In message , robert
arndt writes
"Paul J. Adam" wrote in message
...
...for as long as the US keeps signing the cheques.

What check did they sign in 1948?

I was more thinking of the last thirty years.

And FYI, aid is not a one way
street. Israel has gathered both intelligence and foreign weapon
systems that has been invaluable to the US for decades- far beyond any
monetary value.

I'm sure the crewmen of the LIBERTY would gladly agree about the Israeli
contribution to US intelligence.

There is MORE than one reason we support the Jewish
State and it isn't just because of the Jews here in America... so
don't use that old line about check-writing.

Why not? Look at the 1973 war, and events subsequent: Israel has learned
a deep dependency on the US. Losing lots of aircraft? Call the US for an
emergency airlift. Losing a war? Get the US to help. Economic trouble?
Persuade the US to increase aid.

Israel used to be a lot more self-sufficient, but times changed.

Besides, Israel doesn't ask our permission to protect its national
security or its citizens.

Yes, I noticed.

The fact that Israel sat out ODS is
because none of the Scuds had CB warheads.

Israel sat out ODS because the US applied a mixture of threats and
bribery: Israeli retaliation would have destroyed the coalition the US
and its allies depended on for action against Hussein.

If just one did then Israel
would have struck back regardless of US assurances.

And that would have got the US thrown out of its Arab bases, with no
Israeli replacements, leaving Hussein in possession of Kuwait (and most
of his WMD, which were much more real then) Not exactly a long-term
winning strategy, which is why Israel didn't follow it.

OIF didn't require
an Israeli effort to remain neutral. Israel warned both Syria and Iran
well in advance not to attempt any secondary war against the Jewish
State or face the consequences. Notice how they did nothing, as
usual... except denounce Israel.

And continue to support assorted terrorist organisations.

Right now, Israel's economy is
suffering and the international pressure to make peace with the
terrorist Palestinians is unbearable. But Israel retains its tough
stance and the US is firmly on Israel's side despite frequent
administration "concerns" over the conflict.

Time will tell how this one plays out.

I support Israel and the IDF and don't mind at all giving aid to the
Israelis. The day we stop aiding Israel will be detrimental to the US.
Judgement on the US is already happening since 9/11. Cutting Israel
off would be far worse. It would be seen in Arab eyes as weakness on
our part and a signal that terrorism does pay in the long run.
President Bush won't allow that to happen and neither would any
Republican administration.

I think you may find yourself disappointed. Nobody's likely to cast
Israel to the wolves, but there's significantly less "Israel, right or
wrong" sentiment to be had.



Rob
Supporter IFCJ, FIDF, RNC

--
When you have to kill a man, it costs nothing to be polite.
W S Churchill

Paul J. Adam