Is it in the US' Interest to Support Israel?

[magnusmaximus]

Dear Small Wars Council Community,



Is it in the US' interest to support Israel?

It is clear that US support of Israel increases anti-Americanism in the Middle East and distrubs the US' relationship with Arab countries. It definetly makes the US more unpopular in Iraq and Afghanistan, and possibly aggravates violence and/or creates terrorists in the said countries.

What does Israel give in return? Is it worth it?





Thanks,
Magnusmaximus

[William F. Owen]

1. Is it in the US' interest to support Israel?

2. It is clear that US support of Israel increases anti-Americanism in the Middle East and distrubs the US' relationship with Arab countries. It definetly makes the US more unpopular in Iraq and Afghanistan, and possibly aggravates violence and/or creates terrorists in the said countries.

3. What does Israel give in return? Is it worth it?

1. Yes, because Israel has an absolute right to exist.
2. Rubbish, and even if it were true, what's your point? Doing the right thing is always the hardest thing to do.
3. Israel doesn't have to give anything in return. Do the Bosnian Muslims, or the victims of the Rwandan Genocide owe anybody anything? Does the US issue an invoice every time it does something good?

[JJackson]

1. Yes, because Israel has an absolute right to exist.
2. Rubbish, and even if it were true, what's your point? Doing the right thing is always the hardest thing to do.
3. Israel doesn't have to give anything in return. Do the Bosnian Muslims, or the victims of the Rwandan Genocide owe anybody anything? Does the US issue an invoice every time it does something good?

1. Why? and why does the same not apply to Palestine?
2. You have to be kidding. US support of Israel is the Islamic Terrorists equivalent of the 'Your country needs you' recruiting poster. Why do you thing unquestioning support of Israel is 'doing the right thing' rather than an attempt to broker a genuine compromise solution.
3. Fair enough - the US gives lots and gets little in return but that is their mistake to make. I am sure the (surviving) Tutsis owe no one anything because very little was done for them to thank us for

[William F. Owen]

1. Why? and why does the same not apply to Palestine?
2. You have to be kidding. US support of Israel is the Islamic Terrorists equivalent of the 'Your country needs you' recruiting poster. Why do you thing unquestioning support of Israel is 'doing the right thing' rather than an attempt to broker a genuine compromise solution.
3. Fair enough - the US gives lots and gets little in return but that is their mistake to make. I am sure the (surviving) Tutsis owe no one anything because very little was done for them to thank us for

1. It applies to any state, the US wants it to and is not fanatically anti-US. Who else should Israel have looked to to guarantee its right to exist? There is no country called Palestine, and when there is, (and I hope for that day) it will most probably committed against the US, like Syria and Iran.

2. Again, so what if it is? US forces being present in Saudi-Arabia, Iraq and Afghanistan are far more inflammatory than the US support for Israel. Why would anyone care if extremists are offended?

How does Israel, have any less right to US Support than Egypt and/or Jordan? - who both receive substantial support.

I don't object to someone asking the question. I strongly object to Israel being used as the sole example, because it implies that Israel has less right to US security guarantees than other nations.

[Tom Odom]

The best single piece on this subject that I have seen in nearly 30 years of intense focus on the region is discussed here.

Just a note of warning: this is an inflammatory topic. Express your opinions without rancor or don't offer them.

Tom

[Adam L]

1. It applies to any state, the US wants it to and is not fanatically anti-US. Who else should Israel have looked to to guarantee its right to exist? There is no country called Palestine, and when there is, (and I hope for that day) it will most probably committed against the US, like Syria and Iran.

2. Again, so what if it is? US forces being present in Saudi-Arabia, Iraq and Afghanistan are far more inflammatory than the US support for Israel. Why would anyone care if extremists are offended?

How does Israel, have any less right to US Support than Egypt and/or Jordan? - who both receive substantial support.

I don't object to someone asking the question. I strongly object to Israel being used as the sole example, because it implies that Israel has less right to US security guarantees than other nations.

I agree 100%. I also have to comment that if the Israel was not getting US support, many groups and countries in the Middle east would obviously be far more aggressive towards Israel. I believe we would have any even more unstable situation if this were to transpire.

JJackson: Look, if the Palestinians ever stop electing terrorists then we can talk about aid. I'm all for democracy AND THE RESPONSIBILITIES THAT COME WITH IT! If you elect Hamas, you live with the consequences. (Also, until the arming and training of children and combatants ceases, I will oppose any penny that goes to their aid.) If tomorrow Canada, or any country no matter how friendly, elected a political leadership like Hamas or Hezbollah I would cut them off.

Adam L

[jcustis]

It is in US interests to support Israel, but not so vehemently that a blind eye is turned towards some of the shenanigans of the last 50 years, because the more you relent, the more that will be taken the next time.

I wrote a research paper on the "special relationship" when I was a young buck in college, and then witnessed it at work firsthand during a few internships (from both sides as I was interning at an Arab lobbying group). Thank you Tom for reminding me that I needed to read the analysis offered up by that thread.

It will always be hard to establish metrics, but I believe that our support and the way it is perceived has done significant damage to our foreign relations capital within not only the Muslim world, but in other parts of the globe. On the flip side, I do respect the Israelis for pulling up there bootstraps and getting their ruck on when times got tough. I just don't agree with most of the policies and practices that stir the pot in that part of the world.

[Tom Odom]

JJackson: Look, if the Palestinians ever stop electing terrorists then we can talk about aid. I'm all for democracy AND THE RESPONSIBILITIES THAT COME WITH IT! If you elect Hamas, you live with the consequences. (Also, until the arming and training of children and combatants ceases, I will oppose any penny that goes to their aid.) If tomorrow Canada, or any country no matter how friendly, elected a political leadership like Hamas or Hezbollah I would cut them off.

Adam L

And I repeat my warning about opinion adding TYPING IN ALL CAPS IS SHOUTING AND WILL NOT BE TOLERATED, Adam.