Why does the US continue to support Israel?
149115
Consider foremost the common values that bind the US with the Middle East's only democracy, then the strategic value to the US of a strong Israel.\n\nAmerican aid to Israel was minimal until after the Six Day War, and only took off after Israel saved US ally Jordan from a PLO-Syrian invasion in 1970. The 1979 Camp David Accords, which secured peace between Israel and Egypt, mandated increased aid to Israel to compensate in part for Israel's return of the Sinai and the resulting loss of strategic depth, air bases, training grounds and oil fields. Israel's prescient destruction of Iraq's nuclear program in 1981 stopped Saddam Hussein from having nuclear weapons when he invaded Kuwait nine years later - nuclear weapons he could have used against US troops during the the first Gulf War.
479337
Israel is the second greatest nation in the world. Of course the USA is #1.
681343
No, it is not true.  There are several reasons for our support of Israel.  For one, they tend to do what we say, which is not a common response from nations in that region.  They also allow us to have bases in the area.  Finally, many Jewish organizations lobby heavily on behalf of Israel, and that does have an effect on political thought.  But as to our government being largely Jewish, I would say that the Christian right currently have a monopoly on government these days.
706854
Oh, you are so perceptive!  Yes, I think it is THE KEY.  For whatever reason, and rightly or wrongly, the Israelis are seen as the aggressors, and the USA is seen as the supporter of everything Israel does.  We give Israel more foreign aid than we give to anyone else, and the Arabs conclude that we could force Israel to do what we really wanted--therefore, whatever Israel does, the USA must be backing it.The Arab/Muslim world would not focus its resentment on us to the extent it does if there were a genuine peace in Palestine; and if there were peace there would be a chance of prosperity and jobs, and the lives of the Palestinians would not be so desperate that suicide bombing would continue to be a worthwhile alternative.  I think that 9/11 is the direct result of the continuing war in Palestine, and our penalty for our failure to differentiate the USA from everything Israel does.
60789
As you may know Henry Kissinger, US Secretary of State under Presidents Nixon & Ford says "Oil is much too important a commodity to be left in the hands of the Arabs.---" and it is really one of the places that Israel helps US, they are always afraid of Israel and they spend lots of money buying military equipment and support.\nYou must know that Israel has one the most advanced armies in middle east and US provides it the most advanced weapons e.g. F-16 aircraft which Israel even improve it also a huge Nuke warehouse and this army has done many operations for US, In Operation Yonathan (originally known as the Entebbe raid or Operation Thunderbolt), Israeli commandos freed French and Israeli hostages and wiped out most of the air forces of Uganda. They also rescued all but one hostage (shot accidently) and with only one casualty, the leader, Yoni.\nLong time ago Middle East was where three known continents contact each other so everyone who was dreaming about conquering the world had passed middle east e.g. Alexander the Great, Chingiz the Mongol. \nToday there is no such limits so the only reason that middle east is a strategic point in OIL.\nFact is Oil cant be produced in an unstable country because it is flamable itself and need lots of pipeline to transfer so there must be stable countries in unstable atmosphere.\nThats the greatest Help Israel gives US\nWhat reported on Media is something for common people who think Iraq had a main role in 9/11(which is proved false) but US helps for Israel isn't classified e.g. Israel have requested 1.2 billion dollars from US for their August withdrawal from the Gaza Strip, which is "supplemental" to Israel's foreign aid share of 3-4 billion
362088
no, the US cannot do without the Jews.\n\nI like Israel.
111783
Three reasons.  Political, economic and religious.  \nPolitically, the US government tend to support governments that are democratic or have a semblance of democracy.  Amidst the totalitarian governments in the middle east, Israel gives the US an opportunity to "put its foot in the door" so to speak, for the advancement of democracy in that region. Once a democratized middle east emerges, wouldn't it be much easier to deal with friendlier middle eastern countries for oil?  Hence the political purpose also leads to the economic purpose.  Oil is the lifeblood of the entire world. It determines where one's fate, economically, goes more significantly than other factors.\nThe religious purpose is hinged on the fact that the US is predominantly a Christian nation or at least the leaders in its government past and present.  Christians adhere to the Bible and you would be surprised how important it is for Christians to protect God's chosen people.  In short, America has taken it upon itself to play the role of God's right hand.\nThe US does not hate to deal with the Palestinian Government, it hates to deal with Hamas, which is a political faction that is sworn to destroy Israel.  Hamas, recently has been given an opportunity to form a new Palestinian government, due to the favorable outcome of recently held elections.  This troubles the US and are waiting to see how this "new" Palestinian government turns out.
304987
According to Zionist texts they had no choice and decided from the begining to displace (ethnically cleanse) the native population of Palestine to build Israel.  It is still going on today of course, as we sit here, but it is allowed first by British colonial interests which were then overtaken by USA interests in "controlling the region" and requires massive funding from US taxes each year to do so, against the general will of the US population who pays for every bullet's worth.  Israel is a military state and serves as a watchdog for the US.  Although many Israelis themselves oppose the occupation of Palestinian land and struggle day after day to inform the world of the attrocities commited in the name of Israelis and Americans alike.\n\nThe part about Africa was a early proposal for the Jewish Homeland to be located in Uganda it was to be a "Jewish settlement in East Africa".
801448
Because this is what they have done so far and everyone backed them...No one has ever dare to criticize Israel for its actions against its neighbors and against the Palestinians...\nSo why would Israel believe that it can survive otherwise?
610486
Israel would do this before the US. The US might encourage Israel to do it, but wouldn't actually pull the trigger.\n\n--------------\nTo your added comments:\n\nIsrael because they have been directly threatened by Iran. This would make it appear "justified". The US has no reason to attack Iran.\n\nI sort of agree with you on Iraq. The US definitely wants a military presence in that region. However, I think we'd prefer a friendly government in Iraq, with the only criteria for "friendly" being selling us cheap oil. Saddam met this criteria from the 1960's through the 1980's. That why we helped him gain power, and that's why we supported him throughout that period.
121206
i think no and to know about your goverment so go out your country and see what they do. All what they care about is to help Israel and the huge bussnes men that conltrolling the USA
533128
Israel had many ties with South Africa well before the UN sanctions against apartheid were put into effect, but it did continue to trade with South Africa in violation of the embargoes. They do oppose UN embargoes in general however and also eventually reduced their military support of South Africa at the request of the US.
986474
Actually, England gave them the land not America.\n\nI don't know the answer because half of the problems in the Mid East wouldn't be there if America didn't support Israel. Israel doesn't have oil so you would think the US would side with the Arabs..  \n\nIf you listen to all of the Israelis against the Palestinians, they usually have NY accents.\n\nHowever, I am not taking sides with either party because the Arabs treat the Bantu people in Chad and The Sudan badly and come over here with prejudices.
661113
Israel is a terrorist state backed by America and assisting it in its fight against Islam. Unless Muslim states join together and fight against these terrorists this killing will continue.
726651
The truth is Israel was founded on the auspices of the UN, strongly supported by USA and the UK. All subsequent foreign policy has been therefore to shore up that decision.
822143
You are smart, even though its a very simple question. Ever since the end of WW2, the US has been attempting to be the world's sole super power, which it is now. Look at what happened in the Korean wars, the Vietnam war and the never ending Middle Eastern conflicts. Israel is America's indispensible tool to reach its "power" agenda throughout the Middle East. America doesn't want to give its power away to any opposing party. That's why the Middle East has always been a tense region, so no end to hostilities. Isreal was drawn up by the western victors of WW2. The theory of dividing a land into religious sects just doesn't work. Look at what's happening in Palestine now.
309391
Because Isreal is a free State. The American government is working on ways to produce energy so that we no longer have to rely on middle eastern oil.