CHARLOTTE, NC — Facing a firestorm of criticism, red-faced Democrats retreated on their party platform yesterday by ramming through references to God and Jerusalem — over loud opposition from many rank-and-file delegates.
The document now includes language from the 2008 platform — which had been stripped out — saying Jerusalem “is and will remain the capital of Israel. The parties have agreed that Jerusalem is a matter for final-status negotiations. It should remain an undivided city accessible to people of all faiths.”
Also back is are these words: “We need a government that stands up for the hopes, values and interests of working people and gives everyone willing to work hard the chance to make the most of their God-given potential.”
Ohio Gov. Ted Strickland proposed the motion., saying “faith and belief in God is central to the American story” and “President Obama recognizes Jerusalem as the capital of Israel and our party’s platform should as well.”
But when a voice vote was called, the “nays” appeared to at least match the “ayes” — as they did a second time.
“I . . . I . . . I guess, I’ll do that one more time,” said the obviously flustered convention chairman, LA Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa.
Then, despite a third attempt resulting in a similar response, Villaraigosa declared, “In the opinion of [the] chair, two-thirds have voted in the affirmative. The motion is adopted, and the platform has been amended.”
That sparked a chorus of boos from the floor, while supporters tried to cheer the passing of the measure.
“I only have concerns about those who said ‘no,’” said Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr. “The people of Israel deserve to know America has their back.”
Earlier yesterday, the move to remove Israel from the platform provoked ridicule from Mitt Romney and his fellow Republicans, and surprised and angered pro-Israel Democrats.
Bronx Rep. Eliot Engel was relieved that the pro-Jerusalem language was restored.
“It was a terrible mistake. It was a faux pas. Jerusalem is the eternal, undivided capital of Israel,” Engel said.
The episode exposed tensions within the party, put Democrats on the defensive and created a public-relations spectacle.
“There was no discussion. We didn’t even see it coming. We were blindsided by it,” said Noor Ul-Hasan, a Muslim delegate from Salt Lake City, who questioned whether the convention had a quorum at the time to even amend the platform.
Angela Urrea, a delegate from Roy, Utah, said, “We shouldn’t be declaring Jerusalem as the capital of Israel.”President Obama intervened directly to make the changes, said campaign officials.
The language in the platform — a political document — does not affect actual U.S. policy toward Israel. The administration has long said that determining Jerusalem’s status is an issue that should be decided in peace talks by Israelis and Palestinians.
The American Israel Public Affairs Committee, a pro-Israel lobbying group, welcomed the support of Democrats and Republicans alike on Israel.
“Together, these party platforms reflect strong bipartisan support for the US-Israel relationship,” AIPAC said in a statement.