John Kerry Debuts Position Paper on Israel

John Kerry Debuts Position Paper on Israel

NewsMax.com
Saturday, July 3, 2004

In a position paper entitled "John Kerry: Strengthening Israel's Security and Bolstering the U.S.-Israel Special Relationship," Sen. John Kerry, D-Mass., promises not to negotiate with Yasser Arafat and notes his support for Israel's right to defend itself by attacking terrorist organizations.

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Sent in mid-June to a group of people in the Jewish community, Kerry says in the paper: "[Israel's] security fence is a legitimate act of self-defense erected in response to the wave of terror attacks against Israeli citizens." He also declares his opposition to transferring debate on the fence to international forums.

Kerry had previously spoken out against the controversial separation fence at a meeting of the Arab-American Institute.

Some major points in the paper:

Backing of 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;

Support for Israel's actions against Hamas, Islamic Jihad and other terror organizations;

A declaration that "Yasser Arafat is a failed leader and unfit partner for peace" and a call for "his total isolation;"

Support for the battle against cutting foreign aid to Israel;

A call for 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;

Maintaining Israel's military supremacy;

A promise to act against anti-Semitic statements by senior Saudi government officials;

A declaration that "a nuclear armed Iran is unacceptable."

Kerry campaign officials said that the position 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."

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