Bernie Sanders slammed for not attending AIPAC
Prime Minister of Israel Benjamin Netanyahu speaks on screen from Israel, during the AIPAC annual meeting in Washington, DC, on March 26, 2019. Image by Jim Watson/AFP
By Molly Boigon February 24, 2020
Different American Jewish organizations are turning to Twitter to criticize presidential candidate Bernie Sanders for declining to attend AIPAC, the American Israel Public Affairs Committee’s annual conference.
Sanders announced Sunday that he would skip the conference, saying he is “concerned about the platform AIPAC provides for leaders who express bigotry and oppose basic Palestinian rights.”
AIPAC responded by calling Sanders’ comments “truly shameful,” and other organizations followed suit.
Senator Sanders has never attended our conference and that is evident from his outrageous comment.
Full statement: https://t.co/XDcNKhYXSq pic.twitter.com/aJGJiv2wv8
— AIPAC (@AIPAC) February 24, 2020
We flatly reject Senator Sanders’ smears of @AIPAC and will attend its Policy Conference in greater numbers than ever before, led by our CEO, @DavidHarrisAJC.
We are #AIPACProud.https://t.co/PCi1PVBEWh
— American Jewish Committee (@AJCGlobal) February 24, 2020
It’s offensive that @BernieSanders denigrates the @AIPAC policy conference as a platform for bigotry. At a time when we see a surge of real hate across the US, it’s irresponsible to describe AIPAC like this. @ADL proudly will be there. https://t.co/MlK4SgYHfL
— Jonathan Greenblatt (@JGreenblattADL) February 24, 2020
Public officials also offered their disagreements with Sanders’ position.
I’m proud to stand with @AIPAC and with #Israel.
Looking forward to speaking at the conference! https://t.co/NV2qdTqytg
— Rep. Michael Waltz (@RepMichaelWaltz) February 24, 2020
I’ve been involved with @AIPAC since I was in high school. Sad to see @BernieSanders statement on us.PC has always been a diverse, welcoming place! As a liberal, jew&Latina I will continue supporting a strong US-Israel relationship&caring about Palestinians too I’m #AIPACProud ? https://t.co/np1LwuosOj
— (((Rep.Alma Hernandez))) (@almaforarizona) February 24, 2020
Bernie Sanders announces he is not going to @AIPAC. To be clear, has never attended and has no clue what the organization is about or what it stands for. Go back to defending Castro and socialist dictators. We will go back to defending peace, democracy, and our ally Israel.
— Nikki Haley (@NikkiHaley) February 24, 2020
Groups like IfNotNow applauded the Vermont senator’s decision
Thank you Bernie for choosing to #SkipAIPAC! We are grateful for your commitment to freedom and dignity for all Palestinians and Israelis.
To keep up the momentum, sign our petition demanding the other Democratic candidates join Bernie and #SkipAIPAC https://t.co/ptXyCI3nD4
— IfNotNow? (@IfNotNowOrg) February 23, 2020
Molly Boigon is an investigative reporter at the Forward. Contact her at boigon@forward.com or follow her on Twitter @MollyBoigon
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