Free Republic post about John Kerry's stand on Israel has mobilized me.

[Kyuss rocks]

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1065640/posts

Because of recent posts about Kerry's "Israel's Cause is America;s Cause" here on DU I was considering third party. But Free Republic convinced me to go with Kerry with that entire thread there. Thanks FR, for campaigning for Kerry for no free. You're so kind.

[reprehensor]

1. Interesting.

One of the best books ever written on the Israeli/Palestinian question is 'the Zionist Connection II' by Alfred M. Lilienthal.

If you search for this rare book at ABEbooks, GSG books has several copies for sale.

Plenty of blame to go around for everyone.

[Jim Sagle]

2. That book pops all the time on skinhead sites.

[The Artist]

3. What does the book say?

Jim Sagle says it's skinhead stuff. Is that true?

[rockymountaindem]

4. I'll answer their question

Jews who support Israel continue to vote Democratic because both parties basically support Israel, but one party is really good at screwing America too. The difference between the Reps. and Dems. on this issue is that the Reps. support Israel in the context of fighting a war, and the Dems. support Israel in the context of making peace. The Reps. think that shipping arms to Israel and giving them cash is the best way to support Israel. Many Dems. also support this idea, but in addition the Democratic party (for the most part) realize that the best way to help Israel is to help it make peace with its neighbors. If anything, the current administration has put Israel in more danger thanks to the Iraq war and their "disengagement" policy during the building violence. Bush* said "when they're ready to talk, we'll facilitate negotiations". When are Arafat and Sharon ever going to talk? I could see making that statement if there were different leadership on either or both sides, but Bush* was lying to himself.

That being said, I know that the US will *never* abandon Israel, so it doesn't really matter which party us Jews vote for on that issue. However, we know that the Republicans will screw America to boot, and that matters to American Jews more than Israel.

[estherc]

6. Good analysis rockymountain dem but

it does matter who Jews vote for if we care about Israel. If we care about Israel we should vote for the Democrats who are interested in promoting peace in the middle east. The republican agenda is to support the Likud party and foment discord. Peace in the middle east is not in the best interests of the Republicans but it certainly is in the best interests of Israel.

I find it intersting that people are always accusing Israel of running America when the problem is with w in power the inverse is true. Sharon is clinging to power tenuously and sucking up to w is his only hope. The administration didn't go to war in Iraq at Israel's request. Sharon is supporting w's war to kiss his ass. Read Karen Kwiatkowski's "New Pentagon Papers" article in Salon. She points out that Israel knew Iraq was no danger.

[rockymountaindem]

10. I agree with most of what you say.

America is the dominant partner in the relationship, no doubt about that. I also agree that the Republicans aren't interested in promoting peace but would rather see the Israelis "win" their war with the terrorists. Democrats prefer the more peaceful route of negotiations between sane negotiators. Israel both gains and loses either way.

Let's face it; if Israel really wanted to unleash on the Palestinians they could drive them all into Jordan and Egypt in a couple of weeks. This would allow Israel to solidify its hold on the territory it gained in 1967 and would pretty much end the issue of Palestinian terrorism. Kick them out, build a big ol' wall and that would be the end of that. Of course, Israel would be completely isolated from the world community after this. However, since the Republicans are willing to prop up Israel by any means necessary, they would replace all Israel's lost busniess with more microloans and cash giveaways. Furthermore Israel's fragile alliances with Egypt and Jordan would probably end, bringing it into conventional conflict with other nation-states. This is the kind of conflict the Repubs. and their cold-war era military are comfortable with, and Israel would again win hands-down over both countries. The gains and losses for Israel in this situation are clear, and this is the plan the Repubs favor.

Israel also gains and loses under the Democratic two-state solution. It would supposedly gain peace because the terror would theoretically stop once the Israelis get out of the WB and Gaza. Even if Hamas continued its attacks as promised, Israel would be in much better position to defend against them. Basically, conflict would stop. There would be losses for Israel as well, not only in terms of land but also in lost water reserves. Israel would also have increased problems with the so-called "demographic timebomb". It's another trade-off.

There are pros and cons to both scenarios. The cons in both are pretty daunting for Israel. Therefore, the issue of support for Israel doesn't factor into my support for a party or candidate. Both sides want what's best for Israel, but I don't think that either plan is better than the other. Unless someone came out and said "it's time to abolish Israel or undermine it's Jewish character", I don't care.

On edit: welcome to DU estherC!

[alcuno]

5. Welcome to DU, Kyuss rocks.

I feel sorry for the way that the State of Israel is being used as a political tool. The fundamentalist Christians, who so strongly support the Republican Party, have no interest in Israel other than that she stand firm and not cede land to the Palestinians in order to achieve their "Rapture."

[JohnLocke]

8. He's been banned.

[snoochie]

7. Welcome to DU, Kyuss rocks

:hi:

Love your screen name! but I think QOTSA's pretty cool too. :)

[JohnLocke]

9. He has been banned.

[Wonk]

11. Is there an echo in here? nt