WASHINGTON, Sept 18, 2025 — US Senator Bernie Sanders has become the first senator to openly declare that Israel is carrying out a Gaza genocide, intensifying debate in Washington over America’s longstanding support for its closest Middle Eastern ally.
Speaking on Capitol Hill, the Vermont lawmaker said the humanitarian catastrophe in Gaza could no longer be described in diplomatic terms. “When tens of thousands of civilians are killed, when entire neighborhoods are destroyed, when children are dying from hunger and disease, that is genocide,” Sanders told reporters.
His remarks mark a significant shift in the Senate’s rhetoric, where until now the term Gaza genocide had been largely avoided by senior lawmakers. While a number of House progressives have used the phrase, Sanders’ decision to apply it reflects growing unease within parts of the Democratic Party over US complicity in the conflict.
Growing divide in US politics
The senator’s statement highlights a deepening fault line in American politics. For years, Democrats and Republicans have overwhelmingly supported Israel regardless of the circumstances. But Sanders, who has long pressed for conditioning US military aid, has amplified the voices of progressive lawmakers who insist that the war amounts to a Gaza genocide.
“This is not just about policy disagreements,” said Lara Friedman, president of the Foundation for Middle East Peace. “Sanders has made a moral judgment that the Senate cannot ignore.”
The debate comes as the International Court of Justice weighs South Africa’s case accusing Israel of genocide under international law. That process, combined with mounting evidence of mass civilian deaths, has given greater weight to the use of the term Gaza genocide in global political discourse.
Humanitarian crisis deepens
Conditions in Gaza have been described by aid groups as catastrophic. The United Nations reports more than 35,000 Palestinians killed, with women and children making up the majority of the dead. Over a million residents have been displaced, while hospitals, schools, and basic infrastructure have been destroyed.
The UN World Food Programme says famine-like conditions are spreading rapidly, with children already dying from starvation. Human rights monitors argue that Israel’s blockade and destruction of civilian infrastructure constitute clear evidence of a Gaza genocide, designed to break the capacity of the Palestinian people to survive.
“Genocide is not always carried out with gas chambers,” said Kenneth Roth, former director of Human Rights Watch. “It can also take the form of systematic destruction and deprivation, as we are witnessing in Gaza.”
Israel rejects the charge
Israeli leaders have dismissed the allegations as dangerous distortions. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu accused Sanders of “providing cover for terrorists.” In a televised address, he said Israel’s campaign is focused solely on dismantling Hamas, which he called “a genocidal organization that seeks to annihilate the Jewish state.”
The Israeli government insists its military takes steps to limit civilian casualties, including issuing evacuation warnings and opening humanitarian corridors. Officials argue that Hamas bears responsibility for civilian suffering by embedding fighters in densely populated neighborhoods.
For Tel Aviv, the accusation of a Gaza genocide is not only false but delegitimizes Israel’s right to self-defense in the face of rocket attacks and hostage-taking.
Washington walks a tightrope
The Biden administration has faced increasing scrutiny over its response. While President Biden has expressed “grave concern” over civilian casualties, his administration has continued approving military aid packages and shielding Israel from UN censure.
When asked about Sanders’ comments, White House spokesperson Karine Jean-Pierre avoided the term Gaza genocide but acknowledged the “horrific human suffering” in the enclave. She reiterated Washington’s support for Israel’s security while urging restraint and expanded humanitarian access.
Analysts say Sanders’ intervention will sharpen the debate within the Democratic Party ahead of next year’s elections. Progressive activists have already threatened to withhold support unless Biden takes stronger action to limit US complicity in what they view as war crimes.
International reactions
Sanders’ declaration has reverberated globally. South Africa’s government, which brought the ICJ case, welcomed the remarks. “This recognition by a senior US senator validates our argument that Israel is committing a Gaza genocide,” said Foreign Minister Naledi Pandor.
In Europe, divisions remain stark. Spain and Ireland have taken critical stances toward Israel, with lawmakers describing its campaign as genocidal. But Germany, the United Kingdom, and France continue to back Israel’s right to self-defense while expressing concern about the humanitarian cost.
Regional leaders in the Middle East, particularly in Jordan, Egypt, and Qatar, seized on Sanders’ words to demand a ceasefire and greater accountability. The Arab League issued a statement urging the United States to “end its enabling role” in what it called a Gaza genocide.
Political stakes for Sanders
The senator’s remarks carry both moral and political weight. Sanders has long been critical of US military aid to Israel, arguing that such assistance must be conditioned on human rights compliance. His framing of the conflict as a Gaza genocide represents the strongest language yet from a senior American lawmaker.
“He is giving voice to what many grassroots Democrats, particularly young people, already believe,” said political scientist Shibley Telhami. “For Arab American communities and progressive activists, Sanders has said out loud what the Biden administration refuses to admit.”
Republicans quickly condemned Sanders’ comments. Senator Tom Cotton accused him of “betraying America’s closest ally,” while other GOP lawmakers insisted that branding Israel’s actions as genocide undermines efforts to combat terrorism.
Whether Sanders’ statement leads to policy changes remains uncertain. Congress remains largely supportive of Israel, and bipartisan majorities continue to approve military aid. Still, the senator’s intervention adds momentum to efforts within the Democratic caucus to attach conditions to US assistance.
Human rights advocates hope Sanders’ words will encourage more lawmakers to speak openly. “This is a breakthrough,” said Noura Erakat, a Palestinian-American legal scholar. “Acknowledging the reality of a Gaza genocide is the first step toward ending it.”
As fighting continues with no ceasefire in sight, Sanders’ declaration may prove a turning point in US discourse. By using the word genocide, he has elevated the stakes of the debate — both morally and politically — and placed pressure on the Biden administration to reconcile its values with its foreign policy.
For the people of Gaza, however, recognition alone is not enough. “We appreciate the senator’s courage,” said Palestinian activist Ahed Abu Daqqa, speaking from Rafah. “But what we need is action to stop the killing and end the siege. Words matter, but lives matter more.”
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