Clinton backers nix Israel 'occupation' add to Democratic platform

The presumptive Democratic nominee's supporters stressed that the language calling for negotiations over a two-state solution is sufficient.

By JPOST.COM STAFF
Updated: JULY 10, 2016 12:07
DATE IMPORTED: April 15, 2016 Democratic U.S. presidential candidate Hillary Clinton (L) listens to Senator Bernie Sanders speak during a Democratic debate hosted by CNN and New York One at the Brooklyn Navy Yard in New York April 14, 2016. (photo credit: REUTERS)
DATE IMPORTED: April 15, 2016 Democratic U.S. presidential candidate Hillary Clinton (L) listens to Senator Bernie Sanders speak during a Democratic debate hosted by CNN and New York One at the Brooklyn Navy Yard in New York April 14, 2016.
(photo credit: REUTERS)
Supporters of Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton on Saturday rejected a proposal to include a statement in the party's platform calling for Israel's "end to occupation and illegal settlements," CNN reported.
During a convening of the Democratic National Committee's draft platform committee in Orlando, Clinton's backers said such additional language in the party's platform would further inflame tensions and deter from future US efforts in peace talks.
The presumptive Democratic nominee's supporters stressed that the language calling for negotiations over a two-state solution that would yield an independent Palestinian state is sufficient.
However, according to the report, supporters of Democratic presidential contender Bernie Sanders charged that their suggested amendment reflected a prior stance held by Clinton.
While the committee voted against the addition 95-73, CNN reported that the move garnered the loudest negative response of the day from the audience.
One crowd member was escorted out of the meeting after he stood up and yelled that the party had "sold out" to AIPAC (the American Israel Public Affairs Committee).
Cornel West, a civil rights and pro-BDS activist tapped by Sanders to serve on the committee, charged that the issue "has spiritual and moral implications."
"Democratic Party, you've been in denial for too long. Palestinians ought to be free," he said.
For months, Sanders, the first Jewish candidate to win major party nominating contests, has sought to elevate the issue of Palestinian rights in the platform.
Despite Clinton having already secured the requisite delegates to clinch the party's nomination at the July 25-28 convention, Sanders remains in the race to be the party's nominee.
Reuters contributed to this report.