Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., on Wednesday labeled Israel's ongoing invasion of the Gaza Strip as a "genocide," echoing international critics of the Netanyahu government and joining the ranks of American politicians condemning the conduct of the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) in the nearly two-year-long conflict.

Sanders, who is Jewish, has long criticized the Israeli government, but refrained from labeling its assault on Gaza as a genocide until now. While Sanders asserted that Israel maintained the right to defend itself in response to the Oct. 7, 2023, Hamas attack, he insisted that Israel "has waged an all-out war against the entire Palestinian people."

He further concurred with the sentiment of a UN-based commission, which found "there is an intent to destroy the Palestinians in Gaza through acts that meet the criteria set forth in the Genocide Convention.”

"I agree," he bluntly stated.

He pointed to leaked Israeli assessments that as much as 83% of casualties in Gaza since the conflict began have been civilians. Sanders also noted Israel's limitation on humanitarian aid to the coastal enclave.

"The intent is clear. The conclusion is inescapable: Israel is committing genocide in Gaza," he stated.

Israel has steadily lost public support in polling since the war began, with the country losing its backers on both the political right and left. Sanders notably joins MAGA firebrand Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, R-Ga., in labeling Israeli conduct as "genocide."

The International Criminal Court, for its part, has issued arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and other members of his government. Some Republican lawmakers have faced allegations of hypocrisy for condemning the ICC's issuance of the Netanyahu warrant after previously endorsing the international body's attempts to arrest Russian President Vladimir Putin.

While the Republican Party and its leadership remain steadfastly supportive of Israel, in general, growing dissatisfaction among younger Republicans over the party's perceived prioritization of Israeli interests over those of Americans has given rise to dissident influencers such as Nick Fuentes, many of whom advocate for a complete break with that country.

Ben Whedon is the Chief Political Correspondent at Just the News. Follow him on X.