Standing Behind Israel

Do you show restraint when a mosquito bites your arm? No. You kill it so that it doesn't return for more blood. So, should a small, ever-threatened country like Israel show restraint when it is constantly pestered by Islamic extremists? I think not. This is Israel's chance to finally be rid of these Islamo-fascists who want nothing more than to destroy the last remaining Jewish state on the planet. Yet many in the world seem to think Israel should "play nice" and limit its capacity for defense. How dare they create an example by defending themselves against Islamic bullies!

America, and specifically President Bush and his administration, are doing the right thing. While the United Nations (in all of it's power and wisdom) is busy writing resolutions calling for an immediate ceasefire, and other nations are condemning Israel for their "lack of restraint," we stand by their side. We're not about to tell them how to run their country, or how to defend themselves-- if anything, we are hoping that Israel will help us out by defeating one of the many factions involved in the War on Terror. But our country isn't united in this stance of "Let Israel defend herself." Like most issues, it has become quite partisan-- with the majority of Republicans standing behind Israel, and the majority of Democrats saying that America should remain neutral. Democrats would like us to just toss aside the decades of support we've given the country of Israel and say "You know what... we don't want to pick a side this time." We can't be fare-weather Israeli-supporters. It's all or nothing.

Dick Morris describes the current situation a little harsher in an article published two weeks ago: "The global condemnation of Israel is simply illustrative of the low esteem attached to Jewish blood in this world where anti-Semitism comes disguised as morality and a commitment to peace."

In his article, Morris touches on an idea that had coincidentally crossed my mind: why is it that Jewish Americans continue to vote Democrat. They are a voting block that has consistently voted for liberals in the past, while the folks that they vote for consistently refuse to stand up for Israel. The specific example Morris cites is the 1996 fight between Israel and Hezbollah: "Clinton’s willingness to use American power to force a cease-fire on Israel before it had fully eradicated Hezbollah stands in stark and sharp contrast to George Bush’s insistence on letting Israel proceed with its attacks until the terrorist group is neutralized. In a nutshell, this illustrates the difference between the Democratic and Republican approaches to Israeli security." (emphasis added)

Morris writes that here in America, it is the "Christian-right" that stands up for the country of Israel, not the Jewish voters. While the majority of Jews may hold liberal social and economical values, one would think that they would put those aside and consider their homeland when going to the polls. Yes, Israel is important to all three religions (of the book) involved in this constant struggle, but it arguably means the most to the Jewish people.

President Bush has always been very strong in his realization of the War on Terror and all of its facets (despite what his critics may think). His decision to stand behind Israel, and (hopefully) not waiver will be the best thing for the overall War on Terror, assuming Israel can seize the moment and eliminate Hezbollah.