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Background / How Democratic, GOP platforms differ on Israel
By Bradley Burston
Tags: Israel, Obama, McCain, Iran


On first reading, the language of both the Republican and Democratic and Party platform planks on Israel may seem curiously similar.

But there are significant differences in tone and, to an extent, in substance over such issues as the fate of Jerusalem, future borders, and Iran policy, modalities that may become important as the major parties wrangle over the Jewish vote in battleground states.

Herewith, a comparison of the two platforms on Israel-related issues, highlighting the differences between them.

Jerusalem

REPUBLICAN: We support Jerusalem as the undivided capital of Israel and moving the American embassy to that undivided capital of Israel.

DEMOCRATIC: Jerusalem is and will remain the capital of Israel. The parties have agreed that Jerusalem is a matter for final status negotiations. It should remain an undivided city accessible to people of all faiths.

Israel's future borders

DEMOCRATIC: All understand that it is unrealistic to expect the outcome of final status negotiations to be a full and complete return to the armistice lines of 1949.

REPUBLICAN: Israel must have secure, defensible borders and we support its right to exist as a Jewish state able to defend itself against homicide bombings, rocket and mortar fire, and other attacks against its people.

The Palestinian refugee issue

REPUBLICAN: At the heart of any peace process must be a mutual commitment to resolve all issues through negotiation. Part of that process must be a
just, fair, and realistic framework for dealing with the Palestinian refugee issue.

Like all other elements in a meaningful agreement, this matter can be settled only on the basis of mutually agreed changes that reflect today?s realities as well as tomorrow's hopes.

DEMOCRATIC: The creation of a Palestinian state through final status negotiations, together with an international compensation mechanism, should resolve the issue of Palestinian refugees by allowing them to settle there, rather than in Israel.


Iran

DEMOCRATIC: The world must prevent Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons. That starts with tougher sanctions and aggressive, principled, and direct high-level diplomacy, without preconditions.

We will pursue this strengthened diplomacy alongside our European allies, and with no illusions about the Iranian regime. We will present Iran with a clear choice: if you abandon your nuclear weapons program, support for terror, and threats to Israel, you will receive meaningful incentives; so long as you refuse, the United States and the international community will further ratchet up the pressure, with stronger unilateral sanctions; stronger multilateral sanctions inside and outside the U.N. Security Council, and sustained action to isolate the Iranian regime.

The Iranian people and the international community must know that it is Iran, not the United States, choosing isolation over cooperation. By going the extra diplomatic mile, while keeping all options on the table, we make it more likely the rest of the world will stand with us to increase pressure on Iran, if diplomacy is failing.

REPUBLICAN: We oppose entering into a presidential-level, unconditional dialogue with the regime in Iran until it takes steps to improve its
behavior, particularly with respect to support of terrorism and suspension of its efforts to enrich uranium.

At the same time, the U.S. must retain all options in dealing with a situation that gravely threatens our security, our interests, and the safety of our friends.

We affirm, in the plainest words we can use, that the U.S. government, in solidarity with the international community, will not allow the current regime in Tehran to develop nuclear weapons.

We call for a significant increase in political, economic, and diplomatic pressure to persuade Iran's rulers to halt their drive for a nuclear weapons capability, and we support tighter sanctions against Iran and the companies with business operations in or with Iran.

Hamas

REPUBLICAN: We urge the continued isolation of groups like Hamas and Hezbollah because they do not meet the standards of the international community.

DEMOCRATIC: The United States and its Quartet partners should continue to isolate Hamas until it renounces terrorism, recognizes Israel's right to exist, and abides by past agreements.

Palestinian statehood

DEMOCRATIC: It is in the best interests of all parties, including the United States, that we take an active role to help secure a lasting settlement of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict with a democratic, viable Palestinian state dedicated to living in peace and security side by side with the Jewish State of Israel.

To do so, we must help Israel identify and strengthen those partners who are truly committed to peace, while isolating those who seek conflict and instability, and stand with Israel against those who seek its destruction.


REPUBLICAN: We support the vision of two democratic states living in peace and security: Israel, with Jerusalem as its capital, and Palestine.

For that to become a reality, the Palestinian people must support
leaders who reject terror, embrace the institutions and ethos of democracy, and respect the rule of law.

The security of Israel

REPUBLICAN: We reaffirm America's commitment to Israel's security and will ensure that Israel maintains a qualitative edge in military technology over any potential adversaries.

DEMOCRATIC: "Our starting point must always be our special relationship with Israel, grounded in ... a clear, strong, fundamental commitment to the security of Israel, our strongest ally in the region and its only established democracy.

That commitment, which requires us to ensure that Israel retains a qualitative edge for its national security and its right to self-defense is all the more important as we contend with growing threats in the region - a strengthened Iran, a chaotic Iraq, the resurgence of Al Qaeda, the reinvigoration of Hamas and Hezbollah.

We support the implementation of the memorandum of understanding that pledges $30 billion in assistance to Israel over the next decade to enhance and ensure its security.


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