Middle East Policy
12.06.2009
Israel and Arab Relations and the Role of the U.S.
I support a Jewish democracy for the State of Israel and will be a stalwart defender of Israel's security. I support and will advocate strengthening the U.S.-Israel relationship, and believe that Israel's right to exist as a democratic Jewish state should never be questioned. Active engagement by the United States is essential to help produce a more stable and secure Middle East and is in the best interests of both the U.S. and Israeli national interests. I support efforts aimed to ensure and maintain a strong U.S.-Israel partnership. Israel is America's strongest ally in the Middle East and, as such, America's first and most important commitment in the region is to the security of the State of Israel.
The American-Israeli relationship is based upon more than just strategic considerations; it is also based on a shared set of values. I support the historic commitment of the United States to the democratic home for the Jewish people and continued foreign assistance to Israel, including the annual foreign aid package that involves both military and economic assistance. Foreign aid that continues Israel’s qualitative military edge over its adversaries can serve as a security foundation for a negotiated comprehensive peace.
The Two-State Solution
I believe that reaching a sustainable Israel-Palestinian two-state solution is the best way to ensure the long-term security of the State of Israel and is also in America's best interest. A two-state solution, with a democratic Israel as a home for the Jewish people and a democratic, peaceful, and viable Palestinian state, living side-by-side, is the preferable policy. In 2000, President Clinton outlined the parameters of a workable two-state solution that includes the following:
- Borders based on the 1967 lines with land swaps allowing for the incorporation of established Israeli settlements in exchange for Palestinian viability and contiguity.
- Division of Jerusalem based on demographic realities, a shared capitol, and guaranteed access to holy sites.
- Resolution of the refugee issue of those outside the borders of Israel or the West Bank/Gaza through compensation.
- Robust, enforceable, and monitored security agreements.
Iran
Iran's development of nuclear weapons represents an existential threat to Israel and is an unacceptable outcome for the long-term strategic interest of the United States. Targeted sanctions designed to hinder Iran's ability to develop these weapons are needed. However, great care is needed when considering additional wider economic sanctions, particularly those that would cause humanitarian harm to the Iranian people. The efficacy of the recent Iranian election is open to serious question. To penalize the Iranian people for the corruption that has been perceived in its governmental structure is likely fraught with other, unanticipated difficulties that require further examination. However, the potential effects of Iran developing nuclear weapons under the current regime are not only a threat to the stability of the wider Middle East, but also to its own people. Attempting negotiations with the current regime are only worthwhile if they are directly related to the non-proliferation of nuclear weapons.
Palestinian Statehood
The United States should consider policy for the Middle East for developing a sustainable, peaceful, contiguous, and democratic Palestinian state with the 1967 borders as a guideline. U.S. foreign assistance should further this goal, with the clear guideline that U.S. assistance will not be offered to organizations designated as terrorist by the United States government. U.S. humanitarian, economic, political, and security assistance should be directed to groups that have and continue to renounce violence and accept Israel's right to exist as a democratic Jewish homeland. Democratic, free, and fair elections in the West Bank and Gaza as the foundation for the legitimacy of the Palestinian Authority and, ultimately, an independent Palestinian state must be achieved for this to succeed.
Settlements and the Security Barrier
Consideration must be given to an immediate freeze on the construction of new Israeli settlements in the West Bank and Gaza. Many settlements are obstacles to peace, represent an unacceptable drain on Israel's military and treasury, and are unnecessary as a means to support Israeli population growth. The majority of Israel's citizens do not support the expansion of settlements, and such expansion is not consistent with the goals of achieving a just and lasting peace in the region. However, it is necessary to recognize realities on the ground for some of the more established settlements whose status must be part of a comprehensive peace settlement with the Palestinians in the form of a land-swap. Israel's right to construct a “security barrier” must be protected, and U.S. assistance is warranted for Israel to secure its borders as such, with the security barrier respecting generally accepted borders based upon the 1967 lines.
Engaging the Muslim World
Justice and compassion are values that are shared by all faiths. Profiling on the basis of racial, religious and ethnic differences hurts good people. “Name checking” should be replaced by a comprehensive system of background checks for citizenship that are efficient and effective. The U.S. must engage the Muslim world without an “anti-Islam” bias. Torture must never be tolerated in our American military and law enforcement practices. Those who engage in this practice must be investigated and be subject to the consequences of the law.
