WATCH: Chaos at DNC as Obama seeks to declare Jerusalem Israel capital

Noam Sheizaf By Noam Sheizaf September 5, 2012 | Edit

The uniqueness of the American political system with regards to Israel/Palestine is a form of self-deception. The Republicans are clearly living on the moon, as many have yet to hear about the existence of Palestinians. But the Democratic elite is not much better, especially when elections are around the corner.

The Democrats’ post-trauma from President Obama’s early attempt at applying some feeble pressure on Israel over the issue of settlements was exposed at the Democratic National Convention last night. The party has been attacked by the Republicans for not including a recognition of Jerusalem as Israel’s capital (read: occupied and segregated) in the party platform. A correction required the support of two-thirds of the delegates, and I guess Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa, who chaired the convention, thought it was a no-brainer.

But look what happens next (h/t EI):

Judging from the video, it seems that the change to the platform was endorsed without actually getting the necessary majority (my favorite part is the look on Villaraigosa’s face after the 1st and 2nd vote).

I don’t know what made the delegates on the floor oppose this AIPAC-style amendment, pushed personally by Obama. I hope that they have some idea about what Jerusalem really is: A city where one third of the residents – the Palestinians – do not have full voting rights, cannot buy property, and are under constant threat of losing their legal status. But maybe they were just upset with Netanyahu.

Read More:
 Jewish Democrats use rightist tactics to attack Romney on Israel
Romney or Obama: Why the Israeli left should care

Noam Sheizaf

Noam Sheizaf is an independent journalist and editor. He was the founding executive director and editor-in-chief of +972 Magazine. Prior to joining +972, he worked for Tel Aviv’s Ha-ir local paper, Ynet, and the Maariv daily, where his last position was deputy editor of the weekend magazine. He is currently working on a number of documentary films.

End of article module for Members

TEST TEST GAL Our team has been devastated by the horrific events of this latest war. The world is reeling from Israel’s unprecedented onslaught on Gaza, inflicting mass devastation and death upon besieged Palestinians, as well as the atrocious attack and kidnappings by Hamas in Israel on October 7. Our hearts are with all the people and communities facing this violence.    We are in an extraordinarily dangerous era in Israel-Palestine. The bloodshed has reached extreme levels of brutality and threatens to engulf the entire region. Emboldened settlers in the West Bank, backed by the army, are seizing the opportunity to intensify their attacks on Palestinians. The most far-right government in Israel’s history is ramping up its policing of dissent, using the cover of war to silence Palestinian citizens and left-wing Jews who object to its policies.   This escalation has a very clear context, one that +972 has spent the past 14 years covering: Israeli society’s growing racism and militarism, entrenched occupation and apartheid, and a normalized siege on Gaza.   We are well positioned to cover this perilous moment – but we need your help to do it. This terrible period will challenge the humanity of all of those working for a better future in this land. Palestinians and Israelis are already organizing and strategizing to put up the fight of their lives.   Can we count on your support? +972 Magazine is a leading media voice of this movement, a desperately needed platform where Palestinian and Israeli journalists, activists, and thinkers can report on and analyze what is happening, guided by humanism, equality, and justice. Join us.

Make a Donation