Bernie Sanders, the independent senator from Vermont who has long been favored by progressive circles, secured a fourth six-year term in the U.S. Senate after his reelection on Tuesday.

Sanders triumphed over his Republican opponent, Gerald Malloy, a U.S. Army veteran and entrepreneur. Other candidates on the ballot included independent Steve Berry and minor party contenders Mark Stewart Greenstein, Matt Hill, and Justin Schoville.

At 83 years old, Sanders identifies as a democratic socialist and aligns with the Democratic Party. He has previously made strong bids for the Democratic presidential nomination, falling just short on two occasions. In recent years, he has played a key role alongside the Biden administration in shaping policy priorities related to health care, education, child care, and labor rights. Sanders holds the record as the longest-serving independent member of Congress.

During his victory speech, Sanders expressed heartfelt thanks for the overwhelming support from Vermonters. He and his wife Jane were both moved by the generosity they had experienced throughout the campaign.

“So, Vermont, thank you very, very much and I pledge to you to work as hard as I can to protect the best interests of our state and our country,” Sanders remarked, according to WCAX-TV.

Sanders explained that his decision to run for another term was driven by the pressing challenges facing the nation. He highlighted threats to the country’s democratic institutions, the widening wealth gap, the dangers posed by climate change, and the ongoing battles over women’s reproductive rights.

Sanders has been outspoken in his criticism of Israel, particularly regarding its treatment of Palestinians and its policies toward Gaza and the West Bank. Some of his notable statements and actions include:
  1. Opposition to the Gaza Conflict and Military Action: Sanders has repeatedly criticized Israeli military operations in Gaza. He has called for a reevaluation of U.S. military aid to Israel, particularly in light of its actions in Gaza, which he argues have resulted in significant Palestinian civilian casualties. During the Israel-Gaza conflict, Sanders called the Israeli military’s airstrikes “disproportionate.”
  2. Human Rights Concerns: Sanders has been an advocate for Palestinian human rights and has pointed to the Israeli occupation of Palestinian territories as a source of ongoing suffering for Palestinians. He has also been critical of Israeli policies in the West Bank, including the expansion of settlements, which he views as an obstacle to peace.
  3. Two-State Solution: Sanders has supported a two-state solution as the path to peace but has critiqued Israel’s actions that he believes undermine that goal. For instance, he has spoken against the expansion of Israeli settlements in the West Bank, arguing that it makes a two-state solution more difficult to achieve.
  4. U.S. Military Aid to Israel: Sanders has advocated for conditions on U.S. military aid to Israel. He has suggested that American support should be contingent on Israel’s actions regarding Palestinian rights and peace negotiations.
  5. AIPAC and Criticism of Lobbying Groups: Sanders has been critical of the influence of pro-Israel lobbying groups, particularly AIPAC (American Israel Public Affairs Committee), on U.S. foreign policy. He has suggested that the U.S. needs to distance itself from groups that may exert undue influence on policymakers to maintain a more balanced approach to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

{Matzav.com}