Democrats seek unity on Israel, but cracks begin to show
Source: Times of Israel
JTA — The Democratic Party has spent the first couple days of its convention projecting unity on issues from fighting racism to fair trade.
But fissures are showing here on one issue that Democrats have long been united on: the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
Their party, which has long commanded the vast majority of Jewish votes, like the Republican side has defined itself as pro-Israel — ensuring military aid to Israel and defending it on the world stage. But some Democratic delegates believe that should change.
Delegates for Bernie Sanders, many of them young, would like to see America’s sympathies shift from robust support of Israel to outspoken opposition to the oppression of Palestinians. These delegates see opposing Israel’s occupation of the West Bank as of a piece with other human rights issues they champion.
“Absolutely we need to take a stand on the occupation of Palestinians,” said Jennifer Merecki, a Sanders delegate from Montana. “The US should stop funding Israel. They use that money for the oppression of Palestinian people.”
Read more: http://www.timesofisrael.com/democrats-seek-unity-on-israel-but-cracks-begin-to-show/
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