More Controversy At Democratic National Convention On Support For Israel

In addition to the controversy surrounding Debbie Wasserman Schultz's claim that Israeli Ambassador Oren thinks Republicans are dangerous, the Democratic Platform is another issue raising doubts about the Democratic Party's support for Israel.

"Peace and Good Will" at  Democratic National Convention 1872
Credit: Wiki Commons

I blogged yesterday asking Can You Guess What Israel Points Are Missing From The 2012 Democratic Platform?, noting omissions from the Democratic Platform first pointed out by the Republican Jewish Coalition both on Twitter and on their website (Democrats Strip Critical Pro-Israel Language from Platform)

In an effort to blunt criticism of their plaform, Democrats have attempted to give it the seal of approval of a major Jewish group: DNC Israel Platform Reviewed, 'Loved' By AIPAC, Sources Say. The result has been another debate on what was actually said.
According to the post, it is true that the 2004 and 2008 platforms had stronger pro-Israel platforms:

But the aide and a second source affiliated with the party -- both of whom were not authorized to speak on the drafting process -- added that officials with the American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC), the hardline pro-Israel interest group, had reviewed and approved the language prior to its finalization.

"They loved it," said the aide who worked on the platform.

But the question is whether in fact AIPAC actually reviewed and approved -- let alone loved -- the 2012 Democratic Platform.

AIPAC says they didn't.

Instead, their version of the story is very different, namely that AIPAC Not Consulted on Final DNC Platform:

Officials from the American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC) were not consulted on the final version of the Democratic National Committee’s controversial language regarding Israel and the peace process, a revelation that calls into question numerous reports that the pro-Israel juggernaut was pleased with the party’s platform, according to a source close the group.

“AIPAC officials were not in the room when the platform was drafted,” the source told the Free Beacon Tuesday evening. “AIPAC was never provided with a full draft of the Middle East section of the platform.”

...“Jerusalem as the capital is Israel was part of the AIPAC submission to the platform committee,” the AIPAC source said.

The source claiming AIPAC approved and "loved" the platform is -- like Debbie Wasserman Schultz -- sticking by their story.

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Technorati Tag: Israel and Democratic National Convention and Election 2012.