In a powerful response to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's recent claims of a surge in antisemitism at American universities, US Senator Bernie Sanders has accused Netanyahu of using antisemitism as a distraction from his government's controversial policies. In a video posted on social media, Sanders, who is Jewish himself, criticized Netanyahu's tactics, calling them an insult to the intelligence of the American people.

Referring to the military offensive in Gaza, Sanders pointed out that it is not antisemitic or pro-Hamas to criticize the actions of the Israeli government. He highlighted the staggering human toll of the conflict, stating that over 34,000 Palestinians, including a significant number of women and children, had been killed, with thousands more suffering from injuries. Sanders also condemned the destruction of infrastructure, hospitals, universities, and schools, as well as the alarming number of health workers who lost their lives.

Sanders, who previously sponsored an unsuccessful bill to make US aid to Israel conditional on human rights and international law observance, accused Netanyahu's government of obstructing humanitarian aid to Gaza, resulting in a dire situation where children face malnutrition and famine. Calling out Netanyahu's administration as extremist and racist, he reiterated that it is not antisemitic to hold them accountable for their actions.

Netanyahu, in his video, claimed that "antisemitic mobs" have taken over leading American universities, citing instances of attacks on Jewish students and faculty and calling for unequivocal condemnation. The backdrop of tensions in universities was further emphasized with pro-Palestinian protests and the reported arrest of faculty members. Jewish students have reported feeling threatened during these demonstrations.

The ongoing conflict between Israel and Palestine, triggered by Hamas's attack last October, has been met with Israel's military response, resulting in a significant loss of life in Gaza. Netanyahu insisted that Israel is being falsely accused of genocide and labeled it as part of an antisemitic surge. However, Sanders argued that Israel's attempts to defend itself are often portrayed as war crimes and starvation, contributing to a cycle of vilification and slander.

The Biden administration has faced pressure to condition or limit weapon supplies to Israel but has expressed frustration over its resistance to allowing more humanitarian aid into Gaza. The White House has also criticized recent strikes that took the lives of workers from charity organizations.

Meanwhile, protests on campuses across the United States continued over the weekend, with tensions rising between student bodies and university authorities. Instances of antisemitic slurs were reported during these protests, leading to the clearing of protest tents at Northeastern University in Boston.

Lawrence Summers, a former Harvard president and ex-US treasury secretary, voiced his criticism of Harvard University's handling of the situation, accusing the institution of failing to address issues of prejudice and breakdowns of order on campus. His comments drew a sharp response from critics of Israel, who argued that students challenging Israeli actions should be commended for their courage and compassion.

The debate surrounding the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and accusations of antisemitism on American campuses continues to escalate, with powerful figures like Bernie Sanders and Benjamin Netanyahu occupying opposing sides of the argument. The impact of these heated discussions on US-Israeli relations and the state of free speech on college campuses remains a contentious issue that requires careful attention.