# Why is Israel providing Logistic and Military Support to Al-Qa'ida? **URL:** \ **Category:** Great Debates\ **Created:** [May 4, 2015, 3:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-israel-providing-logistic-and-military-support-to-al-qaida/719202 "2015-05-04T03:27:28Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 16\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![Ibn\_Warraq](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/e19b73/32.png) [@Ibn\_Warraq](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ibn_Warraq)\ **Post date:** [May 5, 2015, 1:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-israel-providing-logistic-and-military-support-to-al-qaida/719202/41 "2015-05-05T01:45:51Z")
> [@jezzaOZ](#): > > Cite? > > Not that it’s relevant to the topic of people in the Middle-East blaming Israel for taking sides, usually with some justification. Nor in the least relevant to the well documented cooperation of present day Israel with Al-Qa’ida / Nusra which is what this post is about. You’re demanding a “cite” for the fact that the Phalangists were Christians? I’ve seen some pretty stupid requests for a cite, but this definitely takes the cake. ---
**Author:** ![jezzaOZ](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/a9a28c/32.png) [@jezzaOZ](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jezzaOZ)\ **Post date:** [May 5, 2015, 9:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-israel-providing-logistic-and-military-support-to-al-qaida/719202/42 "2015-05-05T09:22:34Z")
> [@Ibn\_Warraq](#): > > You’re demanding a “cite” for the fact that the Phalangists were Christians? I’m demanding a cite that they unduly manipulated Israel as you claim. ---
**Author:** ![jezzaOZ](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/a9a28c/32.png) [@jezzaOZ](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jezzaOZ)\ **Post date:** [May 5, 2015, 9:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-israel-providing-logistic-and-military-support-to-al-qaida/719202/43 "2015-05-05T09:25:45Z")
> [@Monty](#): > > Well, I’m not reading anything behind a pay-wall. And, of course, you’re just breezing by your linking to a blog. Yet antoher nifty question is, given **Terr** ’s demonstration of your assertion vs. your link, have you read (and understood) what you’ve linked? I see you didn’t even try. The WSJ article is open access. As to your later point (re Terr), I’m afraid it’s gobbledegook. How about you explain in simple terms - with links - what you find a problem with. ---
**Author:** ![jezzaOZ](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/a9a28c/32.png) [@jezzaOZ](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jezzaOZ)\ **Post date:** [May 5, 2015, 9:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-israel-providing-logistic-and-military-support-to-al-qaida/719202/44 "2015-05-05T09:32:56Z")
> [@Merneith](#): > > Irrelevant. My actual point is that US policy on the ongoing unpleasantness in Syria is all over the place. Therefore, you can’t declare that Isreal’s current policy is against longstanding US policy. The US doesn’t have a longstanding Syria policy, other than “no ground troops”. The US has a well documented policy against al-Qa’ida and specifically the Jabhat al-Nusra version of al-Qa’ida as I linked in the initial post (I assume you have actually read the links?) The US has spent many lives in combating al-Qa’ida over the years and lost thousands of citizens to them in 2001. For Israel to then provide succor to al-Qa’ida in Syria - which the US is presently fighting - smacks of Israel not giving a shit about US policy. The fact the US administration hasn’t complained publicly is a strong indication that Israel has undue influence in parts of the US administration. ---
**Author:** ![Alessan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/alessan/32/465_2.png) [@Alessan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Alessan)\ **Post date:** [May 5, 2015, 9:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-israel-providing-logistic-and-military-support-to-al-qaida/719202/45 "2015-05-05T09:38:02Z")
Not going to address my points, are you? ---
**Author:** ![Alessan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/alessan/32/465_2.png) [@Alessan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Alessan)\ **Post date:** [May 5, 2015, 9:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-israel-providing-logistic-and-military-support-to-al-qaida/719202/46 "2015-05-05T09:56:29Z")
But really, you already said it: Israel has a well documented policy against Iran and specifically its Hezbollah subsidiary. Israel has spent many lives in combating Hezbollah over the years and lost thousands of citizens to them over the course of several decades. For the U.S. to then provide succor to Hezbollah in Syria - which Israel is presently fighting - smacks of the U.S. not giving a shit about Israeli policy. The fact the Israeli administration hasn’t complained publicly is a strong indication that the U.S. has undue influence in parts of the Israeli administration. [Tongue in cheek implied] ---
**Author:** ![jezzaOZ](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/a9a28c/32.png) [@jezzaOZ](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jezzaOZ)\ **Post date:** [May 5, 2015, 10:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-israel-providing-logistic-and-military-support-to-al-qaida/719202/47 "2015-05-05T10:14:34Z")
> [@Alessan](#): > > For the U.S. to then provide succor to Hezbollah in Syria - which Israel is presently fighting - smacks of the U.S. not giving a shit about Israeli policy. The fact the Israeli administration hasn’t complained publicly is a strong indication that the U.S. has undue influence in parts of the Israeli administration. The US maintains Hezbollah as a proscribed organisation. It sanctions named members of Hezbollah. It is in fact complying fully with Israeli policy on Hezbollah. In contrast Israel is supporting al-Qa’ida in Syria while the US is bombing them under its anti-al-Qa’ida policy (and specifically in memory of the thousands of US citizens killed by them) The reciprocation is entirely one-way. Israel does whatever it damn well wants and the US does whatever Israel damn well wants. ---
**Author:** ![Alessan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/alessan/32/465_2.png) [@Alessan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Alessan)\ **Post date:** [May 5, 2015, 10:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-israel-providing-logistic-and-military-support-to-al-qaida/719202/48 "2015-05-05T10:21:04Z")
And by attacking al-Qaida, isn’t the U.S providing _de facto_ assistance to Hezbollah, the Assad regime and Iran? It is, as any reasonable person can see, a matter of balance. Israel’s primary enemy is still Hezbollah, but due to its desire to stay out of the war and to avoid stepping on America’s toes, Israel has been limiting its fight to ensuring that its border on the Golan Heights is secure and that Hezbollah doesn’t increase its ability to harm Israelis. Beyond that, we’re smart enough to know that a radical Sunni victory in Syria can be potentially just as dangerous to Israel as an Iranian one. If Israel had wanted ISIS and al-Qaida to win the war, ISIS and al-Qaida would have won the war. ---
**Author:** ![Rune](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/e68b1a/32.png) [@Rune](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rune)\ **Post date:** [May 5, 2015, 10:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-israel-providing-logistic-and-military-support-to-al-qaida/719202/49 "2015-05-05T10:21:52Z")
> [@Jonathan\_Chance](#): > > All of which is utterly irrelevant, Rune. Any form of hate speech and such - no matter the justification - will not be tolerated. No hate speech against those you hate. Check. > [@jezzaOZ](#): > > The US has a well documented policy against al-Qa’ida and specifically the Jabhat al-Nusra version of al-Qa’ida as I linked in the initial post (I assume you have actually read the links?) > > The US has spent many lives in combating al-Qa’ida over the years and lost thousands of citizens to them in 2001. The US has been providing Syrian rebels with arms which are documented and verified to have been found in the possession of ISIS or otherwise aided various Islamists groups in Syria. The US is ally with various Golf nations which have more or less officially been heavily involved in financing ISIS and other Islamists in and outside Syria. ---
**Author:** ![Monty](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/monty/32/47_2.png) [@Monty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Monty)\ **Post date:** [May 5, 2015, 10:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-israel-providing-logistic-and-military-support-to-al-qaida/719202/50 "2015-05-05T10:36:32Z")
> [@jezzaOZ](#): > > I see you didn’t even try. The WSJ article is open access. Apparently it’s not here. I get a screen saying I’ve used up all my free looks. > [@](#): > > As to your later point (re Terr), I’m afraid it’s gobbledegook. How about you explain in simple terms - with links - what you find a problem with. That ranks right down there with your request for a cite that the Philangists are Christian. ---
**Author:** ![jezzaOZ](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/a9a28c/32.png) [@jezzaOZ](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jezzaOZ)\ **Post date:** [May 5, 2015, 10:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-israel-providing-logistic-and-military-support-to-al-qaida/719202/51 "2015-05-05T10:40:52Z")
> [@Alessan](#): > > And by attacking al-Qaida, isn’t the U.S providing _de facto_ assistance to Hezbollah, the Assad regime and Iran? > . Hezbollah only got drawn into the war at least half way through. They have a perfectly justifiable horror at the thought of al-Qa’ida conquering Syria and then taking Lebanon. Prior to that the US ‘policy’ (if it can be called that) was to arm the non-existent moderate insurgents to take over Syria and prevent al-Qa’ida taking over. The US policy was and is anti al-Qa’ida However Israeli policy seems to be to encourage al-Qa’ida in Syria in the hope it will become a failed State like Libya. It doesn’t give a shit that they are fundamentalist Islamists so long as they take Syria back to the Stone Age - which they are doing quite nicely in Raqqa province - and so will never be a threat to Israel. The fact that Syria like Libya becomes a major threat to other nations by exporting terrorists and refugees by the shipload is of no concern so long as they don’t come to Israel. ---
**Author:** ![Monty](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/monty/32/47_2.png) [@Monty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Monty)\ **Post date:** [May 5, 2015, 10:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-israel-providing-logistic-and-military-support-to-al-qaida/719202/52 "2015-05-05T10:44:47Z")
Missed the edit window. Feel free to blame the Chinese government for the splash screen I get, but be sure you don’t say “It’s the Jews, Jewesses, spouses of Jews, spouses of Jewesses or even the Negros running the Communist Party.” Note: I’m quoting the terminology from one of jezz’s links in another thread. That really should tell you what you need to know about those links. ---
**Author:** ![Alessan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/alessan/32/465_2.png) [@Alessan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Alessan)\ **Post date:** [May 5, 2015, 10:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-israel-providing-logistic-and-military-support-to-al-qaida/719202/53 "2015-05-05T10:47:42Z")
> [@jezzaOZ](#): > > However Israeli policy seems to be to encourage al-Qa’ida in Syria in the hope it will become a failed State like Libya. It doesn’t give a shit that they are fundamentalist Islamists so long as they take Syria back to the Stone Age - which they are doing quite nicely in Raqqa province - and so will never be a threat to Israel. > > The fact that Syria like Libya becomes a major threat to other nations by exporting terrorists and refugees by the shipload is of no concern so long as they don’t come to Israel. Cite? (And what country would want a Libya _on its border?_ Seriously. As if the first place it would export terrorists to wouldn’t be Israel). ---
**Author:** ![jezzaOZ](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/a9a28c/32.png) [@jezzaOZ](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jezzaOZ)\ **Post date:** [May 5, 2015, 11:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-israel-providing-logistic-and-military-support-to-al-qaida/719202/54 "2015-05-05T11:02:15Z")
> [@Alessan](#): > > Cite? > > (And what country would want a Libya _on its border?_ Seriously. As if the first place it would export terrorists to wouldn’t be Israel). Cite what? My opinion? Or is there some fact you need reassurance on? ---
**Author:** ![Alessan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/alessan/32/465_2.png) [@Alessan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Alessan)\ **Post date:** [May 5, 2015, 11:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-israel-providing-logistic-and-military-support-to-al-qaida/719202/55 "2015-05-05T11:05:52Z")
I’m just trying to follow your logic. How did you get from “Israel performing limited strikes against Hezbollah targets and providing minor assistance to rebel groups on its border” to “Israel wants an Islamic and/or failed state”? You’re missing, like, ten steps in between. ---
**Author:** ![Kobal2](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kobal2/32/20_2.png) [@Kobal2](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kobal2)\ **Post date:** [May 5, 2015, 4:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-israel-providing-logistic-and-military-support-to-al-qaida/719202/56 "2015-05-05T16:57:24Z")
> [@Rune](#): > > No hate speech against those you hate. Check. You do realize “towelhead” is a slur against ever so slightly more people than “members of Daesh”… don’t you ? [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-israel-providing-logistic-and-military-support-to-al-qaida/719202.md?page=2)