U.S. Senator Bernie Sanders has ignited a political firestorm, accusing Washington of bankrolling war while surrendering its foreign policy independence.
In a blistering statement, Sanders said the United States provided more than $24 billion in taxpayer funds to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu for the war in Gaza — “and that was not enough.”
According to Sanders, Netanyahu sought a broader regional conflict, including confrontation with Iran, and former U.S. President Donald Trump gave him that opportunity.
“The United States must decide its foreign policy based on the interests of the American people — not the agenda of Netanyahu’s right-wing government,” Sanders declared, drawing applause from anti-war advocates and sharp criticism from political opponents.
The remarks come amid heightened tensions in the Middle East and ongoing debate in Washington over military aid, regional security, and America’s global role. Sanders, a longtime critic of large military expenditures and foreign interventions, framed the issue as one of sovereignty and accountability.
“American taxpayers should not be writing blank checks for endless wars,” he argued, insisting that Congress — not foreign leaders — must set the nation’s course.
The statement has further polarized an already divided political landscape, with supporters praising Sanders for challenging U.S. military involvement abroad, while critics accuse him of oversimplifying complex geopolitical realities.
As Washington navigates turbulent alliances and rising regional tensions, Sanders’ message underscores a broader question gripping Capitol Hill: Who truly shapes America’s foreign policy — elected U.S. leaders, or the pressures of global partnerships?
The debate is far from over.
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