Bernie Sanders opened his appearance by satellite from Salt Lake City, Utah, by explaining that he didn't snub AIPAC by being the only current White House hopeful not to address the group Monday, saying it was merely a question of scheduling.

He called for the United States to work with both sides in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. He said Israel should have the right to defend itself but warned conditions in the Palestinian-ruled Gaza Strip need to be mitigated, and that people are contending with high unemployment and "horrific" poverty there.

Still, Sanders said he was "not happy ... with some of the behavior" of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, citing the Israeli leader's decision to accept an invitation to address the U.S. Congress about the Iran nuclear deal without notifying the White House.

Sanders backed Obama's Cuba diplomacy and hinted that it would be proper for Cuban leader Raul Castro to visit the White House.

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