any history buffs?

Question

What is the US position on the Israel-Palestinian conflict?

If you could help me that would be GREAT...thanks :)

Answer 1

The US is currently part of the quartet (USA, EU, UN and Russia) involved in brokering an Israeli/Palestinian peace accord and two-state resolution.

US provides military and intelligence aid to Israel, but also had (until the election of the HAMAS government in Palestine) provided millions in aid to Palestinians as well.

The position the US takes is supporting capitalist democracies, especially in the Middle East. It supports Egypt as well (although that's a loosely termed democracy), and Turkey and now Iraq. It also supports other nations like Jordan, Saudi Arabia, Pakistan, Kuwait, UAE, and others who are more dictatorial/imperial, but operate non-aggressively and in a capitalist economy. The Palestinians are not able to do either (democratic government/non-aggressive or capitalist economy/non-aggressive). The Palestinians have consistently chosen leadership and policies that are aggressive towards both Israeli and American interests. Some of this is understandable. Though the Arab League nations did not approve of the 1948 UN resolution creating Israel proper, their claims of occupation are a bit stretched. 70% of the land Israel is made up of today, was PURCHASED legally from Christians and Arabs by Jews or Jewish organizations. The other 30% was land confiscated by Israel during conflicts with various Arab alliances or as buffers against terrorist groups. The Golan Heights example is the worst among Israel's incursions into Arab lands. But comprehensively viewed, Israel has defended its borders much more than it has sought to extend them.

As for the US, their position is to support peace and democracy. They support it in Israel, and they push for it in the Palestinian territories, because peace in Palestine will or should mean peace in Israel. Let us not forget the Knesset is made up of Jewish, Christian and Arab delegates, and therefore Israel does have a track record of opening government to all religions and ethnicities. The power play here is from outside Palestine (Syria, Iran, Hezbollah, Saudi Arabia) who use the Palestinian situation to augment their own power or influence. The US opposes such exploitation, and engages directly with all peaceful elements of Palestinian representation to further peace and cooperation prospects in the region. I think of ALL the players in this conflict, the US is probably (although many will scream to the contrary) the FAIREST broker between the two sides, as we have had the longest and most in-depth contact and relationships with both Israel and Palestine. When we invite Arafat and Barak or Rabin to our nation to discuss their future, when we open up dialogue and aid to Abbas, when we sponsor peace talks and financial aid to Palestine, when few take a similar view or action, it is hard to fault US policy or action vis a vis Palestine.

At the end of the day, Palestinians must want peace with Israel if they want peace in their homeland. Any other recourse will lead to violence and death, which neither Israel nor the US want.

Answer 2

originally the US was none too happy with Israel, and supported the arab nations (all the west did, while the USSR supported Israel. All bone by intermediaries).
Then the USSR managed to pull off several coups in the arab states, eg. owerthrowing the gov'ts of Iraq, egypt, syria, libya and installing friendly gov'ts in algeria. The US was left with no allies in a strategic area, and there was no one but Israel to turn to. And that's how things are since around the 6 day war.

Same situation (shifted alliances) happened in the Somalia/ Ethiopia conflict in the 70's

Answer 3

Its predominantly pro-israel, evidenced with the military funding it gives to Israel and with Israel receiving more aid than any other country. Infact, it receives more aid than most other countries combined.

And that is just the tip of the iceberg :P

Answer 4

I would hope it is to stand with Israel. God told Abram in
Genesis 12:2 - And I will make of thee a great nation, and I will bless thee, and make thy name great,and thou shall be a blessing:
12:3 - And I will bless them that bless thee, and curse him that
curseth thee: and in thee shall all families of the earth be
blessed.