I don’t think we should continue the massive amounts of military aid to Israel, as they are also guilty of atrocities that keep this hotbed of violence escalating and it is clear that Israel has a powerful lobby within Washington circles.
I keep waffling on this issue though.
I often wonder how many pols within our government really view Israel as that “shining example of democracy in the ME” as opposed to “being a military buffer against those towelheads”.
I support Israel’s right to exist and defend herself, and Arab nations have certainly been really nasty to Israel.
But Israel isn’t completely innocent in this either, but as far as I can tell, by and large, they brutally respond when provoked, as any nation in their circumstance would do. Their escalation seems to be of the “fuck me? No, FUCK YOU” sort, the logic being (again, a supposition on my part) that if they punish their attackers more heavily than the actual attack that initiated the response, then they will stop attacking, which breeds the cycle of violence all over again.
But it won’t stop, ever. As long as “Da Jooz” are portrayed as “Arab Baby Blood Drinkers” by Arab peoples and governments, then Israel will continue to suffer attacks, calls for elimination, attempts to debunk the Holocaust, etc, et al.
So what should Israel do?
I agree that they need to stop settling Arab areas as that is a major cause of discontent. They should also maybe proffer the olive branch to hostile factions/neighbors.
The Palestinains NEED a place to live. They NEED access to areas within Israel that are religiously important to them.
BUT, that is a HUGE security issue for Israel, as suicide bombers disguised as religious pilgrims is all too often a grim consequence.
I really have about zero hope that this violent stalemate will ever end. I wish it weren’t so.