The US Democratic party's slide toward an increasingly anti-Israel position, led by Senator Bernie Sanders, has been halted, at least temporarily.
During a meeting of the Democratic party drafting committee Saturday, supporters of Senator Sanders proposed an amendment to the Democratic party platform which would urge an "end to occupation and illegal settlements," in Judea and Samaria, as part of a general statement in the platform about the promotion of a "two-state solution" to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
The proposal was voted down 95-73, largely thanks to Hilary Clinton supporters who opposed such language.
The rejection was met with boos from the crowd.
Dr. Cornel West, a prominent academic and philosopher known for his far-left views and his backing of the BDS movement, has been one of the main proponents of the inclusion of the term "occupation" in the party platform. He spoke at the drafting committee meeting before the proposed amendment went to a vote,
“This is a moral issue. This is an issue of our time. It has spiritual and moral implications,” the prominent public intellectual said, urging the party to take a more publicly anti-Israel stand. “This is not just about politics, not just about the next election. Democratic Party, you’ve been in denial for too long. Palestinians ought to be free.”