California to Again Consider Palestinian State Resolution

Two resolutions urging establishment of a Palestinian state alongside an Israel “within secure boundaries” will be submitted to the California Democratic Party convention meeting this weekend in Sacramento.

The resolutions, submitted by the Arab-American Democratic Club of Santa Clara and the California Democratic Council, a grassroots organization, are being strongly opposed by the Democratic and state leadership.

Although similar resolutions failed at last year’s convention, Jewish organizations view the new attempt with some concern.

“If successful, this could be a watershed vote with a ripple effect across the country,” warned Andrew Cushnir, associate director of the Anti-Defamation League’s Western region and a delegate to the convention.

Furthermore, passage would “pose a severe challenge to the Democratic coalition,” heavily dependent on both Jewish and black support, Cushnir added.

The proposals will first go to the Resolutions Committee, which will likely not report them out to the full convention.

However, the signatures of 200 delegates, out of the 2,700 attending, can force a floor vote, and this maneuver is expected to succeed.

The state convention, normally a little-noticed event, is drawing unusual attention this year because Gov. Edmund (Jerry) Brown Jr. is seeking the chairmanship of the party in California.

Brown, a charismatic and unpredictable figure, has joined a rival candidate, most of the Democratic congressional delegation, state officials and Mayor Tom Bradley of Los Angeles in signing a letter emphasizing that the proposed resolutions go counter to the historic position of the Democratic party.