Since this is Iowa the state is currently being overrun by presidential candidates. After a couple of the talks I've given I've been asked what some of the candidates positions are on Israel and Palestine so I thought I would start compiling some of them. This will take a while I suppose, but I'm going to start.
The Council of Foreign Relations website gives a nice summary of the candidates positions on Israel and Palestine. It can be found at http://www.cfr.org/publication/13579/
If you prefer a candidate with an even handed approach to Israel and Palestine it may be difficult to find a candidate you can support. In the next week Barak Obama, Chris Dodd and Bill Richardson will be stopping in nearby towns, so perhaps I can ask them their position in person.
Tonight, Hillary Clinton. Some quotes, this one from a speech given to the Woodrow Wilson School of Public and International Affairs, January 19, 2006
"They [American values] include our enduring friendship with Israel, our firm commitment to the security and well-being of our own people, our friends and our allies, and a belief that dreams of democracy and human rights are ones that America can and must help make real. The security and freedom of Israel must be decisive and remain at the core of any American approach to the Middle East. This has been a hallmark of American foreign policy for more than 50 years and we must not — dare not — waver from this commitment."
I believe Prime Minister Sharon will be remembered for his life-long commitment to Israel's security and his own remarkable journey that led him to the conclusion that Israel would be best served by creating the unilateral disengagement from Gaza and the separation of the Israelis from the Palestinians. But we will also remember and admire the strength and stability of the state of Israel and its people at such a challenging time.
The elections to be held by the Palestinians will, in the best case, lead to the emergence of a responsible, capable leadership that can rise to these security challenges. That is really what is on the ballot: whether or not the Palestinians are capable of creating an effective government and moving away from explicit and implicit support for terrorism and forward, toward peace and stability. What is not on a ballot, and cannot be put into question, is Israel's right to exist and exist in safety. These two elections in Israel and among the Palestinian are turning points. No more excuses for the Palestinians. They have to demonstrate clearly and unequivocally their commitment to a peaceful future and they have to also demonstrate their ability to deliver services to their people." Hillary Clinton
The complete speech can be found at http://www.senate.gov/~clinton/news/statements/details.cfm?id=250529
An interesting article describing Clinton's visit to Israel in November 2005 can be found at this website: http://www.nytimes.com/2005/11/13/nyregion/metrocampaigns/13hillary.html
It describes her support for the separation wall and the move of Israels capital to Jerusalem.
When different candidate representatives call they generally ask what issues I care most about or what questions I have. When a young man from Clinton's campaign called I told him I was concerned about her position of Israel and Palestine. When I told him I had been in the West Bank, he responded with "I know, its something I have problems with as well." So if you are interested in voting for someone who will be a strong supporter of Israel, Clinton is probably your person.
If on the other hand you want to support a candidate who has a more balanced position, and who seems to be understanding of the situation many Palestinians find themselves in, I would strongly encourage you to look to another candidate.
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