MSNBC "The Ed Show" - Transcript: Sen. Bernie Sanders on the Middle East Peace Process
Interview
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Let`s turn now to a Senator who did not go to the speech today and that is
Independent Senator Bernie Sanders of Vermont. Senator, good to have you
with us.
Are you troubled by what you heard from the Prime Minister of Israel today?
SEN. BERNIE SANDERS, (I) VERMONT: Well, I`m troubled by a lot. I`m
troubled about Boehner making this a political issue undermining the
President`s ability to conduct foreign policy which is what the
constitution provides for the President to do.
I am disturbed that -- I am disturbed that the President -- that the Prime
Minister was allowed to come before a joint session when he is in the
middle of a very close political election using the Congress. It`s a total
opportunity for his reelection. That bothers me. But also, a lot of the
tone of his speech bothered me as well.
Look Ed, this is complicated stuff. Nobody has a magical answer to it.
But we are now -- this month, are going to commemorate the 12th anniversary
of the war in Iraq. And I remember, you remember, hearing all of these
speeches about how we have to go to war in Iraq, there was no solution. It
would be easy, it was the only way.
The end or result -- the result of that war (ph) was to open up in
incredible kind of worms (ph) plus thousands of brave soldiers, trillions
of dollars.
SCHULTZ: And you think that Netanyahu is part of that sell job?
SANDERS: I think that where we are right now is absolutely Iran cannot get
a nuclear weapon but we have got to go as far as we can to prevent another
war. A war with Iran after a war with Afghanistan, after war with Iraq
would be horrendous for this country and for the entire world.
SCHULTZ: Senator, I didn`t hear any solutions today from...
SANDERS: Precise...
SCHULTZ: ... Mr. Netanyahu, there -- it was fear-mongering and saber-
rattling.
SANDERS: And I`ll tell you -- I mean, it seemed to be that while he didn`t
use it, I think clearly for him, the solution may will be -- that there has
to be an attack against Iran that he does not see any of the solution.
I think the President has made it clear that this is really top
negotiations. We are working with five countries around the world to make
it happen. We have already applied significant sanctions. We`re prepared
to do more.
But I think, we have got to do everything that we can to avoid war with
Iran, will have huge implications for this country and for the world.
I think the President is making progress. He has said, is no guarantee
that in fact these negotiations will succeed. But let`s give these
negotiations an opportunity...
SCHULTZ: Yeah.
SANDERS: ... in fact, to be positive.
SCHULTZ: All right. Senator Bernie Sanders, good to have you with us
tonight. Sir, I appreciate it very much.
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