The Democratic Party of Hillary Clinton is poised to reject the drive to undermine Israel’s existence known as the BDS movement.
As the Democrats move toward nominating Clinton, their leaders have drafted a platform that would also stop the party from destructively setting benchmarks for neogtiations between the Israelis and the Palestinians by calling for “an end to occupation and illegal settlements.”
Drafters included representatives of Bernie Sanders, who pushed the Democrats to adopt his philosophies — including positions that hold Israel guilty of oppressing Palestinians.
More evenhandedly, the draft platform reportedly states that “a just and lasting Israeli-Palestinian accord, producing two states for two peoples, would contribute to regional stability and help sustain Israel’s identity.”
Most striking, the draft commits the Democrats to support “retaining [Israel’s] qualitative military edge” in the region, and says Democrats will “oppose any effort to delegitimize Israel, including at the United Nations or through the Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions Movement.”
Tinged with anti-Semitism, the BDS movement accuses Israel of human rights violations, basically for the sin of existing. The most ardent supporters look toward ending Israel’s nature as a Jewish state through the economic pressure of boycotts, disinvestment and sanctions.
Clinton has steadfastly opposed the BDS movement, even as the party’s left wing has rallied to the cause. The Democrats must follow her leadership at their convention in Philadelphia.