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The Democrats Declare Opposition to Israeli Annexation Plan

Palestinian flags being waved in Khan Yunis in opposition to annexation - AAWSAT AR
Palestinian flags being waved in Khan Yunis in opposition to annexation - AAWSAT AR
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The Democrats Declare Opposition to Israeli Annexation Plan

Palestinian flags being waved in Khan Yunis in opposition to annexation - AAWSAT AR
Palestinian flags being waved in Khan Yunis in opposition to annexation - AAWSAT AR

The Democratic National Committee (DNC) approved the first draft of the party’s official platform, which underwent a preliminary vote in a hearing on Wednesday and is set to be unveiled to public next month.

In the draft, which has been seen by Asharq Al-Awsat, the Democrats expressed their opposition to any unilateral actions by Israelis or Palestinians that could threaten the two-state solution. They also expressed opposition to Israel’s annexation plan.

“We support a negotiated two-state solution that ensures Israel’s future as a Jewish and democratic state with recognized borders and upholds the right of Palestinians to live in freedom and security in a viable state of their own. Democrats oppose any unilateral steps by either side — including annexation — that undermine prospects for two states,” it read.

The committee, composed of 15 members, also refused to use the word “occupation” to describe annexation in the draft, which had been pushed for by Josh Orton, a member of the committee and senior adviser for Vermont Senator Bernie.

“Bottom line: The fact that Palestinians live under occupation is not a matter of serious dispute,” said Josh Orton.

“It’s important to acknowledge this, because people living under occupation are afforded certain rights, and those rights must be upheld and protected.”

He added that “a growing and just movement within our party believes that US aid should not be used to facilitate annexation and violate Palestinian rights.”

However, despite progressives’ efforts to include the word “occupation” in the party’s platform, the language used in the draft was more in line with Joe Biden’s campaign.

The platform also expresses its support for Jerusalem remaining the capital of Israel.

“We believe that while Jerusalem is a matter for final status negotiations, it should remain the capital of Israel, an undivided city accessible to people of all faiths.”

It should be noted that the committee will continue to edit the draft until July 27, when the final draft will be voted on. The platform outlining the party’s plans will be officially released at the Democratic National Convention on the 7th of August.

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Winter Rains Pile Misery on War-torn Gaza's Displaced

With many residents of Gaza displaced by the war, often living in cramped tent camps, the coming winter is a cause for concern - AFP
With many residents of Gaza displaced by the war, often living in cramped tent camps, the coming winter is a cause for concern - AFP
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Winter Rains Pile Misery on War-torn Gaza's Displaced

With many residents of Gaza displaced by the war, often living in cramped tent camps, the coming winter is a cause for concern - AFP
With many residents of Gaza displaced by the war, often living in cramped tent camps, the coming winter is a cause for concern - AFP

At a crowded camp in Gaza for those displaced by the Israeli war on the strip, Ayman Siam laid concrete blocks around his tent to keep his family dry as rain threatened more misery.

"I'm trying to protect my tent from the rainwater because we are expecting heavy rain. Three days ago when it rained, we were drenched," Siam said, seeking to shield his children and grandchildren from more wet weather.

Siam is among thousands sheltering at Gaza City's Yarmuk sports stadium in the north after being uprooted by the Israeli bombardment.

He lives in one of many flimsy tents set up at the stadium, where the pitch has become a muddy field dotted with puddles left by rainfall that washed away belongings and shelters.

People in the stadium dug small trenches around their tents, covered them with plastic sheets, and did whatever they could to stop the water from entering their makeshift homes.

Others used spades to direct the water into drains, as grey skies threatened more rain.

- 'Catastrophic' -

The majority of Gaza's 2.4 million people have been displaced, often multiple times, by the war that began with Hamas's attack on southern Israel on October 7, 2023. Israel's retaliatory campaign has killed 44,235 people in Gaza, according to figures from the territory's health ministry that the United Nations considers reliable.

With many displaced living in tent camps, the coming winter is raising serious concerns.

Mahmud Bassal, spokesman for Gaza's civil defence agency, told AFP that "tens of thousands of displaced people, especially in the central and south of Gaza Strip, are suffering from flooded tents due to the rains", and called on the international community to provide tents and aid.

International aid organizations have sounded the alarm about the deteriorating situation as winter approaches.

"It's going to be catastrophic," warned Louise Wateridge, an emergency officer for the UN agency for Palestinian refugees currently in Gaza.

"People don't have anything that they need," she said from Gaza City. "They haven't had basic, basic, basic things for 13 months, not food, not water, not shelter," she added.

"It's going to be miserable, it's going to be very desperate."

The rainy period in Gaza lasts between late October and April, with January being the wettest month, averaging 30 to 40 millimetres of rain.

Winter temperatures can drop as low as six degrees Celsius (42 Fahrenheit), AFP reported.

Recent rain has flooded hundreds of tents near the coast in Deir el-Balah, in central Gaza, as well as in Khan Yunis and Rafah in the south, according to Gaza's civil defense.

- 'Nothing left' -

Auni al-Sabea, living in a tent in Deir el-Balah, was among those bearing the brunt of the weather without proper accommodation.

"The rain and seawater flooded all the tents. We are helpless. The water took everything from the tent, including the mattresses, blankets and a water jug. We were only able to get a mattress and blankets for the children," said the displaced man.

"Now, we are in the street and we have nothing left," said the 40-year-old from Al-Shati Camp.

At the stadium, Umm Ahmed Saliha showed the water that pooled under her tent during morning prayers. "All of this is from this morning's rain and winter hasn't even started properly."