A draft of the Democratic Party platform released on Friday shies away from Bernie Sanders’ calls to promote support for the Palestinian right to statehood, aligning the party more close with Hillary Clinton’s rhetoric about the state of Israel.
The document condemns the movement to boycott, divest and sanction Israel as well as any foreign nation that attempts to harm the Jewish state, stating that America should “ensure that Israel always has the ability to defend itself.”
The document also opposes efforts to “delegitimize” Israel at the United Nations. Democrats also state that while the division of Jerusalem is still up for negotiations, it should remain the country’s capital. The document does not mention whether or not the U.S. embassy should be moved from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem.
“We will continue to work toward a two-state solution of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict negotiated directly by the parties that guarantees Israel’s future as a secure and democratic Jewish state with recognized borders and provides the Palestinians with independence, sovereignty and dignity,” the draft of the platform reads.
On the campaign trail, Sanders made clear that the United States needed to focus on helping further the rights of the Palestinian people and condemn Israeli aggression. While the draft of the platform calls for a two-state solution, there is little rhetoric about the United States aiding the Palestinian people, or condemning Israeli aggression towards Palestinians.
The draft of the platform is not final until it is voted on at the convention in Philadelphia, which begins July 25.
