Posted on 08/26/2004 9:25:45 PM PDT by Cinnamon Girl
President Bush waves to reporters as he arrives at the White House on Thursday in Washington. The Republican Party's draft reiterates Bush's commitment that under any final-status agreement, Palestinian refugees will not be resettled in Israel. (AP)
WASHINGTON - The Republican Party's draft platform on Israel reiterates President George Bush's commitment that under any final-status agreement with the Palestinians, Palestinian refugees will not be resettled in Israel and Israel will not be compelled to return to the 1949 armistice lines.
The draft was published Thursday in advance of the party's convention, which opens in New York on Monday. The platform, about half of which is devoted to foreign policy, also calls on the Palestinian Authority and the Arab states to democratize and fight corruption and terror.
"The Republican Party," the draft states, "shares President Bush's commitment to the security of America's democratic ally Israel. We remain committed to ensuring that Israel maintains a qualitative edge in defense technology over any potential adversaries."
"We believe that terror attacks against Israelis are part of the same evil as the September 11 attacks against America," it continues. "We recognize Israel's right to defend itself in the face of homicide bombings and other attacks against the people of Israel."
Most of the Republican platform on Israel differs little from the Democratic platform. The Democrats, for instance, also adopted the commitments made by Bush in his April 14 letter to Prime Minister Ariel Sharon regarding the non-return of refugees and allowing Israel to keep the major West Bank settlement blocs.
However, the Republican platform also includes a condemnation of the UN's "unacceptable discrimination against Israel" and says that the party, if elected, will work to change this. It also calls for halting government funding of the International Red Cross as long as that organization continues to exclude Israel's Magen David Adom.
This Jew is voting Bush.
ANSWER Communist March and Anti- American Rally.
They will be...and already are...in NYC in force as they were on the Left Coast.
Hopefully the Police will do the right thing.
And why not?
They baited the cops for about an hour before they "arrested" the terrorist supporters.
And then they let them go...
The Protest Warriors got a few jabs in.
They just don't get it though.
Ironic isn't it that the ONLY place that Arabs and Muslims have any vestige of peace and safety and rights is in the country of Israel...which they HATE!
Still, I should love to see Bush win their votes. I believe he has more to be a worthy alley and friend to Israel.
This is just great. Clearly there is a fundamental understanding that the so-called "right of return" is nothing more than a plan to destroy Israel. I am so pleased with these positions.
Bingo
GWB has done more to secure our borders in the past 3 years than all the Presidents over past 40 years combined
When I saw 'Lebanon' I was thinking 'Jordan'.
>> Too bad that 75% of US Jews will still vote for Kerry.
Those are secular Jews, which means they are not Jews. This is discussed in the Bible, as follows: "...I know the blasphemy of them which say they are Jews, and are not, but are the synagogue of Satan." -- Revelation 2:9. See also Revelation 3:9.
Won't they vote mostly by area?
In the north east Kerry.
South east and south west Bush.
Flyover country Bush.
Left coast I don't understand at all.
Who is the National Jewish Democratic Council and why should I believe their survey?
Yes, here in the East, many of the old-time first generation ethnics vote Democrat. That would include Catholics as well as Jews. They vote in tradition of FDR. It's not really just a Jewish thing. I see these voters everyday, and they really do believe that the Democrats are for the working man.
What a bunch of boneheads.
Are you a Kerry for President fan, or are you just outspoken to the negative through frustration?
Frustration!
Bingo. I think that's the perfect way to label the phenomenon.
MM
the Republican platform also includes a condemnation of the UN's "unacceptable discrimination against Israel" and says that the party, if elected, will work to change this. It also calls for halting government funding of the International Red Cross as long as that organization continues to exclude Israel's Magen David Adom.These are all great! But was anything said about Israel's illegal exclusion from UN regional groups?
Essentially, I believe the committee assignments, like security council participation, are a function of the regional groups.
Selections from the Republican Platform. A bit of recycling on the Embassy. And the complete Dem platform.
The Middle East and Persian Gulf
we must ensure that Israel remains safe and secure.
It is important for the United States to support and honor Israel, the only true democracy in the Middle East. We will ensure that Israel maintains a qualitative edge in defensive technology over any potential adversaries. We will not pick sides in Israeli elections. The United States has a moral and legal obligation to maintain its Embassy and Ambassador in Jerusalem. Immediately upon taking office, the next Republican president will begin the process of moving the U.S. Embassy from Tel Aviv to Israels capital, Jerusalem.
The United States seeks a comprehensive and lasting peace in the Middle East. America can use its prestige to encourage discussions and negotiations. But peace must be negotiated between the parties themselves. We will not impose our view or an artificial timetable. At the heart of the peace process is the commitment to resolve all issues through negotiation. A unilateral declaration of independence by the Palestinians would be a violation of that commitment. A new Republican administration would oppose any such declaration. It will also do everything possible to promote the conclusion of a genuine peace in the Middle East. While we have hopes for the peace process, our commitment to the security of Israel is an overriding moral and strategic concern.
Republicans endorse continued assistance and support for countries that have made peace with Israel led by Egypt and Jordan. We appreciate the significant contributions by Jordan to our common struggle against terrorism, and will take steps to bolster relations with Amman including negotiating a U.S.-Jordan Free Trade Agreement.
The next Republican administration will use its diplomatic influence to put an end to a pattern of discrimination that persists at the United Nations in denying committee assignments to Israel. It will do the likewise at the International Red Cross which refuses to accredit the symbol of Magen David Adom, Israels equivalent of the Red Cross. Moreover, Republicans oppose the ideological campaign against participation by the Vatican in U.N. conferences and other activities.
Reported to be in platform (I cant find it): We believe that terror attacks against Israelis are part of the same evil as the September 11 attacks against America, We recognize Israel's right to defend itself in the face of homicide bombings and other attacks against the people of Israel. .
The Democratic Platform for America: Presented to the 2004 Democratic National Convention
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.
Sorry, CG, but you may as well get used to it.
The same thing happens all the time (without fail, I might add) when the discussion concerns black people.
I don't know if people just can't help themselves sometimes.
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