Originally Posted by Shotsie

I don't think that many Americans realize that our unquestioning and undying support for Israel is one of the major reasons why we're a target for Islamic terrorists, The nature of our relationship with Israel is undeniably a key motivating factor for our Islamist enemies. It looks very hypocritical and contradictory on our part when we publicly espouse democracy while privately supporting Arab tyranny-the Saudis, the Kuwaitis, and other regimes in the region. The other area is Israel and Palestine. We don't need to abandon the Israelis but we need to reestablish the relationship so it looks like we're the great power and they're our ally, and not the other way around. Prime Minister Sharon should be bluntly told that if he wants U.S. support and protection to remain at current levels, now is the moment – and perhaps the final moment – to terminate the endless peace process and form two states. We need to create a situation where moderate Muslims can express support for the United States without being laughed at.

Ultimately, the question of whether or not we should throw our full support behind Israel should be left up to the American people and not government bureaucrats. Unfortunately, anybody who tries to bring this topic up for debate is labeled an anti-semite. Israel and its American supporters have made discussing the issue of Israel difficult and politically dangerous in the United States with the word "anti-semite", a term which is so often hurled at Americans by Americans to preempt debate on the U.S.-Israeli relationship. What do we get out of our support for Israel is the question we should be asking ourselves.