What do you think America should do as regards Israel?

Question

1) Should America risk angering her Arab “allies” by strongly supporting Israel (even if that means military action)? Or 2) should America take a middle of the road course between supporting Israel while placating the Arabs (as America has previously)? Or 3) should America seek simply to strengthen relations with the Arab nations no matter what the cost to Israel?

Answer 1

America should remove itself from the equation completely. I think our involvement in the "peace process" has actually hampered and forestalled peace. The Israelis and the Palestinians have a much greater incentive to ensure peace in their own land than we do.

Second, I think it is a tremendous waste of our resources. Even if it is believed that we have a national interest at stake (which I hotly dispute), it consumes a disproportionately large amount of our focus. We should be dedicating our resources on things like international protection of Americans' intellectual property rights. Or putting the screws to the Mexican government to liberalize their backward, corrupt economy which has become our problem.

Third, no one has ever been able to give me a direct, solid reason why we should be involved in the Israeli/Palestinian peace process. We had better reasons for getting involved in Iraq and Vietnam than we do with Israel. What is the direct benefit to a dental hygenist in Phoenix, a car salesman in Milwaukee or any other American citizen? Whenever I ask this question, I get the most confabulated answers.

Answer 2

First of all, America should do something we should have done a long time ago and make it illegal for foreign governments to fund lobbying groups here.

Foreign governments should influence us via the executive and judicial branches of government, they should not be represented by our Congress.

Once we are in control of our government again, without the AIPAC using billions of dollars to get people in Illinois to spend their tax dollars on subsidies for Israel, then we can begin to decide what to do based upon what is in the best interest of the actual citizens of America.

Those things would be policies like, no more free weapons for israel, condemnations when they fire missiles into civilian areas, and negotiated settlements. The wall should also come down, it should never have been built.

I think, further, that Jerusalem should be an international city and if it were removed from the control of any one state it would basically settle the conflict.

Answer 3

America should pressure Israel to observe some restraint. As it has been for some time now, Israel is the party which has been doing the overt invasions of Palestinian territories. Israel should also be pressured to stop infringing upon human rights, and submit themselves to UN inspection.

At the same time, as part of its war against terrorism, America should seek Arab cooperation (especially from Palestinians) to end fundamentalist fervour in the region, which is provoking Israel to invade the territories.

Of course, it is probably easier said then done as the issue is not simply political or social or religious, but until a permanent solution as to the sovereignty of the territories can be found, peace ought to be sought.

Answer 4

Its always that "Middle of the road" approach that gets the most of our sons and daughters killed, isn't it.
We need to pick one direction and stay the course.
Israel has taken more from us than they have given.
I used to say protect Israel with all we have, but not so much anymore. I think we should be a lot more friendly to SOME Arab states, but not all. And we should absolutley not change our positions on anything, Until the Arab states ALL denounce, stop funding terrorists, and assist in the breaking up and arresting of terrorist cells and members.

Answer 5

Israel has an estimated 100 nuclear weapons and our foreign policy must be first and foremost to prevent a situation from arising where they will use them, and create the possibility of starting WW III. This means we keep them supplied with conventional weapons so they will not need to go nuclear to survive, and pressure them to settle their problems with the Palestinians. Other than that we should look after our own interest in the middle east, which is securing our oil supply. Countries don't have friends they have interests and we should look after ours.

Answer 6

1. Arab ally is an oxymoron
2. Middle of the road usually doesn't please anyone
3. Only if we enjoy removing knives from our back
4. We should fully support Israel as the only rational and free state in the region.

Answer 7

The Bible says that there is a blessing for those who pray for/support Israel.
I'm not in any position to cut-off my blessings, so I'm going to support Israel in all things...no matter what!
I wish that all of us in the United States would do the same!

Answer 8

I think they should build an NFL football stadium topped with a propeller beanie and call it afraqran and feature the old pig skin flying in the face of reason, give 'em something to do together on Monday nights.

Answer 9

We should (secretly) offer to hold Israel's coat while they kick Arab butt. Of course we would have to publicly condemn Israel's action, but in reality, it would be in the best interests of the entire non Islamic world.

Answer 10

support it.