Which candidae will be best for the Isreali and Palestinian issue? (vote, Iraq)

[TnHilltopper]

Originally Posted by suzco

I hope so. To get back to whether McCain or Obama would be better, we might be better off with a president whose political support and base is not dependent on Christian fundamentalists looking forward to the rapture and fulfilling their beliefs in their bible.

I couldn't agree more and this is one component about this issue and our relations with Israel that are political poison ivy. They are just simply never talked about.

[calmdude]

Originally Posted by TnHilltopper

I couldn't agree more and this is one component about this issue and our relations with Israel that are political poison ivy. They are just simply never talked about.

The media, our elevted officials, people on the street, everyone seems to be terrified to talk openly about this. Amazing!

[TnHilltopper]

Especially since it is such a key component to our entire foreign policy in the Middle East. I would even venture to say that it is a 40-50% share of anything we do in the region.

I have no problems and even support a sound relationship with Israel, I would like to see a relationship that is on the same playing field as every other close ally to the United States such as the UK, or Germany, or France, etc... As it is today in our dialog, UN discussions, or any debate on global issues, the phrase, "The US and Israel" is so universal that one might think Israel is the 51st state. This relationship needs to be reevaluated in my opinion and altered from its current context.

[paperhouse]

Originally Posted by ZGACK

The Palestinians don't deserve 'fairness'. They deserve to be annihilated.

Are you volunteering for the Israeli army anytime soon? I certainly don't think it's wise to spend my tax money killing people that have done nothing to me.

[calmdude]

Originally Posted by TnHilltopper

Especially since it is such a key component to our entire foreign policy in the Middle East. I would even venture to say that it is a 40-50% share of anything we do in the region.

I have no problems and even support a sound relationship with Israel, I would like to see a relationship that is on the same playing field as every other close ally to the United States such as the UK, or Germany, or France, etc... As it is today in our dialog, UN discussions, or any debate on global issues, the phrase, "The US and Israel" is so universal that one might think Israel is the 51st state. This relationship needs to be reevaluated in my opinion and altered from its current context.

The only debate between the 2 parties against any country that is against Israel is about the kind of weapons to be used to destroy that "enemy".
Israel needs to take a good look around them. They cannot escape the geography. They themselves need to be doing a lot more to work with some of the countries there. It will take a long time to get rid of the mutual haterd - but they need to start managing things better and not come running to uncle sam everytime there is a problem. Uncle sam is not going to be as powerful and influential 50 years from now.

[calmdude]

Originally Posted by ZGACK

The Palestinians don't deserve 'fairness'. They deserve to be annihilated.

Thankfully, the majority of Israelis do not share your view; that is why they are in peace talks.

[mark85]

How many innnocent American lives is the unwavering US support of Israel worth? If there is another 9/11 or worse, such as a nuclear terrorist attack with hundreds of thousands of lives lost (which would be largely motivated by our support of Israel). Is it worth it?

[TnHilltopper]

Originally Posted by calmdude

but they need to start managing things better and not come running to uncle sam everytime there is a problem. Uncle sam is not going to be as powerful and influential 50 years from now.

I made a point during the primaries in a Ron Paul thread where a group of folks called "Jews for Ron Paul" put forth an interesting argument that I mentioned even previously.

If the US were to befall on hard economic times and people feel a tangible pinch in their pocketbooks, one of the first things to come under scrutiny is spending abroad. I don't think many people realize how much of Israel's economy is dependent upon the US. If funding were to dry up or be severely restricted, Israel is then facing a very tough neighborhood far more alone. It would be in their best interest to work towards a solution on their own, even without US or world help or with it completely objectively. Without the United States, Israel will cease to exist as it does today, it is just that simple.

[luzianne]

I cannot believe what I am reading. It just reinforces that McCain has to win this election.

[suzco]

Originally Posted by TnHilltopper

Especially since it is such a key component to our entire foreign policy in the Middle East. I would even venture to say that it is a 40-50% share of anything we do in the region.

I have no problems and even support a sound relationship with Israel, I would like to see a relationship that is on the same playing field as every other close ally to the United States such as the UK, or Germany, or France, etc... As it is today in our dialog, UN discussions, or any debate on global issues, the phrase, "The US and Israel" is so universal that one might think Israel is the 51st state. This relationship needs to be reevaluated in my opinion and altered from its current context.

On a simplistic level, the fundamentalist christian/neocon influence on our policy in the Middle East has resulted in the public discourse in the U.S. treating the Israel/Arab issue as primarily a religious dispute, rather than the existential, territorial, right to exist conflict that it is. It does not have its roots in Muslim terrorism, and the conflation with the issues of the war on terror has only created more tension and danger.