12/04/01
Israel: Asset or liability?
de. moc. ra. cy 1. government by the people; a form of government in which the supreme power is invested in the people and exercised directly by them or by their elected agents under a free electoral system.
Let us take the definition one step further, by asking what is the number one priority of a democracy? With the thought in mind that the definition above implies the following within the democracy of the United States:
1. To protect the safety of its citizens.
2. To do what is best for the majority of its citizens.
3. To protect all interests of the citizens that lead to good quality of life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.
4. To protect the right to practice one’s religion, with no preference given to any one particular religion.
Translated into the current world affairs case: The policy of the United States has to take into consideration the negative externalities of supporting a religious state (Israel), in regard to all its citizens, of all religions. One religion cannot be favored over another. The Israeli’s have one religion, and the US policy that has been in place over the last fifty years regarding Israel has affected and will continue to affect the quality of life for all Americans.
The argument that we unconditionally support Israel because it is “the lone stable democracy in the middle east” is foolhardy. Another read is that New York City has more Jews than Israel, and that a huge portion of the USA’s power people are Jews. In politics, media, and money (banks, brokerage), Jews in the USA exert so much power that USA policy over the years has taken to Israel’s cause. The elite Jewish interest in the USA has put their religion over the proper context of support of Israel.
If we in the USA want to admit one real reason that we support the “lone stable democracy in the middle east” is for strategic reasons, fine. Admit that point. However, there are at least two more reasons, but apparently they are taboo. The second reason is exactly what I stated above. Jews in the USA are so powerful that we maintain our policy at any cost.
The third important reason is that the atrocities that occurred in the 1940’s had to be reconciled, special rights had to be given. The good people of the world have felt this consciously and subconsciously since WWII. In fact, the world felt so bad at the atrocities committed, that the newly created United Nations gave the Jews the land called Israel. The problem is that there were existing residents in the area (Palestinian Muslims). These people received the short end of the stick with the creation of Israel. In fact they were the majority of the people in the region.
I tell you what, let’s take the monuments in Washington DC, and the land around them, and give that to a religious group (some of which already lived there, but not a majority). Even though the Lincoln Memorial, and all the others are essentially sacred to all Americans, this religious country is formed. They develop a strong military and defend their territory, even grabbing more over the years. I tell you what, I wouldn’t let that happen. I would fight forever to get these sacred places back. Forever. It is wrong. Is it any different with Israel? The Muslims feel wronged. They will forever feel wronged without some compromise.
The world created a hotspot of war and terror, because it favored a minority interest in a sacred religious place. If Jews feel so compelled that their religion is that important, don’t you think the Palestinians feel as strongly about their religious rights? This brings me to the next topic. What to do with this situation?
Arafat and Palestinian Interest
This is not to say that our Israeli policy is completely wrong. The USA supports democracy that we in the USA deem good democracy. Israel has an honest and “good” democracy that deserves to be our ally, and our support. However, we have to balance the rights of the Palestinian people that have lived in the same place for centuries. The Palestinian interest demands that the boundaries of Israel be put on the table.
Our policy should not be to follow the Israeli lead. As an example, Sharon, the prime minister of Israel says that there has to be seven days of no violence before Israel comes to the table. That is a miscalculation. Israel has a problem, and the world has a problem. It must be solved as best it can be as soon as possible. The Palestinians don’t have a military, or a sound leader. Israel wants them to come to the bargaining table after no violence for seven days. With what? They have nothing to bargain with but illegal terror activity. These illegal acts are despicable, and inexcusable, but remember who we are dealing with. Israel has a poisonous snake backed into a corner. This terror is somewhat controlled by the Palestinian authority, but not completely I suspect. The world needs to stand up for the good Palestinian people (not the terrorist Palestinian authority) and help the Palestinians with their case. Get the parties to the table, kicking and screaming if need be. Don’t let Israel come to the table not prepared to give some ground.
Arafat is not a leader. He is a terrorist. By definition of our war on terror, he needs to be brought to justice. Either killed or tried. The world has a no tolerance policy. Root them all out. Israel is justified by blowing up his helicopters and compound. It will receive more violence in return. Can we expect anything else? Israel will retaliate again and again, as it has done for fifty years. That is the status quo, but it is not the solution. There may not be a final solution, but let’s give it a try.
A solution lies in several things:
1. Find a new and reputable leader of Palestinians.
2. Israel has to be prepared to accept territory losses.
3. A Palestinian state with defined boundaries has to be established.
4. This new state has to be recognized by the world, and of course, Israel.
5. Israel will be able to retaliate against terror groups that inflict violence on Israel.
6. The new state cannot be told that it cannot have a military, it is condescending.
The problem is, neither side will like the solution. War and terror are unstoppable. Perhaps the Palestinians and Muslims in general are so pissed that there will never be peace with Israel. I already assume that Israel would not let the Palestinian state have a military, as they have stated. That doesn’t sound fair. Religious wars don’t die. Ever. So, we will live with this crap for centuries more.
Readers may think that I dislike Jews. That is wrong. I feel a deep need to provide the best, safest world for my descendants. A mess and continued religious war in the middle east will never be helpful to this goal. The sooner Americans recognize Israel is a liability, not an asset, the better. We need to move on, by sorting it out as fairly as we can over the next decade.
I have a thought. Israel never gives up. We are continually involved in the mess. Parity ultimately comes in the form of nuclear capability by Muslims. Taking the nuclear capability to a conclusion of a middle east nuclear war, it is no good for mankind. We will see Israel being stripped of its nuclear capability put on the table in the next several decades. It will be a must. They may not agree, and it may not be possible. At the same time, the world will prevent Muslim countries from obtaining nukes as well. The whole situation stinks.
I don’t want your religious war. Wise up Americans. More conflict is coming. We are in a no win situation. If worse comes to worse, the USA will have to go back to imperialism in regards to the control of our oil interests until other energy sources prove viable. |
