Why are we supporting Israel?

[muckmaw]

I'm trying to figure this one out.

So far, what I've read this morning, I disagree with Bush's statement. Although I am very uneducated on this situation, I don't feel Israel should have anyone in the West Bank or Gaza.

But my question is this:

We put ourselves on the line for supporting Israel.

Why do we do it?  What's in it for the United States?

So we have an ally in the Middle East. So what? They seem to need us alot more than we need them.

But like I said, I know little about this. So what do we get from this relationship? (Aside from the Jewish vote)

[LePaul]

Originally posted by muckmaw
But like I said, I know little about this. So what do we get from this relationship? (Aside from the Jewish vote)

That and oodles of military sales

Beyond that, beats me.  Its the homeland for a good chunk of the population, I suppose.

[_Schadenfreude_]

Never understood it myself, I mean you've got Turkey and  even Egypt now as close allies - hell isn't Turkey even in Nato?

But I think you got it in your last sentence - it comes down to the Jewish vote in the USA.

[gofaster]

Political pressure.  Goes way back to turn of the century/pre-WW1 time period.  There's an interesting book I picked up from B&N called "History of Warfare In The Middle East" and starts with the occupation of Palestine and the creation of Israel.  Interesting book.  Explains a lot of things.

Think of it this way: if the Anglo-Americans wanted to invade Ireland and make it a single nation, and had the US votes to support it, they would.

That's why we support Israel - because enough American citizens care about having a Jewish homeland.

[Capt. Pork]

Has anybody ever bothered to consider that Israel is a good thing in which to invest?

They're leaders in medical, genetic and microprocessor research. They produce more internationally significant scientific minds than all the other middle Eastern Countries combined.

Without prolonged US support, dare I say none of this would have been possible.

Oh yeah, and another small thing. We can count on their support when any or all of their neighbors have like-minded muslim states to whom they will always be loyal before us.

[muckmaw]

Originally posted by Capt. Pork
Has anybody ever bothered to consider that Israel is a good thing in which to invest?

They're leaders in medical, genetic and microprocessor research. They produce more internationally significant scientific minds than all the other middle Eastern Countries combined.

Without prolonged US support, dare I say none of this would have been possible.

So let's make the german scientists and import them.

Put them all on boat to the good ol' US of A and let he Pals have the place.

Of course, we run into that whole, "Sacred Land" thing.

I guess I just dont get it because I'm not religious.

So far, from what I've read here, I see no reason to support Israel.

[Capt. Pork]

Originally posted by muckmaw
So let's make the german scientists and import them.

Put them all on boat to the good ol' US of A and let he Pals have the place.

What the hell does that mean? Make the German scientists? The point is, the Israelis have a tradition, that they've developed from long-standing traditions of intellectual excellence that predate Israel. It would not exist just anywhere else. It is a product of their societ.

Of course, we run into that whole, "Sacred Land" thing.

I guess I just dont get it because I'm not religious.

If you think Judiasm is just religion, you need to do more reading.

[bozon]

the land of Israel is not "sacred land" to the Zionists. Religion has nothing to do with it.
The religious stupid idiots you see dancing on the hills in the west bank are not zionists - they are idiots who call themselves zionists.

the USA has to support Israel otherwise we will destroy it.

Bozon

[Capt. Pork]

Originally posted by bozon


the USA has to support Israel otherwise we will destroy it.

Bozon

Not to be dense, but who is 'we', exactly?

[Batz]

Because fundamentalists Christians and Jews spend lotsa money lobbying our government to support Israel.

[bozon]

we = the Jews

[AKcurly]

Originally posted by muckmaw

But like I said, I know little about this. So what do we get from this relationship? (Aside from the Jewish vote)

So far as I know, there are 3 issues at work.

1. Jewish vote (as you noted)
2. Israel is the only country in the middle east with politicians elected by popular vote.
3. A residual amount of guilt left over by the lack of US / Brit response to the Jews trying to flee Europe during WW2.

curly

[Bodhi]

I am not Jewish, and I am for supporting Israel.  Reason is the simple fact that Israel is an ally, and they have had to defend themselves from terrorist behavior since long before I came along.  Simply put, I'd rather have Israel around then the Palestinians in their current state.

[muckmaw]

Originally posted by Capt. Pork
What the hell does that mean? Make the German scientists? The point is, the Israelis have a tradition, that they've developed from long-standing traditions of intellectual excellence that predate Israel. It would not exist just anywhere else. It is a product of their societ.

 

If you think Judiasm is just religion, you need to do more reading.

That means, import Israeli's people, like we did with the German Scientists after WWII. (Gunther Wendt and company.)

So if Judaism is not a religion, what is it? A state of mind?

[muckmaw]

There's another angle I forgot to mention that we should consider.

I do not remember where I read this but found it compelling at the time.

There is another group in the US, even larger and more influential who is just as interested in keeping an Israeli state...

The Religious Right....the real hardcore Christian Fundamentalists.

Here's why. Accoding to the article I read, the Christian Funds. Believe that the sescond coming of Christ cannot happen until Armegeddon which is supposed to start in Israel.

Apparently, they believe if there is no Israel, there can be no Armegeddon and therefore, no second coming.