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January 14, 2008

The Israeli problem

An OP-ED piece in yesterday's Oregonian by JOHH J. MEARSHEIMER cuts to the heart of the matter.

Once again, as the presidential campaign season heats up, the leading candidates are going to enormous lengths to demonstrate their devotion to the state of Israel and their steadfast commitment to its "special relationship" with the United States.

Each of the main contenders emphatically favors giving Israel extraordinary material and diplomatic support -- continuing the more than $3 billion in foreign aid each year to a country whose per capita income is now 29th in the world. They also believe that this aid should be given unconditionally. None of them criticizes Israel's conduct, even when its actions threaten U.S. interests, are at odds with American values or even when they are harmful to Israel itself. In short, the candidates believe that the U.S. should support Israel no matter what it does.

As if to confirm Mearsheimer's opinion, we read today that Israel won't accept nuke weapons in Iran. Israel of course has her own nukes. Successive American administrations have used their veto power on the UN Security Council to shield Israel from the same international scrutiny that they hypocritically hold Iran to.

I may be Jewish but that doesn't make my opinion on this any more or less valid than any other citizen's. I'm solidly with Mearsheimer on this one.

What do you think?

Posted by Kevin at January 14, 2008 08:26 AM