The Campaign
The Trump administration has upended decades of bipartisan support for a negotiated resolution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, with the Israeli government responding by rejecting the two-state solution, accelerating settlement expansion, and veering towards annexation in the West Bank. As we gear up for the 2020 election, we need a bold, progressive, responsible platform that reflects our values and repudiates the Trump agenda — providing a clear vision for the future of American diplomatic leadership. That is why J Street U is calling for the Democratic Party’s platform to recognize the reality on the ground in this conflict and to reflect the Democratic Party’s values.
Past party platforms have rightly stated a commitment to Israel’s security and included condemnations of threats and actions against our ally, but have been totally silent on the rights of Palestinians, Israeli actions that undermine those rights and the prospects for a two-state solution, and the need for security for both peoples. Party platforms should end this double standard by expressly stating both a commitment to Israel and its security and a commitment to Palestinian rights. They should include clear opposition to the ongoing occupation, settlement expansion, and unilateral annexation of territory in the West Bank.