I cannot think of a single American politician that I have loved and trusted and worked harder for than Bernie. That's why it's so painful for me to write this letter.
Comments are open to all. Be respectful or you will be banned. This was very hard for me to write. I let it sit in my drafts for weeks until today. The UN has declared it a genocide and Bernie hasn't. It's time.
I, like the other commenters feel your empathy and love for Bernie Sanders. I did not realize he hadn’t officially called it a genocide. Watching him speak across the country, I must have misinterpreted his criticism of Netanyahu. I thought he had called it a genocide. I hope he does soon. Netanyahu has to be held accountable. He and Trump seem to be leading us into WWIII. Like Trump, Netanyahu is holding on to power to keep from being prosecuted. Bernie, call it what it is…A genocide of the Palestinian people by bombing and starving them which are war crimes
I am confused. I also thought Sanders was 💯 against the genocide. Did I mistake Sanders calling arsenal shipments be stopped? It's definitely genocide, it didn't have to be ‘called.’ Any normal human could/can see with their own eyes what has been taking place. At least for those of us who haven't turned a blind eye.
See my earlier comment. Sadly, people will nitpick on the dictionary definition of "genocide." As if it's more important to look like a genius when it comes to labels than it is to feel empathy and righteous outrage for the clear annihilation of a people.
Shaun King. You are a living Saint, faith in action, unconditional love manifested. This is an important letter you sent to Sanders one of the few politicians I respected and supported in my life. Yet he is terribly flawed in his inability to name the problem in alignment with probably the majority of the world. I wrote to most of my politicians and received the same disgusting soulless justification for this carnage. Sadly there are only about 10 politicians on the hill with a moral backbone. Clearly Problem resolution begins with problem recognition.
I will share both your posts on this topic with my network on my daily Palestine vigil. Here is my introduction:
On day 711 of OUR genocide in Gaza the UN finally agrees something most of the civilized world has known; it can no longer be denied, or debated, or justified or censored or rationalized or ignored. It’s not “biblical” or god’s will, or karma, simply a “conflict”, nor does this carnage have deeper metaphysical or theosophical or Cabalistic meaning as we hear from some spiritual leaders. It is unequivocally a vicious genocide.
Shaun, You are in my deepest prayers. May God bless you and keep you safe.
He is not too busy to talk to a dear friend for months! Hard to believe he would be afraid, after everything he has stood up for with courage. My only guess is that he is torn, for some unknown reason, feeling conflicting loyalties as a Jew…
But so many of us believe that it would be betraying our deepest Jewish values NOT to call this a genocide and fight against the PTSD and generational trauma that causes this continuing carnage!
We are with you, Shaun, in your grief and your pain. Thank you for naming it so lovingly and clearly. I hope Bernie can finally respond.❤️
As Jews, we need to stand up and denounce the Genocide occurring. It is not in the Torah to kill and conquer-You are right- Our values say to stand up and say "Never Again"
Thank you for writing this letter to Senator Bernie Sanders. As of two hours ago, the media has published that Senator Bernie Sanders has officially called the ethnic cleansing in Gaza a genocide.
Sanders calls war in Gaza a ‘genocide’ for the first time today: Wednesday, September 17, 2025.
How come the Likud is not labeled as a terrorist organization that began this war in the West Bank with targeted assassinations, and that the whole IDF is a terrorist entity, and all must be dismantled and brought to justice? Bernie is still on the wrong side of history, and he knows delaying his voice for two years is similar to Joe Biden waiting until May 2024 to call for a cease-fire because he knew he was going to lose the election.
Sadly, some will say better late than never. However, did we need to wait until over 600K Palestinian lives were taken, six times the victims of Hiroshima and Nagasaki; the world will say no. Also, when the Zio occupiers decide to target and attempt to assassinate the negotiating team in Qatar, that should be more than enough evidence that the Zionists are nothing but cowardly genocidal thieves.
“The truth is, whether you call it genocide or ethnic cleansing or mass atrocities or war crimes, the path forward is clear. We, as Americans, must end our complicity in the slaughter of the Palestinian people,” the Vermont Independent wrote.
Thank you for writing that letter, Shaun. It absolutely needed to be done. There is no other politician who I have felt more let down by than Bernie, a man I have admired and respected for many years. Perhaps it was my fault to elevate him in my mind or hold him to a high moral standard. But I don't truly believe that. Bernie must do the right thing and call it a genocide. I truly don't understand why he has not done so.
Thank you Shaun. I can’t even imagine how difficult this was for you. I respect Bernie so much and I’m sure it is because of his personal friendships that he is having a hard time naming Palestine a genocide. I worry about offending my Jewish friends also. You are very courageous.
Thank you for calling Bernie out on this. It is painful to me, and I think to many of us, that he has been unwilling to call this a genocide. I would certainly think that, after the UN's declaring it a genocide, he would have to come around.
This is amazing research and scholarly work Shaun. I appreciate the citing and attachment of the research from these organizations. As a nation. we should all be calling this a Genocide especially people like Bernie Sanders
Comments are open to all. Be respectful or you will be banned. This was very hard for me to write. I let it sit in my drafts for weeks until today. The UN has declared it a genocide and Bernie hasn't. It's time.
Well written. I also hope Bernie addresses the genocide for what it is.
Thank you.
I, like the other commenters feel your empathy and love for Bernie Sanders. I did not realize he hadn’t officially called it a genocide. Watching him speak across the country, I must have misinterpreted his criticism of Netanyahu. I thought he had called it a genocide. I hope he does soon. Netanyahu has to be held accountable. He and Trump seem to be leading us into WWIII. Like Trump, Netanyahu is holding on to power to keep from being prosecuted. Bernie, call it what it is…A genocide of the Palestinian people by bombing and starving them which are war crimes
Correct.
I am confused. I also thought Sanders was 💯 against the genocide. Did I mistake Sanders calling arsenal shipments be stopped? It's definitely genocide, it didn't have to be ‘called.’ Any normal human could/can see with their own eyes what has been taking place. At least for those of us who haven't turned a blind eye.
See my earlier comment. Sadly, people will nitpick on the dictionary definition of "genocide." As if it's more important to look like a genius when it comes to labels than it is to feel empathy and righteous outrage for the clear annihilation of a people.
This is an excellently written and supported letter. I can feel your deep respect and grief. I hope he will hear you and act.
Thank you Amy.
Thank you Shaun. This letter is important and urgent.
I appreciate it.
Shaun King. You are a living Saint, faith in action, unconditional love manifested. This is an important letter you sent to Sanders one of the few politicians I respected and supported in my life. Yet he is terribly flawed in his inability to name the problem in alignment with probably the majority of the world. I wrote to most of my politicians and received the same disgusting soulless justification for this carnage. Sadly there are only about 10 politicians on the hill with a moral backbone. Clearly Problem resolution begins with problem recognition.
I will share both your posts on this topic with my network on my daily Palestine vigil. Here is my introduction:
On day 711 of OUR genocide in Gaza the UN finally agrees something most of the civilized world has known; it can no longer be denied, or debated, or justified or censored or rationalized or ignored. It’s not “biblical” or god’s will, or karma, simply a “conflict”, nor does this carnage have deeper metaphysical or theosophical or Cabalistic meaning as we hear from some spiritual leaders. It is unequivocally a vicious genocide.
Shaun, You are in my deepest prayers. May God bless you and keep you safe.
I am just your brother.
So powerful, and what an empathetic invitation at a critical time. Keep healing Shaun.
It was my best effort.
Oh my goodness, I knew nothing of this relationship l, what a beautifully written letter from the truest place THE HEART ❣️
I really hope Bernie reads this and hears this. If you had such a close relationship with him, it is devastating that he can’t even talk to you.
Is he busy or is he afraid? I didn’t think Bernie would be afraid but I have been wrong many times before about anything to do with Israel.
I truly don't know.
He is not too busy to talk to a dear friend for months! Hard to believe he would be afraid, after everything he has stood up for with courage. My only guess is that he is torn, for some unknown reason, feeling conflicting loyalties as a Jew…
But so many of us believe that it would be betraying our deepest Jewish values NOT to call this a genocide and fight against the PTSD and generational trauma that causes this continuing carnage!
We are with you, Shaun, in your grief and your pain. Thank you for naming it so lovingly and clearly. I hope Bernie can finally respond.❤️
I absolutely understand. Thank you for your kind words.
As Jews, we need to stand up and denounce the Genocide occurring. It is not in the Torah to kill and conquer-You are right- Our values say to stand up and say "Never Again"
I shared it with Bernie - he’s clearly a Z enthusiast
Thank you Shaun. I am sickened that Bernie has not denounced the genocide in Gaza.
Asalamu alaikum Shaun
Thank you for writing this letter to Senator Bernie Sanders. As of two hours ago, the media has published that Senator Bernie Sanders has officially called the ethnic cleansing in Gaza a genocide.
https://www.sanders.senate.gov/op-eds/it-is-genocide/
Sanders calls war in Gaza a ‘genocide’ for the first time today: Wednesday, September 17, 2025.
How come the Likud is not labeled as a terrorist organization that began this war in the West Bank with targeted assassinations, and that the whole IDF is a terrorist entity, and all must be dismantled and brought to justice? Bernie is still on the wrong side of history, and he knows delaying his voice for two years is similar to Joe Biden waiting until May 2024 to call for a cease-fire because he knew he was going to lose the election.
Sadly, some will say better late than never. However, did we need to wait until over 600K Palestinian lives were taken, six times the victims of Hiroshima and Nagasaki; the world will say no. Also, when the Zio occupiers decide to target and attempt to assassinate the negotiating team in Qatar, that should be more than enough evidence that the Zionists are nothing but cowardly genocidal thieves.
“The truth is, whether you call it genocide or ethnic cleansing or mass atrocities or war crimes, the path forward is clear. We, as Americans, must end our complicity in the slaughter of the Palestinian people,” the Vermont Independent wrote.
https://www.politico.com/news/2025/09/17/bernie-sanders-israel-gaza-genocide-00569586
Thank you for writing that letter, Shaun. It absolutely needed to be done. There is no other politician who I have felt more let down by than Bernie, a man I have admired and respected for many years. Perhaps it was my fault to elevate him in my mind or hold him to a high moral standard. But I don't truly believe that. Bernie must do the right thing and call it a genocide. I truly don't understand why he has not done so.
Thank you Shaun. I can’t even imagine how difficult this was for you. I respect Bernie so much and I’m sure it is because of his personal friendships that he is having a hard time naming Palestine a genocide. I worry about offending my Jewish friends also. You are very courageous.
Thank you for calling Bernie out on this. It is painful to me, and I think to many of us, that he has been unwilling to call this a genocide. I would certainly think that, after the UN's declaring it a genocide, he would have to come around.
Now he literally has no excuse
This is amazing research and scholarly work Shaun. I appreciate the citing and attachment of the research from these organizations. As a nation. we should all be calling this a Genocide especially people like Bernie Sanders
Thank you. I am not relying on just on my own thoughts here, but the foremost experts in the world
You handled this with compassion, earnestness, and curiosity. Thank you for sharing it with us. Many of us have been heartbroken by Bernie.