Israel and American foreign policy
Reader comment on item: Democrats, Republicans, and Israel

Submitted by Lisette Murad (United States), May 29, 2006 at 22:47

Montreal, May 29th'06

Dear Sir:

A few comments on US bipartisan support for Israel since the Jewish State emerged in 1948.

Democrats, in general, espouse a liberal ideology that focuses on supporting the underdog. The Jews, having survived the atrocities of WWII, were seen as the downtrodden, the oppressed, and as a result, the democrats were sympathetic to their plight. Nowadays, they view Israel as a power, while the Palestinian Arabs are regarded as "occupied", despite the fact that such an analogy is ludicrous and devoid of any historical/moral equivalence.

However, what is more frightening and disturbing, is the convergence of the Democratic platform with far left-wing ideology, conspiracy theories and anti-American, anti-Israeli/Jewish sentiments. In addition to Jimmy Carter, Jesse Jackson, Cynthia McKinney, and James Moran that you mentioned, there are numerous others. A search on Theresa Heinz, for example, the wife of Senator Kerry, whose husband was a contender for the US presidency, reveals a strong support base for radical organizations and Islam apologists. Similarly, Hilary Clinton, wife of President Clinton, embraced Suha Arafat after the latter's speech accusing Jews of blood libel.

As for the Republicans, whose views I consider more "pro-Israel", on closer look are quite purturbing. President Richard Nixon, was hardly pro-Jewish. He made numerous derogatory and what can easily be construed as anti-semitic comments re:Jews. Many believe that in the 1973 war, Israel almost perished due to the lack of early military assistance between the Nixon administration and the beleaguered Jewish State. Israel was "left to bleed" for a while before US intervention to appease Arab countries after their humiliating defeat in the Six Day War. Similarly, the first Bush administration, formed an alliance with Arab nations, and refused to allow Israel to even defend itself against incoming Iraqi scuds, thus paving the way for current Israeli image of weakness, and its lack of defence for its own citizens.

I disagree with your analysis of the third era. Before the fall of the Soviet Empire, many Republicans were more pro-Israel, because they viewed Israel as a buffer preventing Soviet domination of the Middle-East region. With the end of the cold war, the Soviet threat diminished and Israel was no longer as much an important ally. "Moderate" Arab States were being sought and courted. President George W. Bush was the first American President to speak in an address of a Jewish state and a Palestinian state living side by side in "peace" and "security", giving financial and political legitimacy (occurred under the Clinton administration as well), to Palestinian claims and thus their "struggle" against the Jewish State.

Moreover, he continues to support and recently called courageous and bold, undemocratic and suicidal plans, of evicting more than 100,000 taxpaying Israeli citizens from their homes and land and destroying their communities( not heard of in any democratic or for that matter civilized nation), while applauding himself for bringing "democracy" to the Iraqi people, through "voting".

Perhaps, one can speak of a fourth era, that began after the slaughter of 3000 Americans on 911. Generally, the Republicans began to identify more with daily Israeli suffering and the need to address security issues, while more democrats viewed American support for Israel as being the "root cause" for terror in their homeland.

A quick point re: your assessment of future trend voting by Jews. I am fairly certain, that Jews will continue to vote democrat and not republican. A large number of American Jews have never even visited Israel, and feel no connection to the land. Assimilation is common and stands at 80%. Furthermore, many American Jews regard their Judaism as Liberalism and will more likely vote for Liberal candidates, partly out of fear of conservative policies which they view as the "religious right" limiting their freedoms. Similarly, the vast majority of Canadian Jews voted Liberal despite the Liberal government's abominable record in not voting against UN resolutions condemning Israel.

In conclusion, America will act according to its own interests and not Israel's. It seeks an Arab alliance for many reasons, not simply economic (also to appeal to increasing Moslem populations, to prevent terrorism on its soil etc...). Thus, Israel will continue to be marginalized. Americans have fought and died to liberate Kuwait, while Kuwaitis danced in Discos. Americans fight and die today in Iraq, to bring a better life to the Iraqi people. But American soldiers were never sent to fight/die defending the Jewish State, even when Israel, was facing annihilation.

Whether Democrats or Republicans, Israel will be the loser. Only Israel can save Israel, by defending its own people and fighting for what is legitimately hers. Sadly, the opposite is unfolding. Only history will tell if this destructive course will be reversed. If not, a great tragedy will again befall the Jewish people and the world at large.

Best regards,

Lisette Murad, Montreal Canada

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