US Sen. Sanders condemns bigotry on college campuses

U.S. Sen. Bernie Sanders offered a resolution on Tuesday condemning anti-Semitism, Islamophobia and other forms of bigotry on college campuses and underscoring the need to protect students' First Amendment rights during protests.

Sanders criticized an earlier resolution introduced by Sen. Tim Scott for not going far enough in addressing these issues.

"No to anti-Semitism. No to Islamophobia. No to all forms of racism and bigotry," he stated.

Sanders' remarks came in the context of ongoing pro-Palestinian protests on college campuses, triggered by events such as the Gaza solidarity camp at Columbia University and calls for divestment from Israel.

Sanders emphasized the importance of protesting injustice in the American tradition and expressed strong opposition to what he described as the Netanyahu government's “unprecedented all-out war against the Palestinian people.”

Sanders pointed to the high number of Palestinian casualties, especially women and children, as the source of the anger that triggered the protests.

Absence of protests in Gaza: Bombed college campuses

He noted the contrast with the absence of demonstrations on Gaza campuses due to the destruction caused by the bombings.

"I want everyone to know that there are no protests on the college campuses in Gaza. You know why? Because every one of the 12 universities in Gaza has been bombed and destroyed," he said during his remarks on the Senate floor.

The senator emphasized that opposition to U.S. policy toward Israel and Gaza extends beyond college campuses and that public sentiment is growing calling for an end to U.S. complicity in the humanitarian catastrophe in the region.

Source: AA