US Democratic presidential candidate Bernie Sanders announced that he will discuss the issue of returning the headquarters of his country's embassy from Jerusalem to Tel Aviv if he wins, while the Israeli Foreign Minister considered Sanders' statements terrifying.
During a televised debate, Sanders said he would reconsider the historic decision of President Donald Trump's administration to move the US embassy to Jerusalem.
In response to a question in this regard, he said, "I will reconsider Trump's historic decision to move the embassy."
Despite declaring his support for Israeli sovereignty, Sanders stressed during the debate the need to increase the focus on the Palestinians.
"I think what our foreign policy in the Middle East should be is to absolutely protect Israel's independence and security, but we cannot ignore the suffering of the Palestinian people," he added.
Sanders is the most prominent contestant to win the Democratic nomination for the 2020 election, followed by billionaire Michael Bloomberg, both of whom are from the American Jewish minority.
In 2018, the United States transferred its embassy in Israel from Tel Aviv to occupied Jerusalem, after Trump's announcement in December 2017 that Jerusalem - both east and west - was considered the capital of Israel.
Trump's decision sparked widespread anger in the Palestinian territories, and Islamic and international condemned reactions.
Intolerance platform
Last Monday, Sanders announced that he would boycott the annual conference of the American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC), the most prominent Zionist lobbying group in the United States, which takes place from March 1-4.
He said that the Israeli people have the right to live in peace and security, as well as the Palestinian people. To bring peace and security to the region. "
He pointed out that opinion polls favor his victory over the Republican president, and said that "the reality is that in order to defeat Trump, we need a candidate who possesses energy and enthusiasm."
In a rare talk about his religion, Sanders said, "I am very proud to be a Jew," but he regretted that "Israel is being led by (Benjamin) Netanyahu (who is) a reactionary racist."
For his part, Israeli Foreign Minister Yisrael Katz said, "Sanders' statements are horrific, and he has a long history of attacking Israel, and the most sacred things of its identity and national security."
"Of course, those who support Israel (in the United States) will not support someone who opposes these things," he added.