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Why was Jerusalem wiped from Democratic platform?

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    Harvard Law professor Alan Dershowitz sounds off

  • Duration 6:56
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Your reaction to developing controversy here at the Democratic National Convention.

When the media got to look at the democrats' platform -- they noticed a longstanding reference to Jerusalem as the capital of Israel.

No longer exists it's been taken out of the platform.

It came just hours after DNC chair Debbie Wasserman Schultz was challenged.

On remarks she made.

To a group of Jewish voters she's giving a sort of talking points on.

Attacks against.

Jewish Democrats and and the issue of Israel she she giving them at the talking points and she was -- she -- it she said something that became controversial.

And now she's been questioned about that so there's two separate issues the platform and what did you are some -- has set about it.

And joining me here to react is Alan Dershowitz he's a Harvard law professor and author of rights from wrongs the origins of human rights in the experience.

Of injustice.

Professor Dershowitz is a pleasure to see you again I know that you're upset over this -- -- -- before we get WS Mitchell's comments let's just talk about the platform what specifically is it about the platform that you are upset with.

Well for the first time in my memory at least the platforms of the -- -- two parties seem to differ on Israel and Israel has always been a bipartisan issue.

From 1948.

Until the present moment there's never been any difference really between the democratic and Republican positions.

On Israel and now the new democratic platform is eliminated references to Jerusalem as the capital of Israel.

Has eliminated references to the refugees being settled.

In Palestine of Palestine were to become -- state has eliminated references to.

Hamas being a terrorist organization that should not be dealt with and eliminated references to the fact that the 67 or 49 armistice borders.

Should not be the ultimate borders.

That creates a political distance between the Democrats and Republicans.

And that's -- too bad I mean it's too bad for American supporters of Israel and this is not only Jewish issue the vast majority of Americans.

Christian Jewish and otherwise support.

Israel and want America to support the only democracy in the Middle East democracy that.

Helps the United States in its.

Battle against terrorism and democracy that has used its resource is to help and I -- The American military American intelligence.

And the Democratic Party platform should change.

To reflect that consensus -- that bipartisan nature and it -- it doesn't.

At least the president of the United States in his speech.

Should make references to the omitted portions of the democratic platform and return us to the status of it being -- bipartisan issue.

But -- -- really matter because we saw this from the Republicans last week when their platform came under attack -- And if folks came -- look at you know the party platform it may or may not reflect what the actual -- that he's presidential nominee.

We'll leave you know on issues like abortion and now this week the Democrats are saying look you know President Obama has stood behind Israel you -- forceful advocate for Israel.

And -- -- this link which comes out of the platform is really kind of irrelevant.

It's not irrelevant because of the change from the -- wait -- the well flat.

It's not what being platforms says it's what the platform.

Fails to say and what -- -- in the past also I would like to see the president used his speech is an occasion.

More telling you wrong in no uncertain terms that they are our red lines and that it will never be allowed to develop.

Nuclear weapons so why incur the sanctions.

It doesn't -- -- -- the sanctions and diplomatic isolation.

Because the administration's promise that you -- never beat the develop weapons no matter whether -- military veteran obviously as -- last recourse we always want military.

You last -- for the Iranians have to hear from the.

Presidents that.

They will not be allowed to develop nuclear weapons if he says that and if -- and if he goes back to what the to -- platform said.

Then the issue of Israel will become a bipartisan issue and people can vote on what they think about health care what they think about women's rights what they think about the economy.

But Israel should never become a wedge issue that separates Republicans from Democrats and I fear that this omission from the platform.

Contributes to making it a wedge issue.

Think it's really going on here why why would they take this language out about Israel and even risk this given the importance of the Jewish vote this election.

Well it's not only to Jewish voters the pro Israel vote which goes well beyond the Jewish vote it's foolishness and I think it results from the fact that there is a lot of infighting within the Obama administration.

President Obama on has for himself.

Then on the right side of all these issues but right now there's a big battle within the administration.

As to whether the president should draw very firm lines red lines with -- Iran.

There are some who -- saying no there -- some I was saying yes there are some within the Obama administration was saying that.

American support for Israel should be weakened and loosen the president doesn't support that but I suspect that some people who had a hand.

In drafting the the platform may be on the side within the administration.

Who are trying to soften America's support for Israel and that's why the president has to be as clear as can be when he speaks.

That American support for Israel is bipartisan its unwavering.

The United States will never allow Iran to develop nuclear weapons it will support Israel's war against terrorism.

And it will seek a peace that guarantees Israel security in our neighborhood in which Israel's security is always at risk.

It's always dangerous when you make something like this up a political issue with both sides will they'll kick it around as though it is that Al west about -- -- initials because she came under fire yesterday she made a comment to a group of Jewish voters here.

About look -- here's what you need to tell people when they say oh I'm gonna go with the Republicans because their better for Israel.

And she was giving them sort of talking points on an -- that group that it with -- -- that group she said something to the effect that the Israeli ambassador to the UN believes the Republicans here in America.

Our beat are dangerous are being dangerous on the issue of Israel she later denied that she said that I wanna play the remark she said that the group -- -- We know -- -- heard.

No I didn't ask her landlord -- dad I don't continue to -- the industry has -- -- -- regarding -- bills.

Security that's exactly it dad and I is -- Israel don't have any meeting.

I am a unique games those special relationship yeah -- Israel's security team is dancing in the Arab world -- -- enemies.

-- she later went -- they show last night as has been denied that she said that but clearly you know the tape speaks for itself I I get fifteen seconds and heartbreak -- -- carry you over but your quick thought.

Okay clearly Michael Moore didn't say that I've spoken Michael aren't known for years he would never ever turn this into -- partisan issue never say anything negative about Republicans and Democrats nor hold you on that point.

Will resume right at this.

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