Bernie Sanders delivered the speech he would have given at the AIPAC policy conference far from Washington, D.C., at a Salt Lake City campaign rally.
The Democratic socialist claimed that while America must stand by Israel, it also must be “a friend to Palestine.”
“I am here to tell the American people that if elected, I will work tirelessly to advance peace,” Sanders said. “The only prospect of peace is the successful negotiation of a two-state solution.”
As he spoke of the importance of Palestinian civil rights and condemned the actions of Israel and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu during the summer 2014 war, he also condemned Hamas and the Palestinian leadership. The candidate also advocated a two-state solution and resuming the peace process through direct negotiations, a task that will “require compromise on both sides.”
The Vermont senator was the only major presidential candidate on either side of the aisle to skip the annual pro-Israel gathering, citing conflicts with his campaigning schedule. Since AIPAC does not allow presidential candidates to send in a video of their speeches, the Sanders campaign attempted to reach Jewish and pro-Israel voters by speaking over 2,000 miles away from the Washington D.C. convention center.
“Peace will require an unconditional recognition of all people for Israel’s rights to exist. It will require an end to all attacks against Israel … It will require the entre world to recognize Israel,” Sanders said. “But peace also means security for every Palestinian. It means achieving self-determination and civil rights for the Palestinian people. Peace will mean ending the occupation of the Palestinian territories.”
Earlier in the day, Clinton gave a comparatively hawkish speech at AIPAC, touting her unwavering support of Israel and commitment to the nation’s security. Although Sanders was the most critical of Israel of any candidate Monday, he also claimed that he was the only person running with any personal ties to the state as he is Jewish himself.
“I think I am the only candidate for president who has personal ties with Israel,” Sanders said, referencing his time living on a kibbutz.
While the foreign policy speech was held in a small venue and only open to invited guests, the Vermont senator will head to a larger rally directly after finishing his foreign policy speech. Last Friday, Sanders attracted over 14,000 supporters at a Salt Lake City rally.
