Why do Americans consider Israel their closest ally?

[cye]

It is very simple the US has far more in common with Israel culturally, ideologically, economically, and yes we both share the old testament. Israel has also been far more stable politically than any other country in the region as politicians are replaced with ballots not bullets. Whether you believe Israel has pursued foolish policies when it comes to building settlements on captured lands is a fair point but what really isn't open to dispute is that their behavior is predictable unlike so many countries in this region. Israel has always conducted its affairs from a defensive posture in the face of overwhelming opposition, the goal always to insure the survival of the Jewish state.
It saddens me to read the unthinking drivel written in this thread and the total ignorance that dominates so much of what is written. If any of you care O Jerusalem is a good book to read to gain some understanding of the origins of modern Israel.

 

[Aardvark154]

A simple look at post Holocaust demographics might be helpful. The U.S. has the highest percentage of its population being Jewish of any state outside Israel itself: 1.7 percent of the U.S. population (39 percent of all self-identifying Jews); Canada follows at 1.1 percent of the Canadian population, (2.8 percent of all self-identifying Jews) there are no other states where Jews make up one percent or greater of the population.

Which might also help clarify the rise in European anti-Semitism

 

[wigglee]

The American Jewish lobby is rich, powerful and will try to destroy any politician who so much as suggests an objective, fair and balanced approach to brokering peace between Israel and Palestine. So, basically the American politicians are paid off and/or intimidated.

 

[Aardvark154]

It is very simple the US has far more in common with Israel culturally, ideologically, economically, and yes we both share the old testament.

Related to this many of the original settlers of the British American Colonies were members of non-conformist groups such as: the Puritans - Separatists - Congregationalists; The Religious Society of Friends; and various Anabaptist groups all of whom saw themselves as being a chosen people like the people of Israel and hence having a special relationship with the Old Testament. For instance Old Testament names which where very common in Colonial America, and followed the Planters and UELs to Canada were extremely uncommon in Great Britain.

Now you might ask given the huge waves of nineteenth and early twentieth century immigration, why this matters to which the answer is cultural assimilation – see David Fischer's: Albion's Seed: Four British Folkways in America.

 

[Cobster]

And why does it matter?

Why do Americans, in particular Republicans, get up and cheer whenever a politician (such as the Republicans running for President) mentions that Israel is America's closest ally and friend? It's such a bizarre spectacle to watch. What does it mean and why does any American care about any country in the Middle East?

http://religion.blogs.cnn.com/2010/10/08/rabbi-why-evangelical-christians-give-millions-to-israel/

http://www.beliefnet.com/Faiths/Christianity/2002/06/The-Rapture-Factor.aspx


In order for the Rapture to happen, Jewish people have to own and be in full control of all of Israel.
It's those nutty Bible thumpers and in turn all the other weak minded followers (sheep) who just cheer on, not knowing why.

Besides, the Jewish lobby is a monster powerhouse in Washington, with a lot of Jewish people in businesses, government, etc, all over the U.S.
They've got a life long friend in the U.S. and vice-versa.

It's really that simple, anyone who claims it's because they're a democratic country and share the same values is just talking out their ass.

 

[Aardvark154]

In order for the Rapture to happen, Jewish people have to own and be in full control of all of Israel.

You do realize that it is Evangelical Protestant Christians and ONLY Evangelical Protestant Christians who believe in "the Rapture". No mainstream denomination believes in this nonsense.

 

[Cobster]

Understood, but this is why I mentioned the "sheep". The voice of the few loud morons who cheer on and clap for Israel are so overpowering, the rest just follow their lead in crying for their support of Israel. They do so not only because of the strong few who voice their support for Israel, but also they're fed the B.S. "they share the same values as us" crap.
I'm sure we can dig up a few other countries who have democracies in which to a lot of those in the U.S. are evil or demonized in some other fashion.

 

[toguy5252]

It is too easy and oh so predictable for the haters to attribute US support for Israel as being the result of the Jewish Lobby. It would be great if that lobby had that power which it does not. The US support Israel because in addition to shared cultural and political beliefs it is in its strategic interests to do so.

"Israeli contributions to U.S. national interests, under-appreciated by many, include enhanced counter-terrorism, intelligence and technology useful in urban warfare."

http://articles.latimes.com/2011/oct/31/opinion/la-oe-blackwill-israel-20111031

 

[Pastor Tricky]

And why does it matter?

Why do Americans, in particular Republicans, get up and cheer whenever a politician (such as the Republicans running for President) mentions that Israel is America's closest ally and friend? It's such a bizarre spectacle to watch. What does it mean and why does any American care about any country in the Middle East?

My belief is that no American should care and really doesn't care but they've been trained to think that they care and that they have to care about Israel. If Israel were to vaporize tomorrow, what difference would it make to America? None, except that American taxpayers would be able to save billions of dollars in foreign aid to Israel.

Am I misinformed? What is the significance of American and Israeli ties?

45-60 % of campaign donations to Dem's come from the Pro-Israel Lobby. 25-35% of the GOP's donations come from the same. I'm sure it makes no difference to policy though.

 

[Libra]

The Evangelical Christians support Israel despite everything because the Evangelicals believe in "the Rapture".

In a nutshell, the Rapture is when Jesus Christ comes back to Earth in corporal form and we all get to meet him and shake his hand (if we're not all dead).

As I understand it, the Rapture is prophesized in the Book of Revelations (which for some reason is included in the New Testament, though there are many Christian Scholars who believe that it does not belong there) Revelations says that before Jesus can return, the Jews must be in control of the Holy Land (Israel). There are a few other things in there too, but that's one of the biggies.

Sooooo

You want to meet Jesus first hand? (And what good Christian Zealot does not want meet the son of God?) - well, the Jews have to be in control of the Holy land, so they get support till the end of time by the American Gov't since a huge number of them are Evangelical Christians (never mind the American Military which is virtually controlled by them now)

But here's the funny part that the Jews don't know......

In Revelations, Jesus comes back to Earth after the Battle of Armageddon. During that battle - pretty much all of the Jews are wiped out (about half). And those that aren't killed get to meet Jesus too and he is pissed off that they didn't believe in him (being the son of God and all), so after the Battle of Armageddon, Jesus comes down from heaven and the surviving Jews realize the error of their ways and convert to Christianity and they all live happily ever after.

(You can't make this shit up.)

The really funny thing is that Evangelicals tend to be Republican Conservatives to the extreme and Jesus would definitely be a liberal. Do you think Jesus would believe in a massive military? No. Would Jesus want to see Universal Health Care? Yes. Would Jesus believe in capital punishment, owning AK 47’s, or killing homosexuals? No. Would Jesus think it right that CEO’s should make a hundred million a year while there was poverty in this world? Never.

I like this Jesus’ guys morals and all, but the Christian right will most likely demand he be crucified.

Great post! Great writing.

I enjoyed that so much I had to put it through a plagiarism checker, and you passed 100%!

I am such a doubting Thomas...

 

[onthebottom]

I think it's a false question as I don't think the US views Israel as it's "closest ally".

It is a democracy in a region without many of those, that would be the obvious answer... also American Jews are very supportive of Israel (finically, they send their kids there at least once for indoctrination, some move there). Many Israeli's move to the US. The US has the second highest Jewish population in the world after Israel.



OTB

 

[Asterix]

I think it's a false question as I don't think the US views Israel as it's "closest ally".

It is a democracy in a region without many of those, that would be the obvious answer... also American Jews are very supportive of Israel (finically, they send their kids there at least once for indoctrination, some move there). Many Israeli's move to the US. The US has the second highest Jewish population in the world after Israel.



OTB

That's largely true. I always thought the US considered Britain as it's closest ally. Israel is a bit, well, finicky. To put it kindly.

 

[nottyboi]

Because Americans enjoy being sodomized ...lol

 

[Asterix]

Because Americans enjoy being sodomized ...lol

Wouldn't know personally. But then I assume you're drawing from you own experience about such things.

 

[onthebottom]

That's largely true. I always thought the US considered Britain as it's closest ally. Israel is a bit, well, finicky. To put it kindly.

^^^^^^^^^ this

OTB

 

[kkelso]

I am not saying that Jews don't control a lot of wealth and dominate the media but they got to those positions because they were qualified and not because they are Jews. Jews study hard, have strong work ethic and help other Jews out.

The answer is quite simple: EDUCATION

This point is so often lost, and not immediately clear to those who do not work with Jews day in & day out. The whole religion/culture is a lifelong masters class in how to be successful.

That having been said, if you are in an industry dominated by Jews (like me) and you say or do the wrong thing your career is over.

KK

 

[nottyboi]

Wouldn't know personally. But then I assume you're drawing from you own experience about such things.

Yes I have to admit I enjoy sodomizing American women and my studies indicate they enjoy it.

 

[groggy]

The US gives about $3 billion in aid to Israel each year and a good chunk of that makes its way back into AIPAC, which has been accused of spying and is the only such agency that isn't qualified as a foreign entity and ineligible for funding American politicians. AIPAC is the largest donor to politics in the US, as posted above at 45-60% of Democratic funding and as such have incredible pull. They've been so ingrained into American politics that no party can afford to not do what they say.

I had thought this Jewish conspiracy talk was nonsense, but really, its all out in the open for anyone to check out. Its not a conspiracy, its the way things are.

Otherwise Israel has nothing of strategic value, unless you count them as the only nuclear armed force in the middle east and worthy as an ally on that basis. But the amount of grief if gives American's through the world hardly makes it worthwhile, one could argue.

 

[GG2]

I think it's a false question as I don't think the US views Israel as it's "closest ally".

It is a democracy in a region without many of those, that would be the obvious answer... also American Jews are very supportive of Israel (finically, they send their kids there at least once for indoctrination, some move there). Many Israeli's move to the US. The US has the second highest Jewish population in the world after Israel.

OTB

South Africa is also a democracy in a region without many of those, and like the US, South Africa also shares common heritage, values, and struggles. Yet Americans couldn't care less about South Africa, nor should they. Just like they have no business caring about Israel. I've always found it perplexing, humorous, and absurd how one would be able to find some redneck in Louisiana who champions Israel even though he wouldn't be able to locate it on a map. He just knows that America is at war with those "Aye-rabs" and the Jews are too, so they are America's friends. He hears this every day on tv and radio from the political leaders of his country.

The falsehood is that America should care at all about a country in a region simply because it purportedly shares a similar political system. Ron Paul is pretty loopy on many issues but his position on Israel and Middle Eastern nations seems rational. Let them handle their own business and keep the US out of it. I think the strategic location of Israel is over-stated just as I think the threat of Muslims nations in the region are to America, especially if America were to stop getting involved with their affairs.

I think the explanations pointing to the role of religion and lobbies carries more weight than anything to do with values and democracy.

 

[shack]

But the amount of grief if gives American's through the world hardly makes it worthwhile, one could argue.

The continued support by the U.S. indicates that Israel has much to offer to offset any grief it may cause. Another indication of something you are blind to.