Do you think that the US-Israel relationship benefits only the power elites of both countries, or do ordinary Americans gain as well? \nIf so, what? \nIf not, why?
212564
Many reasons why US govt considers important.\n\n1.  Base in Middle East - Israel is the ally that keeps the power of the arabs in check and offers unquestionable support to US for that privilege. Oil is a serious issue, and Middle East is the largest supplier of oil. As long as the Arab states keep fighting each other, the OPEC is weak. Offering permanent solutions to Middle East problem is very harmful for world economy. So we keep stirring the pot once in a while.....to keep our SUVs going!\n\n2.  Finance and Academics : Jews control 40% of the FInancial and Educational Sector in the US. The economy would collapse without their support. FLight of capital and intelligence (brain drain) is a very serious and detrimental phenomenon in the modern world.\n\n3. Jews have nowhere else to go but the handful of Palestinians can be absorbed by the arab world. Should Israel caese to exist, the failure of US govt to support will create a civil war within US!\n\n4. There are more, many more reasons...but these are the primary IMO.
452612
Yes. But not in the same capacity as the past. Without unilateral trust from all involved (witch is only going to be gained by equal treatment to all parties involved) even if it is not perceived to be earned, it will always be one step forward, and two steps back. Even Israel doesn't really trust us. It's just more beneficial to go along with our monetary gestures; after all what have we ever asked from them in return? Use of their airstrips to launch attacks from (which we in turn pay for the privilege). If we are to be negotiators of peace, we need to be perceived by all communities as even handed and fair minded brokers. Fair minded brokers don't negotiate with one hand behind their back.
297123
Their hatred of Israel is greater then that of the United States.  I suppose they'd also state this because every one knows they already have missile systems that can reach Israel, but they don't have them that can reach the United States yet.  So its a double win for them; they attack our ally and the one they hate the most.
498674
Dear, American politics is so easy, and goes like this:\n\nIsraeli (Jews') interests must be fulfilled, if they are not, then America must involve in a war with someone.
565013
I think it is very foolish to blindly support Israel. The Arab/Muslim world's voice is ignored, and while this is being done, we will NEVER have world peace. (Here it comes: I am going to be branded a nazi anti-semite.... again, which I am NOT) I am saying: Let's LISTEN to what they have to say. I am not proposing the destruction of Israel, but sadly, Israel is regarded as a bastion of western democracy by some in the west, but as a cancer by most in the Arab/Muslim world, and the ONLY solution is to sit down and LISTEN to EVERYBODY'S view.\nI have had people writing to me pointing out that Egypt is a shining example of the acceptance of Israel in the Middle East;\nwhat a misconception, while they are receiving billions of dollars from the US, they are only paying lipservice to this socalled acceptance. The people in the Middle East allege that the state of Israel was IMPOSED on them, (which is partly true) and this will remain a festering sore in the search for peace in the region. Certain interest groups in the Western world have equated the call for a serious and analytical look a the situation as being 'anti-semitic' (the 'last taboo', as mentioned in the question.) While this 'equation' is heeded by western leaders, terrorism will flourish. Israel is acting like a little boy whose older brother is the strongest in the the school, and by extension, the little brat is going around doing whatever he likes, knowing that his BIG brother will protect him.\nWe should ask ourselves: For how long are we going to allow this situation to continue? Until we are FORCED to sit down and LISTEN, or until we have a war between religions? Is it too much to ask to LISTEN?
105454
The fact that it has threated the US and it has vowed to whipe Israel off the map, if it had the power it would do just that.  We dont need some one on a power trip who is threatening people left and right to have power to start a nuclear war. The idea that the president has such hatred for Israel is scary enough.  Having the power to do something about it is worse.
473655
The U.S would win, who do you think trained all of those Israeli pilots? (hint: the U.S did) Who gave them their fancy planes? The U.S did, which means the U.S knows  the strengths and weaknesses of Israeli aircraft. If I was a U.S commander, I'd stage my carriers pretty far off the Israeli coast, use conventional cruise missiles to damage Israeli aircraft and airfields, as well as command and control centers, mop up the rest with the fighter compliments of my carriers, along with additional aircraft from my bases in places like Saudi Arabia and Iraq(the Saudis wont mind the U.S launching from there, I'm sure). The U.S would certainly lose aircraft and pilots, but they have more to lose. Once the IAF is destroyed you blockade Israeli ports at your leisure and send in the troops. The Israeli army is no joke, but again they train off the U.S model, and the U.S has more stuff than they do, I would bet that the U.S would win a war with Israel in under 18 months, and some of that time would include the buildup you would need to accomplish that task.
442441
From the Israeli standpoint it is a bad deal.  Hezbollah is just using the time to regroup.  They are doing a good job at the hearts and minds campaign.  Lebanon gets crap.  Hezbollah is a para-military group made up of many foreigners that is bolder and more mobile and professional than the Lebanese army.  What Lebanon get is weaker.  This is what you call being at loggerheads.  Which is basically what a war looks like.  Guess what?  I didn't say a word about the Palestinians did I.  What do they get, I don't know.  Nothing probably in the above scenario.
259611
Get it through your heads.  Israel has controlled American policy since 1948.  It's the "New World Order".
37805
I'm a bit uncomfortable about it.  I just don't think we have any real allies in the Mideast outside of Israel we could trust with this.  \n\nFormer president Jimmy Carter, a man for whom I have a great deal of respect, is siding with President Bush on this issue, so perhaps my fears are unfounded.  I find it interesting that there is so much Republican resistance for a president that they have followed so faithfully.
574540
Just for the record: in this country, jews have notoriously helped and supported all minority groups in this country... I am jewish and know my American-Jewish history very well.\n\nYou do realize that everything you said is no better than any of those you accuse to be preaching hate and separatism?
580208
The US supporst Israel for the sole and simple reason that it is a highly strategic position in the middle east and one that needs our help.  Its a case of "you sratch my back and I scratch yours" right?  Yes we did in fact embargo S. Africa, however, S. Africa is a highly divided nation whose sides are more than willing to accept help from anyone (and believe me, America has its hand there too).  S. Africa offers no political or military advantage.  What America does there is purely arbitrary.  They have some diamonds and a little oil, but so does Russia.  So, that's why.  Political science is kinda my thing
542884
Because our media is biased to favor government policies and the current administration so this comment was not reported in the US at the time it happened. \n I only heard it myself about two years ago and have to say I am not surprised. The nation of Israel was only created so that we would something in the middle east to stir up animosity amongst the arabs.
545950
Please do not take what this govt. does to be the will of the people.  Most of what happens inside and outside of this country is done by secret deals among the powerful.  Most of us detest what the Israelis are doing to their neighbors, and what their neighbors are doing to them, but our national policy is part of a deal most of us are ignorant of .  If you ask Americans, they are upset over a problem here of illegal immigration.  These are people who are not legal citizens who take up residence here to work, get paid, and then usually go back home.  The Jews moved in, forced everyone else out,confiscated the land, and established an army second to none, funded largely by the United States Government, and proceeded to enforce their will on the area.  If that happened here, the uproar would be every bit what exists where you are.  But, due to some clever propaganda on the public, we cannot see this clearly, and don't empathize with the Arabs at all, mostly blindly supporting our government's policy.  Israel was a bad idea that will haunt us all for a long time, maybe even being the cause of international war.  We here would love it to be otherwise, that everyone there would just get along.  That does not appear to be a likely  possibility.  And you are right, the longer it goes on, the more people in the Middle East will blame us.
111513
American people used to live in a closed shell called usa,they have a very big country that most of them though its the hall world,they didn't care about whats hapening in the outside world and there governmant used to give them the sorts of info and idea they want them to know through AMERICAN media only,cause most of the TV and cable news channels was only americans,\nnow after the internet and 9/11,americans started to realise that there is other people in the world,and some of them r very upset with america,and there is a lot of problems and conflicts going in the world and there government is a major player in it,and usualy playing an unfair role.(like their role in suporting the ruthless ocupation of the israelis to the palestinian land for more than 60 years),american media showed the palestinians always as terorist,and israelis as victims,which is a big twist of the truth,how come an army with the best us wepones will be the victim of disarmed people or people armed with STONES!!!???they always convinced americans that israel should be suported to defend itself against the palestinians ???hahaha,\n\ni dont think most of the americans heared about (SABRA & SHATELA massacres,DER YASEEN massacres,or GENIN massacres,all these massacres was commited by the israeli ARMY against civilians and unarmed  people,please take a look)!!!??? \nthey only hear about palestinians bombing them self in israelis!!!thats the only news americans used to get from there FREE media\n\nNow good americans who refuse the actions of there government started to take actions and rise their voices against the unfairness of there government .\nI hope its a good start,and maybe good people will govern this nic country one day and use there power to the good and peace of the world.
90329
Israel and the USA are buddies because they back each other up. The USA has some support from moderate Islamic countries in the Middle East. \nI think its a damn shame that Israel and the US can do what ever it likes to defend itself. There are international laws and the military "rules of engagment" that Israel and the US like to ignore a lot (like the terrorist). \n\nIf Israel and the US kill innocent people to kill or capture terrorist then these countries are NO BETTER than the terrorist who attack and kill innocents to attack US and Israel interests in the Middle East. \n\nI do not support the horrible methods that terrorist use but I see NO difference between what the US, Israel and terrorist. \n\nExample:\n\nIf a terrorist blows himself up and half a city block to take out a US Embassy or an Israel market place and he kills and wounds several civilians then he is evil.\n\nIf a US or Israel destroyed a car with a missle (whatever) that a terrorist was driving and this action results in the death and injury or innocent cilivians nearby then it is also an evil act. There is no difference what-so-ever between thier tactics of attack/defense.\n\nWe and Israel need to obey the rule of international law even when fighting terrorists otherwise we are like the terrorists we fear and hate.
115556
Israel provides the United States ZERO benefits, they've been convicted of spying on us ((the Pollard case was described by Caspar Weinberger as the MOST SEVERE IMAGINABLE THREAT to American national security)), and they deliberately attacked the USS Liberty, KILLING 44 & INJURING MORE THAN 200 >>>\n\nIsrael also sold US-Technology to the Chinese\nIsraeli spies tracked most of the September 11th hijackers, but did not share any of their findings with USintelligence.