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Obama Was Right in Iowa

AAI
Posted on Friday March 16, 2007

Senator’s remarks in Muscatine supported by nearly
20 years of Iowa Democratic platforms

WASHINGTON – March 16, 2007 – Sen. Barack Obama’s (D-Ill.) expressed concern for Middle East peace and the plight of the Palestinian people is supported by nearly two decades of policy statements issued by the Iowa Democratic Party, according to research conducted by the Arab American Institute. AAI examined presidential year platforms passed by the Iowa Democratic Party dating back to 1988, and each one has reflected a sense of balance and compassion for both the security of Israel as well as justice for the Palestinian people – a belief held and expressed by Obama while on the presidential campaign trail.

Despite unequivocal language stating his support for Israel at campaign stops, on his website, and on the Senate floor, a remark stating that “no one is suffering [in the conflict] more than the Palestinian people” has made the senator a target for some hardliners in the pro-Israel community unwilling to tolerate any discussions that humanize the situation in Palestine.

“Unfortunately, these bullying tactics have been used before to silence debate about the Middle East before it even begins,” said Dr. James Zogby, president of AAI. “Given the U.S.’s involvement in Iraq and Afghanistan, and rising tensions with Iran, stifling debate about Middle East policy or the situation of Palestine does a grave disservice to the American people.”

“Since the next president, like the last five, will undoubtedly be called upon to play a significant role in the Middle East, it is vital that an open dialogue about the region be encouraged, not shelved,” he added.

Obama’s remarks were in no way conflicting with the values of the Iowa Democratic Party, which for nearly two decades has issued platforms clearly expressing its desire for security for Israel, as well as justice for Palestine.

•At the 2006 Iowa Democratic State Convention, Iowa Democrats passed a platform resolution stating its support for “peaceful efforts to achieve separate and secure Israeli and Palestinian States, working with all parties to end the conflict.”

•In 2004, Iowa Democrats passed a resolution supporting “all peaceful efforts to achieve a secure Israel and a separate, secure Palestinian state, giving equal consideration to the needs and positions of both Palestine and Israel, while holding both sides accountable for their actions.”

•Even dating back to 1988, the Iowa Democratic Party adopted a resolution supporting “the right of both the Israeli and Palestinian peoples to a homeland achieved through peaceful means, negotiated by representatives of their choosing.”

AAI supports a two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian crisis, and believes that engaging moderates within the Palestinian government is key to brokering a peace agreement. The organization will soon be launching a campaign in Iowa that seeks to engage presidential candidates about the need for a more expansive discussion of their plans to resolve the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Zogby will be visiting eastern and central Iowa in mid-April to meet with Arab Americans engaged in presidential campaign work, and to raise the issue on the 2008 campaign trail. Details of that trip will be released to the media soon.