Why Bill Clinton said he would "fight and die" for Israel?

Question

"If Iraq came across the Jordan River, I would grab a rifle and get in the trench and fight and die" -Bill Clinton at a Toronto jewish fundraiser
It seems with people in general, he or she will always make a statement that comes out of nowhere. How does a non-Jewish guy from Arkansas get to believe this? or is it just a political statement or do people nowadays make grand statements easily?

Answer 1

It's called hyperbole.

Clinton is stating how closely he feels Israel is a friend and ally who must be supported, and he's colorfully illustrating how strongly he feels about it.

He wouldn't really pick up a rifle and go to a trench. Just like people don't literally mean they will plant a foot in your buttocks when they say things like "kick your @ss"

Edit: Apparently one of the posters above thinks taking a deferrment is the same as leaving the country. That puts almost the entire Bush administration in the same boat as Clinton, along with most of the right-wing talking heads.

That person also believes that Oxford is in Canada. Maybe he/she should post a question in the geography section, since Clinton didn't actually spend time in Canada during the Viet Nam conflict.

Answer 2

Liberals look at the big picture and give actual thought to whatever the situation is and do not just give off the cuff thoughtless answers due to ignorance. Liberals actually think Israel is a great ally to America and want the best for Israel and also want a peacefull resolution between Israel and all Arab nations. Liberals believe that neither Israel or the Palestinians have really done anywhere near what is necessary for a real peace between them. If they want peace they BOTH need to talk and be real about it. Liberals don't see anything changing anytime soon and Liberals see that the RepubliCONs love to paint false pictures of what we think and what the President and Democrats think or do. The GOP Tea Party RepubliCONs are basically not to be believed by anyone.

Answer 3

This statement was actually made in 1992, telling Israel he would support them if there country was all out invaded by Iraq, just like The Bushes and Reagan's have promised, why this is brought up after 14 years makes me wonder.
I allways find it weard when I find people who bash his past military record and support Bushes past military record, maybe a little bias

Answer 4

No chance Bill could have ever made the grade in the IDF.

Even if he were a natural born Israelite from Tel Aviv, his military duty would probably be deferred.

I know Jewish women with more sack than he's ever displayed

Answer 5

Political statement. Clinton may be a Democrat, but he is still part of the evil government machine. He knows why we need Israel there, all politicians do.

Answer 6

What is wrong with that? I'm not Jewish and I have always supported Israel. If there ever comes a time to fight, I would.

Answer 7

Perhaps he was saying that he would fight and die for Palestine.

The Clinton peace plan was the best and last offer. Arafat blew it. His estate should give back his Nobel Prize and the 1 million euros that went with it.

Answer 8

Maybe he believes that democracy in the middle east should blossom, as it does in Israel. Maybe he is just a shamless political hack who say anything to get the approval of that particular group.

Answer 9

Ironic, Clinton wouldn't even fight for his country and ran to Canada during Vietnam conflict

Answer 10

He is a politican, and much like Kerry, you know, he was " for it before he was against it . . . . "

He was talking to the Jewish community so, what else would he say? " I would tuck tail and run like a scared little kid!"

Politicans say what the people they are talking too want to hear, No more, No less