Democratic Platform on Middle East (2004)

[Boston Critic]

As liberal Democrats we have a long tradition of supporting a safe and secure Israel in the Middle East. This policy has been backed by Democratic presidents from Truman to Clinton. There is a small fringe that wants to demonize Israel -- often over every other nation on the face of the planet -- and insist that it is the blame for all our problems in the Middle East. Now that doesn't mean one can't criticize Israel. Israelis themselves do it all the time. But it does mean that, according to our own party platform, the "blame Israel first, last, and always" crowd is not pursuing Democratic (or democratic) goals at all.

Here's what the platform said:



The Middle East. The Democratic Party is fundamentally committed to the security of our ally Israel and the creation of a comprehensive, just and lasting peace between Israel and her neighbors. Our special relationship with Israel is based on the unshakable foundation of shared values and a mutual commitment to democracy, and we will ensure that under all circumstances, Israel retains the qualitative edge for its national security and its right to self-defense. Jerusalem is the capital of Israel and should remain an undivided city accessible to people of all faiths.

Under a Democratic Administration, the United States will demonstrate the kind of resolve to end the Israeli-Palestinian conflict that President Clinton showed. We will work to transform the Palestinian Authority by promoting new and responsible leadership, committed to fighting terror and promoting democracy. We support the creation of a democratic Palestinian state dedicated to living in peace and security side by side with the Jewish State of Israel. The creation of a Palestinian state should resolve the issue of Palestinian refugees by allowing them to settle there, rather than in Israel. Furthermore, all understand that it is unrealistic to expect that the outcome of final status negotiations will be a full and complete return to the armistice lines of 1949. And we understand that all final status negotiations must be mutually agreed.

http://www.presidency.ucsb.edu/showplatforms.php?platindex=D2004