After cold-bloodedly killing over 100 Palestinians, Israel finally pulled out of Gaza today. Israel’s actions are of course nothing short of terrorism. A suicide bomber can walk into the middle of a crowd and explode himself, or a high tech bomber can fly overhead and drop devastation to entire street blocks, no matter. The reckless disregard displayed for so many innocent lives is inherently the same. How a country can get away with inflicting acts of terrorism on an entire people for over four decades remains mind boggling, only if there’s an assumption of morality and fairness guiding America’s foreign policy. But even if we are to accept that the world superpower has been seeking to secure its interests in the region and aiming for maximum profit at the expense of human rights and international law, that no longer helps to explain our unswerving support. Not unless America has a death wish. The relationship between our countries no longer has its benefits, if it ever did. If Israel stood as a buffer against pan-Arabism and Islamic movements, its intended role has lost its utility and even backfired, serving to galvanize the Muslim world around extremist ideology that speaks to their rage and frustrations. Time and time again, polls and studies reveal that across the Middle East the primary issue concerning people remains the Israeli occupation and American indifference. By supporting their dictators and oppressors, we only give the people of that region the choice of accepting their lot or turning to radicalism as protest.
Interesting to note that amidst this international crisis, the two democratic candidates have said nothing about the situation. I understand that it’s a dumb political move to upset the Jewish voting bloc, but come on, not even an acknowledgment of the crisis? Perhaps a brief comment on one of the most paramount issues an incoming President will be dealing with? That’s very disturbing. Is the Muslim voting bloc that insignificant in their eyes? Don’t answer that. But really, what are we doing wrong as a bloc? Are we supporting the wrong party? Not investing enough money in candidates? Not lobbying adequately? Maybe I expect too much from a group that has only recently found its voice and is relatively young in the game.
thefossil said
The only way you are going to get the western powers to listen to the western muslim bloc is if you can convince them that we are the only ones who the crazy terrorist arabs will listen to, and the only ones who can contain them. Convince them of this, and we re the new Israel. It has nothing to do with votes.
ojcomputer said
The only thing I can come up with is that Israel has managed to convince the US that they have a stranglehold on stability in their state. Granted they have an illegal occupation and are committing untold human rights violations and war crimes, but does not undermine its stability. Their government is doing pretty well.
The middle east countries however…not so good. Egypt is under threat of revolution, Iran is under threat of revolution, Saudi Arabia is having some issues with the monarchy (how old is the king now? who’s next in line there?) creating a potential power vacuum, Iraq…well that was a crazy place with or without Saddam. I’m not limiting myself to the present. The US has been supporting Israel since its inception. Think of the history. 1) Holocaust guilt. 2) Cold War (stupid arabs were supporting The Soviet Union) 3) Instability. (Iranian Revolution, Pan Arabism revolution, as you’ve stated) The US had all these things to contend with, and chose a path that directed them to the present situation.
Concern in the Middle East over the Palestinians? that’s driven by countries to scapegoat their own problems on the plight of Palestinians. Somehow the failures of their own state are due to the treatment of Palestinians. I guess if we remove that scapegoat, those countries won’t have a place to point their fingers and there’s going to be some trouble.
On the other hand Egypt does receive lots of economic aid from the US in support of an obvious sham of a leadership, which I guess considered support for a dictatorship, but then again, its a stable dictatorship that suppresses the will of the people thereby increasing hatred.
I forgot what I was talking about.
I forgot what I was talking about.