Heritage Florida Jewish News - Central Florida's Independent Jewish Voice

(JNS)—Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.), the frontrunner in the Democratic presidential primary, skipped the annual AIPAC Policy Conference.

“The Israeli people have the right to live in peace and security,” said Sanders. “So do the Palestinian people. I remain concerned about the platform AIPAC provides for leaders who express bigotry and oppose basic Palestinian rights. For that reason I will not attend their conference,” he tweeted. “As president, I will support the rights of both Israelis and Palestinians and do everything possible to bring peace and security to the region.”

The annual pro-Israel event took place from March 1-3, with the final day falling on Super Tuesday, where 14 states held presidential primaries.

AIPAC immediately criticized Sanders.

“Senator Sanders has never attended our conference and that is evident from his outrageous comment,” said the pro-Israel lobby in a statement. “In fact, many of his own Senate and House Democratic colleagues and leaders speak from our platform to the over 18,000 Americans from widely diverse backgrounds—Democrats, Republicans, Jews, Christians, African-Americans, Hispanic Americans, members of the LBGTQ+ community—who participate in the conference to proclaim their support for the U.S.-Israel relationship.”

“By engaging in such an odious attack on this mainstream, bipartisan American political event, Senator Sanders is insulting his very own colleagues and the millions of Americans who stand with Israel,” continued AIPAC. “Truly shameful.”

Senator Sanders has never attended our conference and that is evident from his outrageous comment.