when I wholeheartedly agreed with that sentiment. It was indeed a hostile environment and it was in the interest of the United States to ensure Israel's security and assist it economically. Those days are falling behind us.

Primarily due to the efforts of the international community - not least of which was the efforts of past Presidents of this nation - Israel has some form of negotiated settlement with most of its neighbors. Nonetheless, we still annually dump $3,000,000,000 worth of foreign aid into that nation (more than any other) and it has become - like all other forms of welfare that chafes you guys' butts - remarkably counter-productive.

I agree that Israel had a difficult time for the first thiry years, but that was thirty years ago. Their only task now is to resolve their differences with the people who have been displaced in the decades of dispute. They seem perfectly unable to do so and in the process, have made it very difficult for people who cherish human rights to be consistently supportive of their cause. There is no such thing as unwaivering support. There is no such thing as eternal friendship. Not in international politics.