Bernie Sanders believes that for too long America has been “just pro-Israel”; he appears not to know of the many episodes when America was not in Israel’s camp, from President Eisenhower threatening in 1956 to cut aid to Israel unless it withdrew – it did – from the Sinai, to Carter and Brzezinski cruelly bullying Menachem Begin during the negotiations over the Camp David Accords, to Samantha Power, Obama’s UN Ambassador, abstaining rather than vetoing a Security Council Resolution that claimed Israeli settlements were illegal. He also claims that we have been unfair to the Palestinians, and that he would change all that. Sanders has apparently forgotten the billions of dollars in American aid that has been given to those Palestinians, who have been most ungrateful, and the many efforts made by American presidents to promote peace agreements between Israel and the Palestinians that ended in failure because Arafat and the other Palestinian leaders were not satisfied with an Israeli offer of 95%, or even 97%, of the West Bank.
Bernie continued in his remarks at a town hall in Nevada:
“We’ve got to pay attention to both [Israel and the Palestinians] and by the way, it’s not a dissimilar situation with regard to Iran and Saudi Arabia. For years, we have loved Saudi Arabia, our wonderful ally. Only problem is the people run that country are murderous thugs,” he said.
The social democrat senator said instead of “being really cosy” with “the billionaire dictator”, Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Washington should facilitate a dialogue between Iran and the kingdom to end their proxy wars in the Middle East.
Saudi Arabia has not been treated as “our wonderful ally” for some time. But there is a recognition that the Saudi Crown Prince, however ruthless he has been in disposing of perceived enemies of the regime, such as Jamal Khashoggi, has also instituted some far-reaching social reforms. The most important have been those that allow Saudi women to leave their houses without a male escort, and to drive by themselves, again without a male guardian. MBS has also clamped down on the powers of the religious police, the Mutaween, a move which angered some powerful clerics — Mohammed bin Salman managed to face them down. He helped organize a boycott of Qatar by other Gulf Arab states, because of that country’s support for the Muslim Brotherhood – an organization that the Saudi rulers fear and detest — and because of Qatar’s ties to Iran.
Iran poses the greatest threat to America and to its interests in the Middle East. In this great contest with Iran, Saudi Arabia has been the closest Arab ally of the U.S. Sanders is unwilling to recognize this. Saudi intervention in Yemen has so far prevented a takeover by the Shi’a Houthi, who are proxies for Iran. Were the Houthis to prevail, Iran would be able to establish bases in Yemen, as it has tried to do in Syria (though the Israelis keep bombing those bases, and so far have foiled Iran’s plans). Such bases belonging to a hostile Iran would threaten Saudi Arabia, which lies just to Yemen’s immediate north, including its oil facilities, as well as shipping – especially that of Israel — through the Red Sea. The Saudi Crown Prince has also been clear that he views Israel as an ally against Iran, and has been collaborating on intelligence matters with the Jewish state. Saudi papers have been printing the work of journalists who are noticeably pro-Israel in their orientation, with some even urging the government to recognize the Jewish state. So Sander’s sarcasm about “our wonderful ally” is wrongheaded; Saudi Arabia may not be “wonderful,” but it has been, and continues to be, a useful ally in the Middle East, far more useful, for example, than NATO member Turkey.
“We can bring the Saudis and the Iranians together. Tell them that we’re sick and tired as a nation, spending trillions of dollars on endless wars, they’re gonna have to get their act together, and we have the resources to help bring that about,” Sanders said.
How in god’s name does Bernie Sanders think he can “bring the Saudis and the Iranians together”? The conflict between Shi’a and Sunnis is more than 1,300 years old. How does Sanders, not just a kuffar but also a Jew, propose to heal this deep rift based, as it is, both on a historical quarrel over the line of succession to Muhammad, and on differences in theology?
Does Sanders think that Iran and Saudi Arabia are equally to be deplored? It is Iran that has extended its tentacles throughout the Middle East, into Iraq, Lebanon, Syria, and Yemen. It is Iran, not Saudi Arabia, that holds endless “Death to America” and “Death to Israel” rallies. It is Iran, not Saudi Arabia, that is working to acquire nuclear weapons, for possible use against Israel, against America, or against the Saudi oilfields.
Sanders says “they’re gonna have to get their act together.” What does that mean? Does Sanders expect that Iran will change its ways, and become a lion now willing to lie down with the putative Saudi lamb, in a Middle Eastern version of “The Peaceable Kingdom”? Exactly how would he bring this about? What would it mean for the Saudis to “get their act together”? Would they do this by easing to defend their own interests in Yemen, that is, ending their fight against the Houthis? By stopping their support for Sunnis in Iraq who have been put on the defensive by Iranian-backed Shi’a militias? By no longer trying to halt the terrorist group, Hezbollah, from taking over Lebanon? By ceasing to collaborate with the government in Israel? Does Sanders think it a good or a bad thing that Saudi Arabia and what he calls that “right wing” and “racist” Israeli government have come to an understanding on common security threats?
And what would it mean for Iran “to get [its] act together”? Would the Islamic Republic rulers, suddenly prodded by the likes of Bernie Sanders, decide to pull back from supporting with guns and money Shi’a proxies in Yemen, Syria, Iraq, and Lebanon? Would it shut down its entire nuclear project, into which it has already poured billions of dollars? Would Iran’s rulers agree to give the Iranian people the liberties that so many have been demanding in their anti-government protests? Would Iran stop inciting its own people to hate the Great Satan, America, and the Little Satan, Israel? If Iran did all those things, in getting “its act together,” how long, do you think, the Tehran regime would last? Sanders likes the idea – he’s mentioned it before – of just putting representatives of Saudi Arabia and Iran in a room, and then Bernie Sanders, would tell them “to get their act together,” then shut the door and let the two parties out only once they had come to an agreement. 1,300 years of Sunni-Shia strife would end, all because he, Bernie Sanders, told the Iranians and the Saudis “to get their act together.” He apparently thinks America has that kind of influence over both Iran and Saudi Arabia, sufficient to make them make peace with one another, like refractory schoolboys finally brought to heel by a stern schoolmaster. That view is palpably absurd.
We have no real idea what Bernie Sanders means when he says, so offhandedly, “they’re gonna have to get their act together.” But that is not the worst. The worst is that he has no idea either, of what his own words could or should mean.
He did recognize that the American government had spent trillions of dollars in “endless wars” in Iraq and Afghanistan. That’s the one element in his foreign policy that is to be applauded: that he is keenly aware of the huge sums we have wasted in Iraq and Afghanistan, in our vain attempt to turn Muslim lands into Western-style advanced democracies. He obliquely recognizes that almost all Muslim states are run by despots, but does not understand why despotism is the default position for governments in Muslim lands. Here’s why: we in the non-Muslim West judge the legitimacy of our government by how well they reflect the will of the people, as expressed in free elections. Islamic jurisprudence is quite different. In Islamic countries, a ruler is to be obeyed if he reflects the will of Allah, as expressed in the Qur’an. He may be a despot, but he must be a good Muslim.
Sanders owes it to himself, and to voters, to take some time to study the Arab-Israeli conflict. He should read the Mandate for Palestine (especially the Preamble, and Articles 4 and 6), look at the Mandate maps to see what territory was assigned to the Jewish National Home, and consider how, in Article 80 of its Charter, the U.N. accepted responsibility for carrying out the Mandate’s provisions.He should also look at U.N. Resolution 242, with its insistence that Israel be allowed to create “secure [i.e. defensible] and recognized boundaries” for itself. Then he might delve into the question of when, and why, the “Palestinian people” were created. Finally, he must recognize his own need to engage in the study of the Qur’an and Hadith, in order to comprehend how Muslims regard non-Muslims. He would soon realize, to his no doubt unspeakable dismay, that the Qur’an is full of verses expressing contempt and hatred for Jews and other non-Muslims. He would come across verses commanding Muslims to engage in violent Jihad, until the entire world becomes subject to Islam, and Muslims rule, everywhere. If he reads the Qur’an – it’s not an easy read, but a necessary one – he will find more than 100 verses telling the Muslim faithful that they should “fight” and “kill” and “smite at the necks of” and “strike terror in the hearts of” the Infidels. Such study should provide him with a much grimmer, and more realistic, view of the conflict, one which has no end – for Muslims must continue to fight Infidels wherever they are, but most especially, must fight them wherever they are living on land that Muslims once possessed, and so are highest on Islam’s To-Do List of lands to be reconquered. He might even read two books Robert Spencer has recently written, The History of Jihad From Muhammad to ISIS and The Palestinian Delusion, to save himself further confusion and disappointment.
That’s Bernie’s homework assignment: the Qur’an and a selection of the most important Hadith. It will do him a world of good.
Frank Anderson says
H.F. as usual for you, a complete and well-reasoned article, which triggers my invocation of the Proverb (paraphrased) “There are none so blind as those who refuse to see.” I have seen this exact type of deliberate ignorance and have found it cannot be argued, resisted or corrected. The only response that seems to be appropriate is to look for other people who will see, and think. “Deliberate Ignorance constitutes knowledge of the Truth.”
Sanders has had not quite 80 years to find out what he doesn’t know on religion, economics and politics, and has not. Why would he change now?
Mural says
He would still be ignorant even if he lives for another 80 years. Like most liberals, he lacks reasoning faculties.
Frank Anderson says
mural, Many years ago I had a friend, J.B.H., who had a day for me when nobody else had 5 minutes. He loved the quote:
1. A man who knows not, and knows that he knows not is ignorant-Help him learn.
2. A man who knows, and knows not that he knows is asleep-Awaken him.
3. A man who knows, and knows that he knows is wise-Listen to him.
4. A many who knows not, and knows not that he knows not is a fool-RUN.
The 9th Circuit Court of Appeals statement included in its opinion in Wyle v. R.J. Reynolds, available online, says, “Deliberate ignorance constitutes knowledge of the truth.” This man has worked for the destruction of the United States and its Constitution in favor of Communism all his life. Why change now?
Mural says
Great quote. Thanks for sharing.
I understand the gist of it. The last one applies to Bernie. Unfortunately, what I have noticed amongst leftist world-wide is that they latch on to the third quote and consider themselves to be wise and that we should listen to them.
For them, from the eastern school of Lao Tse, this quote applies too : He who knows does not speak,; He who speaks does not know.
There is no topic on earth that the Squad and Bernie find incomprehensible.
Frank Anderson says
Mural, the first time I had the honor and pleasure of visiting a Jewish congregation I heard 3 other quotes that have inspired me ever since:
1. Wisdom is its own authority without regard to who speaks or writes it and without regard to its location.
2. Wisdom is all around us, in the Bible and everywhere else. The challenge is to distinguish the wisdom from the error and deception that always accompany it whenever wisdom is in human hands.
3. ASK every question repeatedly. Each time the question is asked the tarnish of error and deception is reduced, but never eliminated.
People who have wisdom to share should not keep it to themselves. It is the duty of we who wish to learn to examine what we hear. If we only hear the “un-wise” how can we learn wisdom?
My treasured uncle, and father by choice #2 in sequence not rank, loved to tell a story about a boy who helped his father load a wagon with watermelons to take into town for sale. They arrived at the store. Father told the boy to keep his mouth closed so nobody would find out how dumb he was (I would never tell my son that). Father goes into the store. Man comes up, asks the boy how much do they want for those beautiful watermelons. Boy follows instructions. Man asks again. Boy follows instruction. A third time, Man walks away saying, “I’m sorry son. You must be some kind of fool.” Father comes out and finds the boy crying, “Daddy, I did just like you said and he found out I was a durn fool anyway.”
Thank you for giving me an excuse to tell these two treasured stories. I hope you see what I wish, to promote those who have good information to join in the marketplace of ideas so that the liars are not the only speakers.
PRCS says
Worse still, of course: his constituents keep voting for him.
Infidel says
He’s just clinched Nevada. Here’s my prediction: he’s the 2020 Democrat nominee against Trump. It will be a Capitalism vs Communism election this year. Like voting in an election where one’s choices are Reagan and Brezhnev
gravenimage says
Yes–scary stuff.
Rob says
Hey Bernie. Never heard of Sunni v Shia? Saudi is getting closer to Israel because Shiite Iran is seen as the bigger threat.
James Lincoln says
Frank Anderson,
Billy Joel had a song some years back called “Angry Young Man”.
Always made me think of leftists – and more recently socialists like Bernie Sanders.
Most of these people never change – and the last line of Billy song is prescient:
“And he’ll go to his grave as an angry old man.”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M2iNLt_hUZg
Best wishes!
Frank Anderson says
James, Agreed. And best wishes to you.
WithPurpleAbandon says
“We can bring the Saudis and the Iranians together. Tell them that we’re sick and tired as a nation, spending trillions of dollars on endless wars, they’re gonna have to get their act together, and we have the resources to help bring that about,” Sanders said.”
Condoleezza Rice told us pretty much the same ridiculous thing during the Bush administration :
“There’s still a tendency to see these things in Sunni-Shia terms,but the Middle East is going to have to overcome that.”
After more than 1300 years, right ? Just sit around the table, play a few poker games and see who’ll win, best of 20 or so ?
Curious ahistorical shortsightedness of Sanders. The Sunni-Shia divide is the key factor in what makes the whole ME a powder keg. It can’t be resolved. Ever. The Lebanese Civil War (1975-1990) was basically the main indicator of things to come in the future : The whole ME has now been Lebanized.
So, dream on, everyone.
Mural says
Reminds me of a quote attributed to Einstein: The definition of Insanity is to do the same thing and expect different results.
In this case, it is the expectation/hope of liberals that something will change in Middle East or in Islam.
Infidel says
The thing that amazes me about Bernie, and other Leftists, is that of all Islamic entities, the only one that they find loathesome is Saudi Arabia. Not the PLO. Not Hamas. Not Iran. Not Fatah. Not Hizbullah. Not Muslim Brotherhood. Not Tablighi Jamaat. Not CAIR. Not Pakistan. Not Somalia. Not Sudan. Not Yemen. Not Malaysia. Not Qatar.
The only reason Saudi Arabia is (partly jusfifiably) sneered at is it’s willingness to follow US policies to great lengths. Of course, there are limits to that – like they couldn’t get the Arab League to endorse the Trump Peace Plan for the Palestinians
gravenimage says
Bernie Sanders On Iran and Saudi Arabia: “They’re Gonna Have to Get Their Act Together”
………………
Yeah–that’s telling ’em, Bernie! I bet they’ll shape up right away…sarc/off
somehistory says
During the war in Vietnam, it was decided to bring all sides together for “peace talks.” Much was made of this in the news, talked about daily, etc. If I recall correctly, the participants were to meet in Paris.
However, the first thing to put a snag in the conversations that would bring all parties to the “table,” was the table. The shape, that is.
Would it be square, oval, round, rectangle? None of the people who were supposed to figure out a solution to the conflict with the North and South Vietnamese, would give so much as an inch in their feelings about the shape of the table.
The “rift” between arabia and iran is much deeper than ol’ bernie sanders can imagine. Senile and stupid aren’t just words. They are bernie sanders. Everyone should take a hard, long look at his mental shape. And, his total lack of morality when it comes to the sanctity of life.
Frank Anderson says
S.H., with your knowledge of history, has any socialist, national or international (Communist) ever had any concern or regard for individual lives, of their own people much less the people they were about conquering? Seems to me they share the disdain for living people with muslims. Peace be with you.
somehistory says
F.A.,
I read once, a long time ago, that “selfishness” is at the root of all problems between humans.
There was the idea that when a person says, “I’m hungry,” he is thinking of self first as opposed to the one who says, “Are you hungry” to others around him.
Those who live by the communist rules are manifesting this selfishness to a much greater degree than those of us who try to think of others as much as we think of ourselves.
I have a friend who was born in Japan, married to an American. During WWII, her family, consisting of a mom and five young girls, were starving. The mom went without eating so her girls could have every morsel she could obtain and ,subsequently, starved to death.
Not many are that willing to put others first. Certainly not the likes of sanders or his ilk. And certainly not those who adhere to islam.
I hope things go well with you also, thank you.
Frank Anderson says
S.H. I was once confronted with a decision to give up and leave what I had to others, or to continue trying. An honored friend asked me what I would want my father to do if it were him instead of me. Without hesitation, I said I would want him to spend every dime on the chance he could remain with me. (My official adopted father died before I was 9). So I spent the money by going back to school to study accounting, met several lawyers who “coerced” me into helping them start a practice, which taught me how to “fish”. I have restored what I spent and have my “daily bread”. Nothing lavish, but I pay my bills.
I have counselled many clients who destroyed themselves in futile efforts to “help” relatives, usually children. I pound on the teaching that appears in both Old and New Testaments, “You shall love your neighbor AS yourself.” If we do not care for ourselves, we cannot help our neighbor. There must be an honest balance.
In honor of my official adopted father, I claim and accept 7 others as fathers-by-choice, to continue the guiding example to this day.
gravenimage says
Frank Anderson wrote:
I have counselled many clients who destroyed themselves in futile efforts to “help” relatives, usually children.
……………….
So true. My mother mortgaged her house to the hilt and spent much of her retirement money in sending one of my brothers to rehab for his alcohol and drug habits and getting him lawyers when he got into trouble with the law. He was also violent towards her.
One of my other brothers and I did an intervention for our mother when he was in jail. So glad we did.
And I agree with your take on things–it is good to be generous and giving, but not to our own detriment.
somehistory says
I can understand your point. And also that of g.
However, the woman saw an immediate need and she loved her girls more than she loved her life. Someone was not going to get enough to eat and she made the decision.
More important to me is this: “John 15:13, “Greater love has no one than this, that one lay down his life for his friends ” Or for his loved ones, his family.
Yes, we are to “love ourselves” but we can love others so much that we are willing to do what is necessary for them to keep living, even to dying for them…if we have to make that choice.;;rather than to see them die.
Most people don’t have to go that far to show unselfishness, to show love.
But for many, it’s so much easier to put self first, always.
gravenimage says
I take your point, Somehistory. I was not really countering what you had do say in the case of the brave and loving mother in Japan; more adding to it.
tgusa says
Living in an open primary state dominated by law breaking democrats, a place where my vote doesn’t really count I will vote for the end of American prosperity. I am voting for Bernie in my states primary. In an area where my vote doesn’t count I feel that would be the best way to give what the Breadline Bernie supporters desire.
FYI, from the early days I have always been a TRUMP supporter.
Infidel says
Californistan?
peter says
Only way BS is going to change is if he is made to live in Saudi Arabia or Iran as an American Jew! He is beyond redemption