This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2016, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.

While it seems increasingly unlikely that Bernie Sanders will receive the presidential nomination from the Democratic Party, he deserves to be commended for being brave enough politically to speak up for Palestinian rights. He did so in his debate with Hillary Clinton and in his speech to voters here in Salt Lake City.

You would think acknowledging the fact that, just like Israelis, Palestinians need to be treated with dignity and respect would be obvious. So, too, would be recognizing Palestinian desires for their own peace and security. Unfortunately, very few major politicians have had the political courage to risk the political fallout for uttering even the slightest criticism of Israel's ongoing occupation of the West Bank or its disproportionate use of violence in Gaza.

So kudos to Bernie for helping to present a competing narrative to those of AIPAC, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and far too many pandering U.S. politicians.

Jim Astin

Salt Lake City