To: Shirley Franklin, Co-Chair, Democratic Platform Committee and Governor Ned Lamont

Platform Committee: Oppose TPP & West Bank Settlement Expansion

Vote to oppose the TPP agreement and settlement expansion in the West Bank when the Platform Committee meets in Orlando July 8-9.

The Democratic Platform drafting committee rejected amendments to oppose the TPP agreement [1] and to oppose the expansion of Israeli settlements in the West Bank. [2] The TPP is opposed by Secretary Clinton, Senator Sanders, the overwhelming majority of House Democrats, the labor movement, the climate justice movement, and groups concerned about access to essential medicines. The Sanders campaign and the pro-peace, pro-Israel lobby J Street [3] had asked the drafting committee to oppose settlement construction and expansion in the West Bank, which are a key obstacle to a diplomatic resolution of the Israel-Palestine conflict. On Friday, the Obama Administration called on the Israeli government to stop expanding settlements in the West Bank. [4]

In Orlando on July 8-9, the full platform committee will consider these issues again. [5]

Urge the Democratic Platform Committee to oppose the TPP and to oppose settlement expansion in the West Bank by signing our petition.

References:
1. https://www.thenation.com/article/the-democrats-draft-platform-doesnt-oppose-tpp-thats-bad-policy-and-bad-politics/
2. http://www.haaretz.com/world-news/u-s-election-2016/1.727025
3. http://www.politico.com/f/?id=00000155-179d-dad1-a777-3f9dee560002
4. http://www.reuters.com/article/us-mideast-israel-palestinians-quartet-idUSKCN0ZH3QI
5. https://demconvention.com/platform/