[thecavemaster]

"To offer an honorable solution to the Palestinians respecting their right to self-determination. That is the solution to the problem of terrorism. When the swamp disappears, there will be no more mosquitos." from Yehoshaphat Harkabi, former head of Israeli military intelligence...

The poison of religion says that Israel must always be supported, no matter its actions, because, I guess, "Well, they's god's chosen people." However, if US policy insists on creating more swamps, there will always be more mosquitos. We should focus our policy on draining the swamps!

[EKY Sportster]

Israel is entitled to their rightful land. That doesn't mean that you have to agree with all that Israel does. I don't even agree with all that we do in our own country. However, the Palestinians also claim part of Israel's land as well. Christians have to go by the Bible, and the Palestinians have their own as well. So it really just depends on what faith you believe in. One thing for certain is that the Israelis and Palestinians will never agree on the issue. There may come a day where an agreement is forced on them, but they will never truly agree.

[thecavemaster]

Religion poisons everything. What difference does "what faith you have" have to do with justice and basic human rights? "In the name of 'god' it is o.k to colonize, imperialize, shove and push and deprive" ?

[Chuck Taylor]

Ehud Barak offered a great deal to the Palestinian leaders during the Middle East Peace Summit at Camp David in July 2000. Don't see as good of deal being offered anytime soon. Barak, Bill Clinton and Prince Bandar of Saudi Arabia placed the blame of the failed summit on Yasser Arafat. Barak claimed he exposed "Arafat's true intentions". Following the failure at Camp David, the Palestinian al-Aqsa Intifada erupted.

[vundy33]

Israel is a great ally...can't afford to cut ties with them IMO.

[thecavemaster]

Israel is a great ally...can't afford to cut ties with them IMO.

I agree that alienating Israel is not an option; however, too much of US foreign policy in the past has been to overlook injustice and downright atrocities committed by allies of "strategic importance." IMO this actually weakens the overall security and reputation of the US.

[vundy33]

I agree that alienating Israel is not an option; however, too much of US foreign policy in the past has been to overlook injustice and downright atrocities committed by allies of "strategic importance." IMO this actually weakens the overall security and reputation of the US.

True...

[EKY Sportster]

Too much US foreign policy around the entire world is the problem with our image. And that goes way beyond Israel. We need to stand by our allies, especially Israel, but stay out of the business of other countries on the things that really don't matter so much. A little bit of "mind your own business" wouldn't hurt us. But on topic, we need to support and defend our strategic allies when it matters instead of tip toeing around everything.

[thecavemaster]

Too much US foreign policy around the entire world is the problem with our image. And that goes way beyond Israel. We need to stand by our allies, especially Israel, but stay out of the business of other countries on the things that really don't matter so much. A little bit of "mind your own business" wouldn't hurt us. But on topic, we need to support and defend our strategic allies when it matters instead of tip toeing around everything.

If the US seeks to "no hypocrite" its claims to champion freedom and democracy around the world, we cannot pick and choose. If we are for freedom when it suits our purposes, our best interest, but support brutal regimes for the same reasons, we are much like a bully on the playground who controls everything by his strength, and is liked by only those in his inner circle...despised by the bullied masses.