Coalition for Jewish Values (CJV), representing over 2,500 traditional, Orthodox rabbis in American public policy, today harshly condemned the introduction of S. Res. 504 by Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-VT) demanding a report on “Israel’s human rights practices” from the Secretary of State, which could then be used to withhold military aid as Israel combats the genocidal Hamas terror organization that, on October 7, slaughtered 1,200 civilians as part of it 18-year campaign to terrorize and destroy the Jewish People.

CJV Vice President Rabbi Dov Fischer made the following statement:

This resolution will be defeated handily and by a bipartisan majority, but its very introduction grants credence to the notion that Israel, a democratic ally whose military comprises both Jewish and Arab soldiers, and which makes unparalleled efforts to avoid civilian casualties, might be committing war crimes or be unworthy of aid as it acts to eradicate a genocidal threat to its citizens.
 
Requests for reports under the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 are exceedingly rare. The United States could as soon investigate its own efforts to eliminate ISIS or the current Houthi threat to Red Sea shipping, as to use this pretense to target Israel. Sadly, Sen. Sanders distinguishes himself today as an outcast from the Jewish community, one who shamelessly exploits his Jewish identity in order to promote antisemitic attitudes and behaviors.

Photo Credit: Gage Skidmore on Wikimedia