As a proud Palestinian American, I have always passionately supported the dream of Palestinian self-determination free from occupation and oppression.
For that to occur, Israel must end its genocidal campaign in Gaza and the illegal occupation of the West Bank. Under the Charter of the United Nations and the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, the Palestinian people deserve self-determination and full recognition by the United Nations as an equal party to the peace process. If elected, I will strongly push for the United States to drop all efforts to oppose this, and work to have the U.S. establish bilateral relations with a sovereign and independent State of Palestine. I’m also a believer in the “Right to Return,” for all those displaced by nearly a century of ethnic cleansing to return to their ancestral homes.
Ending the Genocide in Gaza
- The ongoing genocide needs to end now.
- There is no acceptable scenario that envisions a permanent Israeli occupation of the Gaza Strip, or the West Bank.
- An unlimited surge of aid, including medical supplies and food, should be immediately allowed in and distributed to all in need.
- Democratic elections must be held for the people of Palestine to elect their own leaders.
- Any attempt to displace the people of Palestine from their homes is a war crime under international law, and I believe that it is impossible to be a good ally to a nation practising ethnic cleansing, apartheid, or genocide.
- I also believe that the United Nations should be allowed to conduct an unrestricted investigation into all war crimes committed by anyone or any entity during the genocide, and that those responsible for atrocities be prosecuted in the International Criminal Court, as is consistent with international law.
Full International Recognition of Palestine and its Sovereign Territory
- I firmly believe that people must have equal rights, access, freedom and safety, and that means having the United States formally recognize the State of Palestine as sovereign and independent, and dropping our opposition at the United Nations to recognition by international organizations.
- The Palestinian people must be given the freedom and sovereignty to choose their leadership without international interference of any kind. The United States must immediately accredit an ambassador from the State of Palestine.
- The United States must insist that Israel fully withdraw from the Occupied Territories and remove all settlements – this includes East Jerusalem.
- The argument over a “two state solution” is a distraction. The Israeli Knesset has voted against it. It is the people who must decide. The choice on how to move forward does not belong to the United States. And the United States must also end unrestricted aid and funding that has not only enabled this genocide but ensured no good faith negotiations can take place. Following our own laws and international humanitarian law is the bare minimum that must happen.
Capacity-Building and Permanent Aid
- I’m proposing that the U.S. Treasury Department, the U.S. Commerce Department, the Export-Import Bank of the U.S., the U.S. Trade and Development Agency, and other federal departments and agencies immediately make available to the State of Palestine 100 billion dollars in aid for the reconstruction of Gaza’s infrastructure.
- Reparations and the Palestinian Right to Return must be prioritized for any peace process. The execution of these priorities can take many forms, from the actual return of property to compensation for land seized under the terms of eminent domain. Peace without justice isn’t really peace, and we must use our unique leverage to achieve a just outcome for all, or we risk repeating the very patterns of abuse that got us here without dictating to the Palestinian people.
An International Jerusalem and the Right to Worship
I believe that in line with international law and the will of the United Nations, that Jerusalem, both West and East, must be a place where all are welcomed. Jews, Christians, Muslims, and people of all faiths must be allowed to worship without fear of persecution, and that includes the Palestinians.
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