Israel - Arab Conflict

[Skip8282]

It seems to me that I keep hearing, mostly from the left - albeit some on the right, that we should not choose sides.

OK, why is it wrong to take a side?  Why is it wrong to align with one side or the other?

[Soul Crusher]

It seems to me that I keep hearing, mostly from the left - albeit some on the right, that we should not choose sides.

OK, why is it wrong to take a side?  Why is it wrong to align with one side or the other?

We should take sides and the Palis to go fuck themselves and come back when they can prove that they are even remotely ready for a "state" 

[OzmO]

It seems to me that I keep hearing, mostly from the left - albeit some on the right, that we should not choose sides.

OK, why is it wrong to take a side?  Why is it wrong to align with one side or the other?

As by taking sides what do you mean?  supporting that side financially, politically, economically and militarily?

[headhuntersix]

We all know that rags can't fight unless they're hiding behind a burka or fighting from a Mosque so we might not have to get involved. However if you see overt US involvment I would think that Israel told us that they're gonna burn the Middle East down unless they get some help. I think we'd want to avoid this.

[JBGRAY]

The second highest recipient of US Foreign Aid is Saudi Arabia...including around 60 Billion in Arms sales to Riyadh last year.  Several hundred million in aid also goes to the Palestinians from the US each year (although it pales in comparison to the billions we give to Israel, however).  Many of the Middle Eastern nations are just as if not more responsible for the Palestinian's woes as Israel and the Palestinians themselves.  Palestinians are pretty much the "cellar dwellers" of the peoples of the Middle East, many working low wage jobs in other Arab nations.......basically, a step below where illegal Mexicans now stand in the US today.  They are used for propaganda purposes to keep pressure on Israel and its allies.

I may point out the excessiveness and influence that the Israeli lobby has here in the US, but the Israeli entity is certainly not a sole bad guy, if they are a bad guy at all.......an Islamic-dominated region simply cannot sustain peace with any of its neighbors...whether they be Jewish, Christian, or Muslim.

[loco]

The second highest recipient of US Foreign Aid is Saudi Arabia...including around 60 Billion in Arms sales to Riyadh last year.  Several hundred million in aid also goes to the Palestinians from the US each year (although it pales in comparison to the billions we give to Israel, however).  Many of the Middle Eastern nations are just as if not more responsible for the Palestinian's woes as Israel and the Palestinians themselves.  Palestinians are pretty much the "cellar dwellers" of the peoples of the Middle East, many working low wage jobs in other Arab nations.......basically, a step below where illegal Mexicans now stand in the US today.  They are used for propaganda purposes to keep pressure on Israel and its allies.

I may point out the excessiveness and influence that the Israeli lobby has here in the US, but the Israeli entity is certainly not a sole bad guy, if they are a bad guy at all.......an Islamic-dominated region simply cannot sustain peace with any of its neighbors...whether they be Jewish, Christian, or Muslim.

You're alright, JBGRAY!

[Hugo Chavez]

It seems to me that I keep hearing, mostly from the left - albeit some on the right, that we should not choose sides.

OK, why is it wrong to take a side?  Why is it wrong to align with one side or the other?

Safe bet, align with America.  And that side doesn't come with attachments lol...

[Fury]

They could all fuck off, especially the Islamists. Never heard of a Palestine nor could I care less about them. But I'm not being bigoted as I hold them in the same regard as I do the UN, that cesspool of dictators, authoritarians and semi-authoritarian trash.

Get off oil and the Middle East will no longer be relevant. OPEC stands to earn $1 TRILLION this year.


Here's a good question from a WSJ article today:

"Are Palestinians entitled to a state? Before certain readers erupt at the mere suggestion that Palestinians may not be so entitled, we'd note that the Kurds—one of the oldest ethnic groups in the world—don't have a state. Neither do the Tamils of Sri Lanka, the Uighurs and Tibetans of China, the Basques of Spain, the Chechens of Russia or the Flemish of Belgium. The list of peoples with plausible claims to statehood is as long as the current number of U.N. member states, if not longer."

[headhuntersix]

Of those groups atleast the Kurds are worth a damm. I've been to Irbile..bars,clubs..nice and safe, atleast if your American.

[Skip8282]

As by taking sides what do you mean?  supporting that side financially, politically, economically and militarily?

However you want to look at it.  This is more philosophical.  I understand that we're playing both sides and we can't afford to keep funding both, if either.  But, what's so wrong with choosing a side to support?

[Skip8282]

"Are Palestinians entitled to a state? Before certain readers erupt at the mere suggestion that Palestinians may not be so entitled, we'd note that the Kurds—one of the oldest ethnic groups in the world—don't have a state. Neither do the Tamils of Sri Lanka, the Uighurs and Tibetans of China, the Basques of Spain, the Chechens of Russia or the Flemish of Belgium. The list of peoples with plausible claims to statehood is as long as the current number of U.N. member states, if not longer."

Fantastic question.

[OzmO]

However you want to look at it.  This is more philosophical.  I understand that we're playing both sides and we can't afford to keep funding both, if either.  But, what's so wrong with choosing a side to support?

I wasn't asking any of that.  I wanted to know what you meant by "support"

I don't know that there is anything so wrong with taking either side 100% other than the problems there aren't so simple. And to be able to decide which side we should take if it has to come to taking one or the other i need to know what you mean by "taking a side".

[Skip8282]

I wasn't asking any of that.  I wanted to know what you meant by "support"

I don't know that there is anything so wrong with taking either side 100% other than the problems there aren't so simple. And to be able to decide which side we should take if it has to come to taking one or the other i need to know what you mean by "taking a side".

And I'm saying "support" in however you want to look at:  financially, militarily, philosophically, vocally, etc.

I seem to keep hearing we should be neutral.  Why? 

[andreisdaman]

And I'm saying "support" in however you want to look at:  financially, militarily, philosophically, vocally, etc.

I seem to keep hearing we should be neutral.  Why? 

We are already in support of Israel, but the two sides do not want peace and we can't stay in the middle forever between them.....The Palis will not renounce terrorism and they want to overrun Israel with migrants ..they want the right for all Palestinians who have left Israel to be able to return and claim their land...land that now owned by Israelis....this is why there will never be peace....also Israel would like to see the status quo remain in place for as long as it can....since they are in control and have all of the land that they want and are taking over more with their settlements.....

plus the bible and the Koran are involved so there will be no peace ever.....its a waste of time on our parts..we have been trying to get them to negotiate for decades...they will never do it.....there is too much at stake for both sides..meanwhile, we are getting bled dry financially

[OzmO]

And I'm saying "support" in however you want to look at:  financially, militarily, philosophically, vocally, etc.

I seem to keep hearing we should be neutral.  Why? 

I really don't know.  I don't have enough of the facts at hand and history at hand to say one way or another.

just being up front about it.

I can argue the Israeli side:  Dam Hamas lobbing rockets, suicide bombs,  I can argue the Palestinian side:  repressed and oppressed.

Frankly them Arabs and Jews included will be fighting themselves forever i thinks. 

that all being said:  I think its important to define what you mean be support because supporting just politically is different than supporting militarily.