Greens Endorse March for Palestinian Right of Return: Where Does Nader Stand?
Listed in: Israel, Other Foreign Policy, NJDC News, Press Releases
Washington, DC: According to a press release sent by "Al-Awda, The Palestine Right to Return Coalition," the Association of State Green Parties (ASGP) is endorsing a march in New York City on April 7th "to demand implementation of the right of Palestinian refugees to return to homes and lands from which they were expelled or fled." The ASGP was represented in the recent presidential election by candidate Ralph Nader.
"During the 2000 presidential campaign, Mr. Nader and the ASGP made many ill-considered statements regarding Israel and the intifada - including Mr. Nader's remark that former Vice President Al Gore was acting 'cowardly' in his stated support for Israel, and the strongly anti-Israel statements released by the ASGP. Many American Jews were deeply troubled by Mr. Nader's views towards Israel," said Ira N. Forman, Executive Director of the National Jewish Democratic Council. "Given the endorsement of this 'right of return' rally by the ASGP, the same questions are raised anew. Mr. Nader, you have stated that you intend to build the Green Party into a national political force. Do you support the Greens on this issue, or will you repudiate the offensive views of the ASGP? Do you endorse the unfettered and unlimited right of Palestinian return to the State of Israel, with all of the ramifications that would bring? And finally, do you believe in the utterly one-sided view portrayed by this march and the statements announcing it, which all assert that the simple truth in the Middle East is that the Israelis are the evil aggressors, and the Palestinians - despite the current waves of violence - are merely the victims?
"Mr. Nader, if these are not your policies, and if the ASGP does not speak for you, then this action by the ASGP should give you the perfect opportunity to lead the Green Party away from its reflexively anti-Israel positions. Mr. Nader, where do you stand?"
