Dem platform affirms Jerusalem as capital

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CHARLOTTE, N.C., Sept. 5 (UPI) -- Democrats meeting in Charlotte, N.C., Wednesday amended the party platform to recognize Jerusalem as Israel's capital and to add "God" to the plan.

Democratic National Convention Chairman Antonio Villaraigosa, the mayor of Los Angeles, called for a vote three times before declaring the amendment language was adopted by a two-thirds majority on a voice vote, as those voting nay shouted their disapproval.

When presenting the amendment, Platform Committee Co-Chairman Ted Strickland, a former Ohio governor, said President Barack Obama "recognizes Jerusalem as the capital of Israel and the party platform should as well."

As adopted Tuesday, the party's 2012 platform did not include language recognizing Jerusalem as the capital. Such language was in the 2008 Democratic Party platform.

Republicans, including party presidential candidate Mitt Romney and running mate Paul Ryan, have criticized the platform for omitting language concerning Jerusalem.

Strickland, noting he was an ordained Methodist minister, said the platform affirms belief in God.

"I am here to attest and affirm that our faith and belief in God is central to the American story" and is fundamental to the values in the party's platform, he said.