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Democrats Weigh "Occupation" in Israel Platform Plank
(JTA) Ron Kampeas - The Democratic Party's platform drafting committee held two days of hearings in Washington, with a focus Thursday on whether the committee should describe Israel's presence in the West Bank as an "occupation." Howard Berman, a former congressman from California with extensive foreign affairs experience who serves on the committee, said listing the grievances of both sides would bog down the platform. "I could come up with a list, if we want this platform to get into it, of issues of (Palestinian) incitement," he said. Robert Wexler, a former Florida congressman, said that to include the word "occupation" would prejudge the outcome of negotiations, which is not the role of the party. Wexler also said the platform should reject bids to delegitimate Israel, including through the BDS movement.