Why is America so much more pro-Israeli than Europe? The most obvious answer lies in the power of two very visible political forces: the Israeli lobby (AIPAC) and the religious right. AIPAC, which has an annual budget of almost $50m, a staff of 200, 100,000 grassroots members and a decades-long history of wielding influence, is arguably the most powerful lobby in Washington, mightier even than the National Rifle Association.Doesn't it make you glad to know that money any religious nuttiness counts for more than concerns about the sanity of a man working on nuclear weapons? Of course part of me doesn't want to believe it, but given the large number of religious nuts in the country, I have to conceed that the Economist is probably right.
Monday, August 07, 2006
Reasons for supporting Israel
The Economist talks about why support for Israel is so much higher in the U.S. than Europe. Now, my personal take on this whole thing is that why Israel may not be perfect, it's up against Iran, whose president is certifiably insane. However, the Economist thinks the reason are rather different than that:
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I ask you, suppose a group of mexicans started abducting our border patrol agents and threatening to cut off their heads. Further, suppose the Mexican government refused to help us remedy the situation. Then suppose these same people in mexico started lobbing missiles at San Diego. You really don’t think 90% of americans, both conservatives and liberals, together, would support regime change in mexico? (Or MIRVing mexico city for that matter). Israel is doing the reasonable thing. And I think they’re showing amazing restraint.
Don't forget what Bill Clinton and Ehud Barak offered the muslims. Barak was willing to give in to essential all of Arafat's demands. The PLO is a group of good muslims. They just kill jews. And Europe... Well, Europe has a glorious history of continuing anti-jewish antisemitism, and you think the US is nutty.
Hallq, I would also say that other important factors include sizeable Jewish populations in places like New York City and other cities in America. I live near and work in New York City, and a trip to Israel is considered almost obligatory for whomever the mayor happens to be.
Many American Jews have family members which help to keep the ties strong and personal.
Also, when we look at Israelis, they seem so much like us that it is easier for us to identify with them then the Palestinians.
I am sure there is more to it than that, but that is what I thought up off the top of my head.
The family tie point is probably legitamate. Dunno about "they look like us"--it's an addition to the worrisome list if it's true, though
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