WASHINGTON, Sept. 17 – Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) today released a statement describing why Israel’s illegal actions in Gaza constitute a genocide.

Just yesterday, an independent commission of experts appointed by the United Nations echoed this finding. These experts concluded that: “It is clear that there is an intent to destroy the Palestinians in Gaza through acts that meet the criteria set forth in the Genocide Convention.”

Many other legal experts have reached similar conclusions, including the International Association of Genocide Scholars, the Israeli human rights groups B’Tselem and Physicians for Human Rights-Israel, and international groups like Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch. 

“The conclusion is inescapable: Israel is committing genocide in Gaza,” wrote Sanders. “I recognize that many people may disagree with this conclusion. 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. We must end all arms sales to the extremist Netanyahu government.”

“Further, we must say now and forever that, while wars may happen, there are certain basic standards that must be upheld. The starvation of children cannot be tolerated. The flattening of cities must not become the norm. Collective punishment is beyond the pale,” Sanders continued.

“Having named it a genocide, we must use every ounce of our leverage to demand an immediate ceasefire, a massive surge of humanitarian aid facilitated by the UN, and initial steps to provide Palestinians with a state of their own,” concluded Sanders.

Sanders has forced seven votes on the floor of the United States Senate to stop offensive arms sales to Israel. During the most recent vote, a majority of the Democratic caucus voted with him.

Read Sanders’ full op-ed here.