Israel, Palestine, and the GOP Platform
By Daniel Larison
July 12, 2016
The Republican platform plank on Israel and Palestine has been revised:
Rejecting policy both American parties have embraced for decades, the Republican Party moved Monday
to approve a platform that does not include a call for a two-state solution to the Israeli–Palestinian conflict.
It is unfortunate that the GOP did this, but the truth is that this is where most “pro-Israel” Republicans have been for at least the last ten years. The revised plank is a symbolic repudiation of the consensus view on how to resolve the conflict between Israelis and Palestinians, and it reflects the extent to which the GOP as a whole has become an overt backer of the most hard-line Israeli policies.
As a two-state solution has become increasingly unlikely in the near term, “pro-Israel” hawks have generally come around to an aggressively pro-settler and pro-occupation position. Hawks here in the U.S. are at least as hard-line on these questions as their Israeli counterparts, and sometimes more so, and if anything Trump has been even more blunt about this than previous nominees. McCain and Romney paid lip service to a two-state solution, but neither had the slightest interest in pursuing it, and with Trump all pretense of support for that outcome has been cast aside. That has happened partly because of Trump’s own preferences, but it also reflects what most Republicans say they believe.
Conservative Republicans are skeptical of a peaceful, two-state solution
As we can see in the chart from an April 2016 Pew survey, most Republicans don’t think a peaceful two-state solution is even possible. It is likely that most of those people don’t think it is desirable.
The plank also commits the GOP to a fantasy: “We reject the false notion that Israel is an occupier.” This is a bizarre position to take, since Israel is undeniably occupying territory that does not belong to it and ruling over its stateless inhabitants. It is nonetheless consistent with a view that says that Israel does nothing wrong and shouldn’t be criticized even if it did. The plank predictably affirms the wrongheaded, destructive view that there should be “no daylight” between America and Israel, which implies a level of agreement and identity of interests that isn’t possible between any two governments.
Possibly the weirdest part of the new plank is the claim that support for Israel is an “expression of Americanism.” That may be the worst example of confusing the interests and identities of the two countries that I have ever seen. The language of this plank puts Republicans further at odds with the rest of the country on this issue, and it commits them to supporting policies that serve no American interest while indulging the worst behavior of a reckless client state.
The full text of the platform plank can be read below:
Our Unequivocal Support of Israel and Jerusalem
Like the United States of America, the modern state of Israel is a country born from the aspiration for freedom, and standing out among the nations as a beacon of democracy and humanity. Beyond our mutual strategic interests, Israel is likewise an exceptional country that shares our most essential values. It is the only country in the Middle East where freedom of speech and freedom of religion are found. Therefore, support for Israel is an expression of Americanism, and it is the responsibility of our government to advance policies that reflect Americans’ strong desire for a relationship with no daylight between America and Israel. We recognize Jerusalem as the eternal and indivisible capital of the Jewish state, and call for the American embassy to be moved there in fulfillment of U.S. law.We reaffirm America’s commitment to Israel’s security and will ensure that Israel maintains a qualitative military edge over any and all adversaries. We support Israel’s right and obligation to defend itself against terror attacks upon its people, and against alternative forms of warfare being waged upon it legally, economically, culturally and otherwise. We reject the false notion that Israel is an occupier, and specifically recognize that the Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions Movement (“BDS”) is anti-Semitic in nature and seeks to destroy Israel. Therefore, we call for effective legislation to thwart actions that are intended to limit commercial relations with Israel, or persons or entities doing business in Israel or in Israeli-controlled territories, in a discriminatory manner.
The U.S. seeks to assist in the establishment of comprehensive and lasting peace in the Middle East, to be negotiated among those living in the region. We oppose any measures intended to impose an agreement or to dictate borders or other terms, and call for the immediate termination of all U.S. funding of any entity that attempts to do so. Our party is proud to stand with Israel now and always.
