President Bush waves to reporters as he arrives at the White House on Thursday in Washington. The Republican Party's draft reiterates Bush's commitment that under any final-status agreement, Palestinian refugees will not be resettled in Israel. (AP)
Posted on 08/26/2004 9:25:45 PM PDT by Cinnamon Girl
President Bush waves to reporters as he arrives at the White House on Thursday in Washington. The Republican Party's draft reiterates Bush's commitment that under any final-status agreement, Palestinian refugees will not be resettled in Israel. (AP)
WASHINGTON - The Republican Party's draft platform on Israel reiterates President George Bush's commitment that under any final-status agreement with the Palestinians, Palestinian refugees will not be resettled in Israel and Israel will not be compelled to return to the 1949 armistice lines.
The draft was published Thursday in advance of the party's convention, which opens in New York on Monday. The platform, about half of which is devoted to foreign policy, also calls on the Palestinian Authority and the Arab states to democratize and fight corruption and terror.
"The Republican Party," the draft states, "shares President Bush's commitment to the security of America's democratic ally Israel. We remain committed to ensuring that Israel maintains a qualitative edge in defense technology over any potential adversaries."
"We believe that terror attacks against Israelis are part of the same evil as the September 11 attacks against America," it continues. "We recognize Israel's right to defend itself in the face of homicide bombings and other attacks against the people of Israel."
Most of the Republican platform on Israel differs little from the Democratic platform. The Democrats, for instance, also adopted the commitments made by Bush in his April 14 letter to Prime Minister Ariel Sharon regarding the non-return of refugees and allowing Israel to keep the major West Bank settlement blocs.
However, the Republican platform also includes a condemnation of the UN's "unacceptable discrimination against Israel" and says that the party, if elected, will work to change this. It also calls for halting government funding of the International Red Cross as long as that organization continues to exclude Israel's Magen David Adom.
If this doesn't assist with the American Jewish vote...nothing will!
The Arab street, is saddened ...
Too bad that 75% of US Jews will still vote for Kerry. Socialism uber alles.
This is why -- well one of the many reasons now, that I am voting for President Bush. He has common sense and can see the situation as it really is. It's like, the so-called palestinians are really hosting terrorists and pretending to be "poor little me" types. Has anybody ever wondered why the kids like to jump around and act like monkeys instead of humans? Its the way the terrorists are raising them.
God bless George Bush and the GOP. Finally we have a President that stands tall with Israel.
This is good that he stands up to the UN. John Kerry would not.
"However, the Republican platform also includes a condemnation of the UN's "unacceptable discrimination against Israel" and says that the party, if elected, will work to change this. It also calls for halting government funding of the International Red Cross as long as that organization continues to exclude Israel's Magen David Adom."
Bush had this American Jew's vote the first time and the 2nd time.
I wonder if it's possible to have a thread about President Bush on Israel that doesn't include several posts about how most Jews will vote. How about wait and see?
I wish he would take the same stand wit illegal aliens in this country. We have a right not to be overtaken by people who are here for entitlements and welfare benefits at taxpayers expense.
Mad_Tom. My Jewish friends in the midwest are Bush supporters. I spoke to a business associate in Philly yesterday and he surprised me when he told me he was for Bush. So please don't under-estimate the Jewish community in 2004 it just might surprise you.
I highly doubt it. But 50% of Americans will.
This is leadership plain and simple. President Bush is not afraid to take a stand, and everytime he does, it's for what's best for America and freedom
Yep, the GOP gets it -- different fronts of the same war.
"The right of return" is pretty clearly just another ploy to destroy Israel. They want half of Israel to be given to the Arabs, and millions of Arabs to be settled in the half that is left. They never think to have the millions of Arabs return to where they say their homeland is, they want them to settle where the Jews homeland is.
Scumbags.
Didn't Dr. Rice advocate Israel returning to the 1967 borders in an article last week?
No, I reckon it's not possible and I am just as sick of
hearing how Jews will vote as I am about the "Catholic"
vote.
Fabulous post, dear FRiend.
fyi
What percentage of Jewish voters would you expect to vote for GW? Fifty percent? Believe me, I would love to see solidarity between conservatives and Jews, but IMO we are talking about a MAJOR socioeconiomic divide, not to mention the difference of opinion regarding the preferable "socioeconomic system of choice" that three years of sensible US-Israel policy is not going to change overnight. IMO, if GW received 35% of the Jewish vote I would be astonished.
That would be grand. And I certainly meant no offense to anyone on FR with my opinion. I have Jewish friends who live in Israel and Lebanon who agree with me. Coming together against the new/old threat would be good for all.
So I guess we all just ignore history, huh? Head in sand. Life is good.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.