I sometimes wonder why in this country it is such a serious political infraction to disagree with anything Israel does. Certainly more serious than criticizing the Pope.
2006-09-24 04:40:37 · 15 answers · asked by Dr. Sabetudo 3 in Politics & Government ➔ Other - Politics & Government
Dear Dr Sabetudo,
It is true that Israel has near-sacrosanct status in the US. This is due to two reasons, I think. One is that the plight of Israel is one that many Americans can relate to - it is after all the story of a state founded by a people persecuted for its religious beliefs. There is something there which resonates deeply with the pioneering, Protestant spirit upon which part of the American identity is built.
The other reason is far more prosaic - the US simply has a large, wealthy and powerful Jewish lobby. Just as many European states cannot afford to be too rash on the Arab world because of their own large Muslim minorities, the US cannot afford to appear too opposed to Israeli policy. Israel has undeniably made serious mistakes in the past (particularly as regards the treatment of Palestinians) yet the US has never voiced more than very mild criticism of Tel Aviv. This, indeed, is why so many misled radicals in the Middle East tend to believe that there is a huge Judaeo-Christian conspiracy afoot against them.
I am not anti-Israel at all. I do believe that the Jews of the world deserved a land of their own to be safe, and I greatly admire the Israeli courage and determination in the face of all odds. It is also an enormous credit to Israel (and this is never noticed enough) that it managed to remain a smoothly functioning civilian democracy, despite the fact that it has been almost continuously at war with its neighbours since its inception and that the Israeli military has such a large influence in the country. There are great lessons to be learnt here for the rest of us - democracy and a constant mindset of warfare are seldom compatible, as the great anti-democrats of this world know well enough!
Nevertheless, I do find it a shame that constructive criticism of Israeli policy is so irrationally stifled in the US. If we sincerely care for the cause of peace and human rights around the world, then surely, choosing to turn a blind eye to these infringements when our own friends commit them is sheer hypocrisy. I find it especially distasteful that no one can express scepticism about Israeli policy without being brazenly labelled as anti-Semitic.
Hope this helped,
2006-09-24 06:49:04 · answer #1 · answered by Weishide 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
It would be more peaceful - at least in the Middle East. That's a no brainer. Israel was destroyed in 70 AD by the Romans. There should be no Israel according to history. The Brits and the US changed all that. What a fiasco!
2006-09-24 04:45:15 · answer #2 · answered by Gene Rocks! 5 · 4⤊ 1⤋
No as far as I'm concerned, it's always been there. It was created and was a thriving country before I was born. You're right about the near ban on critizing Israel. One reason: they have a large propaganda machine with branches in the US. Do you remember all those clean cut well spoken Israeli Ministry officials and military commanders who suddenly popped up on TV during the Lebanon bombing? They are so much better than Karen Hughes.
2006-09-24 04:44:28 · answer #3 · answered by ? 5 · 1⤊ 2⤋
'We all live in a yellow submarine'- came into my head while reading that question! I'm sorry dude- that stuff is so messed up who knows what's right and wrong- but I don't mean ANY disrespect to the Jews or anyone - I just equally hate it all at this point-
2006-09-24 05:00:48 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
It would be peaceful. What the Jews should do is give back the country and ask the native peoples if they can live there. If the God of Israel whats them there, he will destroy their enemies.
I think MAN and the U.N. jumped ahead of Israel God.
2006-09-24 04:47:09 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 1⤋
Well to think of all the problems it has caused you have to wonder what boy genius suggested it. I have heard that the jews were offered another parcel of land for their country but declined it. I have also heard that the land they now occupy was also promised to the arabs. I find it sad that religion can cause so much death and destruction.
2006-09-24 04:45:12 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 1⤋
I always wondered why everything that this country or Israel does is criticized and acts of other countries are ignored. So.... why do you hate the Jews?
2006-09-24 04:45:15 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 4⤋
You are sounding more like a terrorist every day.
Don't hate the radicals who won't let people live in peace, hate the people who try to stop them. Good luck with this.
2006-09-24 05:11:22 · answer #8 · answered by ? 7 · 1⤊ 2⤋
Deutschland, Deutschland uber alles...
2006-09-24 09:39:51 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋
they created it by taking away the land inhabited by the palastininas for 2,000 years, why cant they live in peace?
2006-09-24 04:51:45 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 1⤋