We have been an unquestioning and dedicated supporter of Israel for many, many years, and perhaps rightly so. The Jews were among the most persecuted people in the world and certainly deserved a peaceful existence and a homeland of their own. For many years we have pretty much unconditionally supported them politically, economically and militarily. We have been close allies but our national interests have not always been aligned. Too many times we have instinctively backed Israel when their actions have been decidedly contrary to our own national interest and our own cherished values. We have been their great enabler and are therefore seen complicit in all their deeds, whether we agreed with them or not.
The root cause of our Middle East quagmire is the consequence of UN Resolution 181 in 1947 which imposed in Palestine a Jewish homeland at the expense of the people who had been living there for over 2000 years. Regrettably, solving one problem often creates other problems, and the Middle East problem is a doozy that has defied resolution. However serious it may be, the solution is actually rather straight forward. But the ultra right wing party of Mr. Netanyahu, beholden to small Ultra Orthodox parties, is clearly dead set on expanding the Jewish state throughout the land, and determined to evict all Palestinians from the West Bank and Gaza, by any means necessary.
Many are surprised and disappointed that the Israeli voting public gave Mr. Netanyahu a pass on so many critical missteps: Failure to detect and to deal with the October 7th Hamas attack in a timely manner, the over-the-top, highly destructive and bloody invasion of Gaza that has left Hamas still standing and relevant, the continuing squeeze on and settler violence against West Bank Palestinians, his inability or refusal to impose on the Jewish Ultra Orthodox faction the military service required of all other Jewish citizens, presiding over Israel’s severely damaged international reputation and Netanyahu’s several pending corruption charges. Quite a laundry list.
The Middle East is a vital, mineral rich and strategic region where we have interests beyond just Israel. Together we have inflamed the entire region who now question just what our real interests are, where our loyalties lie and whether they can continue to rely on our promised protection. The disastrous 2003 war in Iraq and the inconclusive 2026 war in Iran were not wars vital to our own national interests. There are less confrontational, diplomatic ways to deal with the Nuclear matter.
Israel is a resourceful, economic and military power. It can stand on its own feet, It’s time the U.S. focuses on its own global interest.
– – – – Just the view of a common man
