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Hasner claims LeMieux “recognized Palestine”; LeMieux says baloney

Posted Sep 19, 2011 by William March

Updated Sep 19, 2011 at 05:21 PM

Republican U.S. Senate candidate, who’s making a strong appeal to South Florida Jewish voters, has accused primary opponent George LeMieux of recognizing the existence of a Palestinian state—but only grammatically.

LeMieux responds, in effect, that it was merely a syntax error committed by a stafF member, but the fuss illustrates how hard the two candidates are fighting to be perceived as pro-Israel and how important they believe South Florida’s Jewish voters are.

The accusation is based on this paragraph in a news release from LeMieux:

“So long as Palestine continues to sanction actions of terror against Israel, our staunchest ally in the Middle East, the United Nations should not recognize Palestine as a member state. Palestinian leaders admit their motivation for recognition is to pursue claims against Israel in the International Criminal Court.  Until Palestinian leadership commits to a serious peace process and severs ties with Hezbollah, it should not be granted United Nations’ recognition.”

Hasner acknowledged the point LeMieux was making was pro-Israel, but said the reference to “Palestine” implies an existing, independent Palestinian state. It “exposes either (LeMieux’s) misunderstanding of Israel’s history or a disrespect for Israel’s borders and security,” he said. “Even President Obama is unwilling to recognize the declaration of a Palestinian state at this point, so why should Senator LeMieux?”

“It was a staff error,” said LeMieux spokeswoman Ana Nix, who added the campaign sent out a corrected news release later the same day referring to Palestinians, not Palestine. “Sen. LeMieux has always stood with Israel and always will.”