Warren says she’ll push to end Israel’s ‘occupation’

Democratic 2020 U.S. presidential candidate and U.S. Senator Elizabeth Warren (D-MA) speaks during a townhall event in Columbus, Ohio, U.S., May 10, 2019. REUTERS/Maddie McGarvey – RC1C887D1D00

2020 presidential hopeful Sen. Elizabeth Warren told activists Monday that she would push to end the Israeli government’s “occupation” of the West Bank and Gaza.

The left-wing Jewish group IfNotNow posted a video on Twitter of two of its members approaching Warren for a photo at a campaign event in Peterborough, New Hampshire.

One of the activists, identified in the closed captions as “Becca,” said, “Hi we’re American Jews. We really love the way you’re fighting corruption. We’d really love it if you also pushed the Israeli government to end occupation.”

BREAKING: Our members in New Hampshire just asked @ewarren if she would commit to pressuring the Israel to stop their 52 year military Occupation over the Palestinian people.

She said YES. pic.twitter.com/8GLhNMQ2gf

— IfNotNow? (@IfNotNowOrg) July 8, 2019

“Yes. Yes. I’m so there,” Warren responded, and then ushered them into position for a photo.

“In the past, Warren has regularly spoken of Israel as a strong ally in a tough neighborhood and has appeared at AIPAC events and used right-wing talking points,” IfNotNow said in a statement about Warren’s campaign promise. “But as her career has gone on, her views on the issue have grown to be farther in line with her progressive values: She was one of the 60 Democrats to boycott [Prime Minister] Netanyahu’s speech in Congress, she supported the Iran Deal, spoke out against the Embassy move, and opposes efforts to criminalize the BDS movement.”

Our members in NH just asked @BernieSanders if he’s also an anti-Occupation Jew and looks like the answer is YES!

Learn more about us bringing the crisis of Israel’s military occupation over Palestinians to 2020 elections w/this exclusive from @Politico: https://t.co/JrGmtzDZE1 pic.twitter.com/IRhyLCMNgN

— IfNotNow? (@IfNotNowOrg) June 29, 2019

The organization, which is dedicated to “end[ing] American Jewish support for the occupation,” posted a photo last month of activists and fellow 2020 hopeful Bernie Sanders. The caption said that IfNotNow activists “just asked @BernieSanders if he’s also an anti-Occupation Jew and looks like the answer is YES!”

IfNotNow recently became a tax-exempt organization which allows them to engage in political activities. Their goal is to put pressure on the Democratic presidential candidates to pressure the Israeli government.