Why has the U.S been so protective of Isreal?

[Seda]

See topic. I don't know a whole lot about Israeli history, but I'm pretty sure the U.S has been defensive of them since their inception. My question is why? I mean, I don't know of any real oil reserves there, we've been on good terms with the Saudis, and the U.S has never been particularly Jewish.

[King Edward III]

Because their not Muslims.

[Rush Limbaugh]

Not another Israel thread. Because their the only western style democracy in the region. Or should I say republic? Never thought of that.

[Каие]

Not another Israel thread. Because their the only western style democracy in the region. Or should I say republic? Never thought of that.

Republic of Iraq?
Republic of Afghanistan?
Republic of Iran?
Lebanese Republic?
Syrian Arab Republic?
Republic of Yemen?
Arab Republic of Egypt?
Republic of Turkey?

State of Israel?

Are they not republic enough for you?

[Juggernawt]

Republic of Iraq?
Republic of Afghanistan?
Republic of Iran?
Lebanese Republic?
Syrian Arab Republic?
Republic of Yemen?
Arab Republic of Egypt?
Republic of Turkey?

State of Israel?

Are they not republic enough for you?

That's just daft. See below.
People's Republic of China
Republic of Belarus
Republic of Cuba
Democratic People's Republic of Korea
Islamic Republic of Iran


I doubt anyone would call these countries neither democratic nor very republic.

[Каие]

That's just daft. See below.
People's Republic of China
Republic of Belarus
Republic of Cuba
Democratic People's Republic of Korea
Islamic Republic of Iran


I doubt anyone would call these countries neither democratic nor very republic.

Theres nothing wrong with Iran...Of course its not like the US..but nothing democratically....

The rest of those countries are communist....None of the Arabs are...

Also you gave me a list of countries who refuse to bend the knee to the US..

[Major.Stupidity]

Not another Israel thread. Because their the only western style democracy in the region. Or should I say republic? Never thought of that.

Western Style Democracy, please...Don't even get me started on the Israeli cenorship of the media, or its lack of having an actual constitution. But in reference to the topics question, the US support of Israel dates back to the Cold War even then it didn't have the level of support that it does now, it was only after the 1967 war that America threw its lot behind Israel, as seen in the 1973 war. I have one question however, why does America support Israel when two of its soldiers are kidnapped by a 'terrorist' group yet when 8 Turkish soldiers are kidnapped the US pressures Turkey to not invade northern Iraq...

[Roy Batty]

There is more popular support for a nation like Israel in the US. Feel free to explore the why of it yourself, but I personally don't feel it has anything to do with the way Israel is governed, rather that it all stems from religion. Christianity being the ruling religion of the US, as it were, as a whole tends to have a higher regard for Jewish peoples than those of Islamic denomination. That and there is a far stronger Israeli lobby in the US than any with an Islamic tilt. i.e. AIPAC.

[JP226]

See topic. I don't know a whole lot about Israeli history, but I'm pretty sure the U.S has been defensive of them since their inception. My question is why? I mean, I don't know of any real oil reserves there, we've been on good terms with the Saudis, and the U.S has never been particularly Jewish.

At their inception we weren't exactly keen on creating Israel dating back to the balfour declaration. We didn't start to support them until after the six day war when the arabs tried to annihilate them not once, not twice but 3 times.

There is more popular support for a nation like Israel in the US. Feel free to explore the why of it yourself, but I personally don't feel it has anything to do with the way Israel is governed, rather that it all stems from religion. Christianity being the ruling religion of the US, as it were, as a whole tends to have a higher regard for Jewish peoples than those of Islamic denomination. That and there is a far stronger Israeli lobby in the US than any with an Islamic tilt. i.e. AIPAC.

of course. Those damn jews... and those crazy fundamentalist christians, aka the americans

You know what I heard the jews were behind 9/11 AND the rule the economy. Damn money changers.

[Seda]

You know what I heard the jews were behind 9/11 AND the rule the economy. Damn money changers.

Now, let's not even go there. Lunar's still in business, isn't he?

[Last Roman]

of course. Those damn jews... and those crazy fundamentalist christians, aka the americans

You know what I heard the jews were behind 9/11 AND the rule the economy. Damn money changers.

mock all you want, it's undeniable that the Israeli lobby is pretty powerful


anyhoo, I know why the government is so supportive, but as to whether it's the right thing to do, I question.

[Roy Batty]

of course. Those damn jews... and those crazy fundamentalist christians, aka the americans

You know what I heard the jews were behind 9/11 AND the rule the economy. Damn money changers.

What a ridiculous post. It's hysterical replies such as this to completely neutral posts about Israel that would normally keep me from touching the subject. It breaks my heart to see a usually intelligent poster such as yourself making such replies.

I remember reading that the Soviets once asked Reagan "There are hundreds of millions of Arabs, and only a handful of Israelis, why do you support them against all that?" and he said "because its right".

Funny. I never figured Reagan for a man to break the world down into right and wrong, black and white. I for one don't think it is as simple as "right" and "wrong".

That is my view on it. It is the right thing to do. A free, progressive society that has only been around for 60 years yet already dwarfs its backward, 15th century neighbors in prosperity, education, scientific advancement, and human development. And it manages to do all that without having the massive oil crutch that the rest of the region relies on to simply stay above sub saharan africa in terms of standard of living.

That is made possible only by the vast amounts of foreign aid Israel receives from the US every year. If Lebanon or Syria received as much aid as Israel had in the beginning, would the Middle East be the same as it is today? Would the quality of living not be better all around?

So yeah, a thriving, modern, democratic state surrounded by terrorists and backward thugs executing homosexuals, making their women wear sheets, and blowing themselves up for virgins... I'll take Israel.

Way to reduce the Middle East to an ethnocentric viewpoint of generalizations. Good job!

[Joker85]

That is made possible only by the vast amounts of foreign aid Israel receives from the US every year. If Lebanon or Syria received as much aid as Israel had in the beginning, would the Middle East be the same as it is today? Would the quality of living not be better all around?

Wrong. Please take the time to gather the facts about what you speak.

US economic aid accounts for 0.07% of Israeli GDP. Yes, that is the difference between living like an advanced western society, or dirt poor 2nd world country. At its height, it was under 5%.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Economy_of_Israel

Furthermore, the US gives equal aid to Egypt in return for their peace deal with Israel.

The Arabs have hundreds of billions worth of oil, and live like trash, Israel has nothing but half a percent of aid from the US, and is by far the most advanced, and prosperous country in the region. And is top 20 world wide.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of...elopment_Index

[Roy Batty]

Wrong. Please take the time to gather the facts about what you speak.

US economic aid accounts for 0.07% of Israeli GDP. Yes, that is the difference between living like an advanced western society, or dirt poor 2nd world country. At its height, it was under 5%.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Economy_of_Israel

Aha... yes... of course the veritable "gift" of at least 3 billion dollars to that nation every year since... what? 1972? ... Has nothing to do with its economic success. Would Israel remain the shining beacon of prosperity it is now if it no longer enjoyed such massive popular support in the US? I for one hardly think so.

Furthermore, the US gives equal aid to Egypt in return for their peace deal with Israel.

Equal? Almost, but not quite, though I don't dispute that Egypt enjoys the second highest (financial) amount of US foreign aid. But, does Congress regularly forgive such loans made to Egypt as it does for those made to Israel? And I ask this as an honest query. I really don't know.

The Arabs have hundreds of billions worth of oil, and live like trash,

So there is oil in every Arab country and there is no social stratification in the entire Arab world? They all "live like trash" without wealth, education, sanitation and all the conveniences that make a person not "trash"? Such an assertion sir is ridiculous.

I'm not demonizing Israel nor am I placing Arabs on some kind of pedestal of excellence, so why even make such comments?

Israel has nothing but half a percent of aid from the US, and is by far the most advanced, and prosperous country in the region. And is top 20 world wide.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of...elopment_Index

Good for Israel! A true Cinderella story of a country, let me tell you!

As Joker pointed out your assertion is outright false. Lebanon and Syria are economic disasters because of civil strife caused by internal **** ups. That combined with Pan Arabism being only give lip service by local regional powers and question becomes How with all that money do Middle Eastern states lag behind Israel ? The answer has more to do with poor policy then with those "Evil Jews" .

You are addressing assertions I never made and making underhanded insinuations that I am some kind of racist and anti-Semite.

Thanks for "participating" in yet another lovely discussion on the topic of Israel.

[Joker85]

Aha... yes... of course the veritable "gift" of at least 3 billion dollars to that nation every year since... what? 1972? ... Has nothing to do with its economic success. Would Israel remain the shining beacon of prosperity it is now if it no longer enjoyed such massive popular support in the US? I for one hardly think so.

As I have pointed out, 3b is insignificant when your economy is 195billion. Oh, and it is down to about 195m as of 2007.

Equal? Almost, but not quite, though I don't dispute that Egypt enjoys the second highest (financial) amount of US foreign aid. But, does Congress regularly forgive such loans made to Egypt as it does for those made to Israel? And I ask this as an honest query. I really don't know.

Not sure. I was led to believe that the aid agreements reached as part of the peace settlement between Egypt and Israel were permanent.

So there is oil in every Arab country and there is no social stratification in the entire Arab world? They all "live like trash" without wealth, education, sanitation and all the conveniences that make a person not "trash"? Such an assertion sir is ridiculous.

Live like trash compared to Israel and first world countries, yes. Most of that is their own doing. Of course they are not living in huts, but again it is all relative. If I had to live as they do, I would consider it trash. Especially having a nation right in the heart of my region showing, by its very existence, that my standard of living is a lot more cultural and political than it is "bad luck sucks to me be".

Good for Israel! A true Cinderella story of a country, let me tell you!

Indeed.

[Duke_of_Bavaria]

Way to reduce the Middle East to an ethnocentric viewpoint of generalizations. Good job!

Unfortunately it's awfully true. Israel is the only true democracy there.

[Hookah Smoking Caterpiller]

They like the jewish vote

[jankren]

Israel is an important satellite.

[sephodwyrm]

Israel is not an oil producing country but it is right next to a lot of them.
It also provides a lot of smart people for the American R&D.
So yes, it is pretty much a satellite.

[Oldgamer]

Israel is not an oil producing country but it is right next to a lot of them.
It also provides a lot of smart people for the American R&D.
So yes, it is pretty much a satellite.

It's not about oil, with Israel, any more than it was in Iraq. It's about a nation that we have historic ties with, is a democracy, and is our only military ally in a vital region. This is not an insult to Turkey, but they are a big question mark for me, at the moment ...