The primary obligation of the US government is to US citizens. The US should not get involved in messy international situations unless there is a clear US interest. (The exception would be where a humanitarian goal is clearly attainable at relatively low cost).
The primary obligation of the Israeli government is to Israeli citizens. The Israeli government should deal with the Palestinian terrorists.
By the same token, the US should also avoid getting involved with the Israeli government’s handling of the situation (there’s no need for this constant support or condemning of various actions undertaken).
I stand enlightened, then. Of course, I still think both sides are big doody-heads over this issue, but the Palestinians’ non-editing of the charter does give pause. Tie this into my earlier rant about Arafat’s impotent rule.
I still say turn the whole thing over to Disney. Let the locals all relocate somewhere else…
Well yes, if the US could cause them to vanish from the Earth without any effort it would be somewhat better for the US. But the primary target of these groups is not the US, though that might change to a degree if the US went after them hard. Considering the costs and benefits from a purely US standpoint, I don’t think they US should get involved.
That’s just standard political jive. GB Sr. went on a campaign “against agression” when he liberated Kuwait, but his campaign extended only to countries that were rich in oil. As it should have.
The fact that a country is an ally does not imply a requirement that one get involved in fighting terrorism in that country. Share intelligence? Yes. Extradite suspects? Yes. Launch a military campaign to crush the terrorists? No.
Anymore, I think neither one deserves it. Holy Land my ass. If anything, they should call it the UNHoly Land, because everyone there just wants to kill each other.
Couldn’t they make Jerusalem an international city?
My dad says they should just unite and create one country. I say if neither side stops, they all lose the right to it. It’s ridiculous.
Remember that Bush chose his words very carefully when he proclaimed war on terrorism. He said he was making war on terrorists with global reach. (Loose translation: Terrorists who make trouble for the US.) The Palestinians are not “global” terrorists.
Now I do expect that if the Palestinians keep it up, we might be much less critical of any retaliatory measures Israel may choose to take than we have been in the past.
The US most certainly won’t go after the Palestinians.
Heck, last time they forced the Israelis to stop occupying Palestinian towns in retaliation for the attacks. The real question is whether they will even let Israel do its thing.
Izzy, you make good points. But, what if Israel asks for US support? Would we be obligated by treaty (I don’t know what kind of agreements we have with Israel)? If there was such a request on us, and we aren’t obligated, do you think we would heed the request?
Personally, I think the US would help Israel in this case. They’re an important strategic ally, I don’t think the government would leave them hanging.
