Bernie, If You Have Nothing Constructive to Say: Shut Up!
Bernie Sanders' opposition to a ceasefire in Gaza is more than a political misstep, it's a moral failure that tacitly supports ongoing atrocities
The current humanitarian crisis in Gaza is horrifying and the international response to this crisis has been disappointingly weak. But what is perhaps even more disappointing is the response from those who we expect to stand up for human rights and justice. Senator Bernie Sanders' recent statement opposing a ceasefire in Gaza is one such instance that has left many of us disillusioned and infuriated.
On November 2nd, Senator Sanders stated that he opposes a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas. His reasoning was that Hamas, an organization dedicated to turmoil and chaos and to the destruction of Israel, must be defeated. But this argument is flawed, and it ignores the historical context and current reality of the situation in Gaza.
Firstly, it's important to remember that Hamas did not emerge out of a vacuum. It was elected in 2006 in a completely fair and honest election, as noted by former US President Jimmy Carter. This election was pushed for by the US administration, as part of their agenda for promoting democracy. Yet, when Hamas won, the US and Israel responded by imposing a brutal blockade on Gaza, which brought its economy to a standstill.
Gaza, a small strip of land, is one of the world's most densely populated places. Half of its population are children and 70% are refugees from the 1948 war. This blockade, which has been in place for nearly two decades, has led to extreme food insecurity, high rates of unemployment, and a situation that Richard Goldstone, who authored the Goldstone report after Operation Cast Lead in 2008-2009, stated likely qualifies as a crime against humanity.
Despite these challenging circumstances, Hamas has repeatedly attempted to negotiate peace and resolve the conflict with Israel. They have expressed their willingness to accept the international consensus for resolving the conflict, which is a two-state solution along the June 1967 border. But these efforts have been consistently thwarted by Israel. For instance, in 2008, a ceasefire held for several months until Israel broke it, leading to Operation Cast Lead and the death of around 1,400 Palestinians.
Therefore, it is clear that blaming Hamas alone for the current crisis is an oversimplification that ignores the historical and ongoing role of Israeli aggression. Moreover, opposing a ceasefire, as Senator Sanders does, effectively gives Israel carte blanche to continue its indiscriminate bombing of hospitals, schools, and civilians in Gaza.
When Senator Sanders opposes a ceasefire, he essentially endorses the ongoing destruction of Gaza, where over 2.3 million people, half of whom are children, live in what has been likened to a concentration camp. This position is not just politically misguided, it is morally reprehensible.
So, inspired by Norman Finkelstein’s response to Senator Sanders, I say this: If you have nothing constructive to say, it is better to say nothing at all. Your opposition to a ceasefire lends tacit support to the ongoing atrocities being committed in Gaza. It is not enough to simply voice concern over the situation. We need leaders who will take a stand against injustice, not those who will rationalize it. If you cannot contribute to a solution, then at least do not contribute to the problem. In this case, silence would indeed be golden.
If you pay attention to Bernie Sanders long enough it becomes clear he stands up for things he knows will have no chance of coming to be. Black Agenda Report called him a sheepherder a long time ago.