What are America's interests in Israel ?

Question

Why is America such good "bedfellows" with Israel?

Call me ignorant, but when your "friend" becomes a liability, was or is this entity still you friend?

Isn't it amazing how a humans have been squabling over a piece of land for thousands of years. When does one say, enough of the killing, and revenge? Like some gang-turf war...

Answer 1

Freedom!

Answer 2

Well, for Israel losing one battle means losing everything including their country. You have to remember that Israel is not the aggressor here, the Arab fractions that proclaim the destruction of the state of Israel are the aggressors. Until these fractions come to terms with the fact that Israel is a sovereign nation and has the right to exist then there will probably not be any peace in that part of the world. If someone keeps beating you up and taking your lunch money every day, do you:
a) lay down and say OK I'm here for my daily beating and by the way, you can also take everything I own
b) You strive for self respect, stand up to your aggressors and make it a point that annyone else who tries to do the same thing will pay a price

The United States has to support Israel on principle as a sovereign nation that has the right to exist. Much as it supported Kuwait when Iraq decided to invade it.

For ISrael it's not about revenge, it's about survival.

Answer 3

America was the first country to recognize Israel as a nation. We gave them their military supplies; we give them a substantial portion of our foreign aid; we even gave them their nuclear weapon.
There are a lot of Jewish immigrants in America who feel that Israel is like another home to them, a place where they are safe from something like the Holocaust ever happening again. And remember - we were the country that liberated some of the death camps. Those images linger in the national conscience even today. Moreover, a lot of Americans are fundamentalist Christians, and it's important to them that the Holy Land remain in what they see as a more tolerant faith - Judaism - than a faith as foreign to them as Islam (though all three faiths are Abrahamic). They also see the reestablishment of the Kingdom of Israel as a condition which will get us closer to the day of Judgement. Why they want to rush Armaggedeon is beyond me, but there you go.
Politically, Israel also gives us a foothold in the oil-rich Persian Gulf - something the government thinks we desperately need. Israel serves as our "model democracy" over there, and they let us launch things from their territory. They also serve as our ally, and we overlook them violating UN sanctions, killing Palestinians, building walls, etc.

Answer 4

Because Israel represents American interests in a region that has a lot of anti-american sentiment.

I think you are right, of course. It would be better for the US to loosen its ties with Israel because the way Israel operates its military is unwise and dangerous. However, the US has interests in that type of activity b/c the US is also afraid of the middle east.

So long as Israel remains a middle eastern democracy that stands for "american values" and does the untied states' dirty work, the relationship will remain strong.

Answer 5

america
truth
pipelined oil from Afghanistan and Iraq into Israel, who made an agreement to sell this oil to America.
Now if america backs em up, we will get oil, if not, we're screwed.
Now if the pact is broken, which israel will break, ie conventant with antichrist?
All between UK and USA who is the anti and who is the servent or haindmaiden or whore.
Greed has wreaked havoc on all people, check Africa out.

Answer 6

We are friends with israel because most Americans feel that Israel deserves it's own nation because most religious people know that Israel is God's chosen Nation adn because we believe in the underdogs and we believe in independance... i guess

Answer 7

May I dare to correct Amanda_C, 1st the question was for America, not the religious fanatics, and secondly how is a nation chosen when it took more than one prophet to fix it, and yet it turns around and crucifies the prophet..Don`t you so called religious have no shame to worship your Jesus`s killers...shame shame shame...
and cut that Anti-semitism s***.....It`s getting old.

Answer 8

The funds to support their war.
It could also be possible that the term friend was not a true translation.

Answer 9

Lots of Jews vote in this country. Just ask Harry Truman.

Answer 10

I second JG. Well said.