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[–] Joe_McCarthy ago 

There are several million Jews in Israel. It is reasonable to expect we'd have more Jewish Democrats moving here and voting in our elections if Israel didn't exist or was markedly less safe - and our military aid helps ensure they remain viable in a sea of enemies. Aiding Egypt helps keep them compliant too and gives them an incentive to keep the peace treaty with Israel.

There is an argument to be made that we should not have recognized Israel in the 1940s as it would antagonize the Arabs. But that was almost seventy years ago. The reality is now it serves our interests to support Israel.

US foreign aid is made with the argument that it serves our national interests. If it serves the national interest it helps Americans.

And whatever Israel did with the Liberty or that thing in the 50s they're a lot friendlier to us today than Islamic fundamentalists like Hamas. At the UN Israel votes with us about as much as Britain.

And yeah, Nixon saved Israel in '73. It made sense within the larger framework of the Cold War. Syria and Egypt were Soviet client states. Israel was friendlier to us. We kept them from getting overrun - which again would have meant Jewish refugees HERE.

But the agreement at Camp David brokered peace between Egypt and Israel with US aid to both to help maintain it. It was basically a bribe to Egypt not to fight Israel again and without Egypt another Arab war coalition against Israel was much less viable.

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[–] ATX_1138 [S] ago 

And whatever Israel did with the Liberty or that thing in the 50s they're a lot friendlier to us today than Islamic fundamentalists like Hamas.

Did we get involved between Hutus and Tutsies? No. Somehow it is possible to just not involved ourselves. But if we sided with one wouldn't it make the other not like us? Claiming Muslims don't like us is sophomoric - why would they like us if we are supporting their enemy? And you keep mentioning Hamas - I wonder why? Hamas is Israel's problem - not ours. And Hamas would not have existed if not for that creation of Israel on Palestinian land in the first place. Oh, and Israel supported Hamas...

At the UN Israel votes with us about as much as Britain.

Israel doesn't vote with us. The US votes with Israel. Name me one thing that the US has supported at the UN that is bad for Israel.

Glad you mentioned Camp David Accords - look at how much money Israel costs us. Not only are we sending aid to Israel but Egypt, too. 1st and 2nd highest recipients of free money from us. But it isn't for Egypt, it is for Israel.

Would the US support a White homeland?

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[–] Joe_McCarthy ago 

I do agree with you that supporting Israel antagonizes the Arabs and it probably even fuels groups like Hamas. But all things considered I don't think we'd be better off by cutting Israel off.

Our real reason for being over there has been oil. Part of it was cultivating friendly states to try and keep the Soviets out. And even with supporting Israel we got what we wanted from the oil states over there.

The US did support a white homeland for some decades - South Africa, and with much of the same methodology it has used to protect Israel: UN vetoes.