General Discussion
Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region ForumsBiden Bucks Progressives, Won't Denounce Israeli Occupation
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In early July, Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders and other influential progressives were convinced that they had secured a critical concession from Joe Bidens campaign: For the first time, the Democratic Party platform would assert that Palestinians had a right to live free of foreign occupation, a scarcely veiled reference to Israel.
But days before a draft platform was released on July 15, the presumptive Democratic nominee personally weighed in, according to three sources familiar with the discussion, ordering his advisors not to include any reference to Israeli occupation. The decision, according to these sources, followed heavy last-minute lobbying by pro-Israel advocacy groups. Biden aides subsequently phoned progressive leaders and urged them to drop their demand to declare Israel an occupying power, arguing that the inclusion of the phrase threatened to undermine unity within the Democratic Party.
The question of whether to allow the text to refer to occupation or use the phrase end the occupation was taken to the vice president and he said no, Jason Isaacson, the chief policy and political affairs officer at the American Jewish Committee, told Foreign Policy. This is not an issue on which the party can bend because it would be contrary to the position of Joe Biden.
The retreat reflected the reluctance of the former vice president to reverse decades of staunch support for Israel, even as Biden and his party are expressing growing support for reestablishing diplomatic ties with the Palestinians and reinforcing the need to pay greater heed to Palestinian rights. It also marked something of a victory for the partys establishment, which has sought to preserve close relations with Israel, even as its prime minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, has moved increasingly close to the Republican Party and its standard-bearer, President Donald Trump.
more: https://foreignpolicy.com/2020/08/06/biden-2020-presidential-election-israel-occupation-progressives-sanders/
SCantiGOP
(14,152 posts)Trump just uses Israel as a wedge, but I hate to see the Dem Party accepting Israeli apartheid.
That language is inflammatory and misleading. Israel is bigger than Netanyahu. Biden's positions reflect that realization and are more indicative of the Democratic Party's center of mass than those of the so-called progressives.
Thank you..well stated.
It's about more that Netanyahoo & I'll trust Joe knows more on this foreign policy subject than half the people in this country posting online.
💙#TrustJoeBiden 💙#VoteBiden22020
theaocp
(4,358 posts)Stop being an occupation force, Israel. At least I can say it.
DemocratSinceBirth
(100,013 posts)I am a stalwart supporter of Israel who despises Netanyahu's irredentism and nationalism. I would like the platform to say that a Biden administration would encourage all parties to take steps that bring them closer to a two state solution that reflects the national aspirations of the Israelis and Plalestinians.
Response to Jose Garcia (Original post)
DemocratSinceBirth This message was self-deleted by its author.
Proud Liberal Dem
(24,766 posts)but I understand that it's Election Season, so he has to stake out more solid territory. We should push him on this more if (when) he's elected. He's going to be better than Trump on Israel, so that's pretty much all that matters ATM.
Jose Garcia
(2,797 posts)tritsofme
(18,143 posts)Coleman
(920 posts)Oh, yes. They were attacked by their Arab neighbors, Palestinians, Hamas, and Hezbollah. After early setbacks, Israel gained air and ground superiority and pushed their attackers back beyond their borders. Prior to the invasion, to whom did the occupied territories belong. Not the Palestinians, they were parts of Syria, Jordan, and Egypt. The losers of the war. So if Israel were to return the occupied lands, it would be to these 3 countries. Do you think Jordan would give up the West Bank to a Palestinian state? What about Egypt giving up Gaza to Hamas led Palestinians?
Much like the US, Israel has the makings of a progressive state. Highly educated and affluent. But the darkness of ultra conservative religious groups, as well as right wing organizations, and the thirst for power of Netanyahu is a hindrance to the Israeli state. As long as rockets fly out of Gaza and the Palestinians riot, with Hamas proving the violence, Netanyahu or those with a kindred spirit will be in power.
My solution:
1. Israel changes its constitution to become a secular state and bans Netanyahu from government.
2. Except for the Golan Heights, return the occupied territories to the countries from which they came.
3. Jordan and Egypt destroy Hamas.
4. Jerusalem becomes an international city governed and protected by the UN.
abqtommy
(14,118 posts)Mosby
(17,238 posts)Posts about the IP conflict are restricted in GD:
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