US Democratic presidential candidate Bernie Sanders, who is Jewish, has called for a more "balanced" US Middle East policy, describing Israeli regime's war in the Gaza Strip in 2014 as "disproportionate."

"Was Israel's response disproportionate? I think it was," Sanders told CNN's Jake Tapper in an interview that aired Sunday on the "State of the Union" talk show.

“I think that we will not succeed to ever bring peace into that region unless we also treat the Palestinians with dignity and respect, and that is my view," Sanders said.

In early July 2014, Tel Aviv regime waged a war on the Gaza Strip. The 50-day offensive ended on August 26 with a truce that took effect after indirect negotiations in the Egyptian capital Cairo.

Nearly 2,200 Palestinians, including 577 children, were martyred in Israeli regime’s onslaught. Over 11,100 others - including 3,374 children, 2,088 women and 410 elderly people - were also injured.

In the interview, Sanders, a secular Jew, said he hopes to provide a "balanced" view on issues related to Israeli regime and Palestine than most US politicians.

"It is interesting ... that the first Jew in American history to win a delegate, much less a primary, is taking this position with Israel," Tapper told Sanders. "Usually in American politics, everyone just supports Israel whatever Israel wants to do, but you are taking a more critical position."

"I'm taking a more balanced position," Sanders replied.

He added: "Whether you're Jewish or not Jewish, I would hope that every person in this country wants to see the misery of never-ending war and conflict ended in the Middle East. It's a difficult issue and good people have tried to deal with it for years."

MG