Nader: US should disengage from Israel

Jun. 22, 2004 12:47 | Updated Jun. 22, 2004 13:04
Nader: US should disengage from Israel
By MENACHEM PRITZKER


No diplomatic plan can be acceptable unless it allows for the right of return for Palestinian refugees and a full Israeli withdrawal to 1967 borders, a spokesman for US Presidential candidate Ralph Nader told the Jerusalem Post.

Nader, an independent presidential candidate, also disagrees with Israel's construction of the security fence, its targeted killings of terrorist leaders, and Prime Minister Ariel Sharon's Gaza disengagement plan, his spokesman said.

"Too often the United States walks lockstep with the Israelis; it needs to think for itself," Nader's spokesman added.

On Saturday, Nader called on the Bush Administration to stop backing Israel's policies regarding the Palestinians. In a statement to the Emirate al-Khalij newspaper, Nader said that Israeli officials "control" the White House, and coerce American leaders to supply them with billions of dollars in arms and support.

US election experts believe that the 70-year-old Nader will only play a "spoilers" role in the election. In the 2000 US Presidential election, Nader is thought to have 'spoiled' Democratic candidate Al Gore's chances of winning the presidency.