Defending Palestinian rights is a low priority for the current field of Republican candidates vying for the American presidency. 

Last night in the televised Republican debate broadcast from Jacksonville, Fla a Republican Palestinian-American voter queried the candidates regarding their position on the Palestinians.  With the exception of Ron Paul, all candidates pledged strong support for Israel while lambasting the Palestinians, collectively, for anything from incitement to all-out war against the Jews.

Gingrich, Romney, and Santorum ignored the lessons of history about the predictable outcomes of occupation.  They tolerated no distinction between Fatah and Hamas, yet there is a major difference between them in their position toward Israel.

Fatah seeks from Israel mutual recognition and peace.  The Israeli government has repeatedly praised the Palestinian Authority under Fatah leadership for making advances toward building the institutions of government and security necessary for a viable state.  None of the Republican candidates acknowledged these facts.

The only sensible response from the candidates ought to have been this:  My administration will seek a FAIR resolution of the Israeli/Palestinian Conflict.

The leader of the democratic free world should defend Palestinian rights along with Jewish rights because they are human rights.