- WASHINGTON - In a position
paper outlining his stance on Israel, Democratic presidential candidate
John Kerry promises not to negotiate with Yasser Arafat and expresses support
for Israel's right to defend itself by attacking terrorist organizations.
-
- The paper, entitled "John Kerry: Strengthening Israel's
Security and Bolstering the U.S.-Israel Special Relationship," was
sent in mid-June to a group of people in the Jewish community as part of
the Kerry attempt to maintain contact with Jewish supporters in the United
States and to clarify his positions on Israel.
-
- Kerry, who previously spoke against the separation fence
at a gathering of the Arab-American Institute, is now seeking to correct
that impression: "The security fence is a legitimate act of self-defense
erected in response to the wave of terror attacks against Israeli citizens."
-
- The presumptive Democratic nominee also declares his
opposition to transferring debate on the fence to international forums.
The paper shows consistent support for Israel on all the issues at hand:
Kerry backs Israel's disengagement plan and also the two central points
in President Bush's letter to Prime Minister Sharon - the resettlement
of Palestinian refugees in the Palestinian state, not within Israel, and
recognition of Jewish population concentrations in the West Bank when establishing
the permanent borders. "In light of demographic realities, a number
of settlement blocs will likely become a part of Israel," Kerry wrote
his supporters.
-
- He further declared support for Israel's actions against
Hamas, Islamic Jihad and other terror organizations and recalled that he
was a signatory to the motion of support for Israel passed by the Senate
during Operation Defensive Shield.
-
- On the issue of Palestinian leadership, Kerry declared
that "Yasser Arafat is a failed leader and unfit partner for peace"
and called for "his total isolation." He thereby aligned himself
with Bush administration policy, and in contrast to former president Bill
Clinton, who recently stated that despite his disappointment with Arafat,
negotiations should be conducted with him. Kerry lists additional issues
on which he supports Israel: the battle against cutting foreign aid to
Israel; calling upon the United Nations to evince a more balanced approach
to the conflict; support for moving the American embassy to Jerusalem;
international action against regimes that support terror; and maintaining
Israel's military supremacy.
-
- Seeking to set himself apart from Bush on several issues,
Kerry blasts Saudi Arabia and promises to act against anti-Semitic statements
by senior Saudi government officials. "As president, he will never
permit these kinds of attacks to go unanswered," the paper promises.
-
- Sources in his campaign said that the paper and other
letters sent in recent weeks to supporters in the Jewish community are
intended "to educate and inform on his views, so there will be no
doubt about his support for the state of Israel."
-
- ©ÝCopyrightÝ2004ÝHaaretz. All
rights reserved http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/446429.html
|
