The problem that I have with any ethnic/religious/nationalistic group is when they draw a line between themselves and the rest of humanity. I don't want my tax dollars going to support any group of people who would disapprove of their sister marrying my brother. That's in essence what Israel stands for at the end of the day, and I think it's why so many Americans are so turned off by them. In essence they're saying, 'we don't like you, we don't trust you, you're not pure, you're going to hell when you die, now give us your retirement money so we can buy tanks and build fences around these swarms of Arabs to protect ourselves.'

I know plenty of Jews who are married to Christians and never ever heard anyone say not to marry one. Jews dont believe in Hell, Christians have free travel in Israel, and the US spends more on supporting Western and Central Europe militarily than it ever has or will on Israel.

And the moslems??? Are they tolerant of non moslems. The most virulent anti israel

molems want to set up an intolerant theocratic state It wasn't israelis who were

dancing on 9/11 it was the palestinians.

That sounds nice, it's just not the reality of the situation.

The orthodox Jews have the most clout both in Israel and the US govt, and they don't intermarry with Christians, and impose a virtual theocratic system on Israel. There are plenty of laws on the books that blur the line between church and state.

Why are there only 10% Arab citizens in Israel? I'm sure there are plenty of excuses, but everyone knows that Israel considers it an existential threat to allow the religious balance to tip away from a Jewish majority.

You may be right about 'Hell', but to use terms like 'chosen people' (or not to repudiate them) doesn't engender affections from the rest of us schlubs.

Not to knock on the Jews, because honestly, in my opinion they're not as odious as the Muslims nor the Christians, they just seem to be a lot better at wielding power in the decisions of my government.

"It wasn't israelis who were dancing on 9/11, it was the palestinians."

Richard -

I haven't gotten over that image either. It colors every thought I have on whether the Palestinians, or Israel, or both are the enemies of peace in this conflict.

Your problem is the first thing you think when you analyze the fact that Israel receives a large amount of defense support from ther resources of the United States is "Our foreign policy is controlled by (Israeli) JEWS". A new, progressive spin on a very old mantra that got its start well before The Learned Protocols of the Elders of Sion.

A sensible, rational, person would decide that perhaps the United States gives so much aid to Israel because it is in the national security interest of the United States to support a fairly liberal (for the Middle East) government in a region filled with well-oiled autocrats and psychotic sheikhs.

..and in that sense, they're no different than the extremist Muslims Americans are so phobic about these days.

Perhaps religious extremism is just a Semitic gene, expressed in Muslims and Jews alike...in any case, none of our affair and we should not be involved.

...six of one and a half-dozen of the other when it comes to Jewish v. Muslim extremists and ultra-orthodox fanatics.

One, that criticism of Israel and its policies is not anti-Semitic per se.

Two, that it is NOT in our security interests to promote only Israel's interests at the expense of the entire Arab world. No sheikh is more "psychotic" than a fanatical Israeli of the Begin or Sharon type.

...that years of U.S. support for Israel at the expense of the Palestinians "colored" their impressions of 9/11 as well...

Horus -

Maybe I should consider giving the Palestinians a pass for their response to 9-11. Alternatively, I could dance in the street and sing loo-loo-loo-loo-loo as they did, whenever an Israeli raid kills a few dozen of them. Neither works for me.

The Palestinians act like my country's enemy, the Israelis do not.

...do not.

Aside from when it suits them...the Israelis sure as hell don't act like our ally, now do they?

Wow, are you wrong, “America spends more on supporting Europe than on Isreal” are you kidding? First, per capita it’s not even close, by any measure. Israel is a small slice of crap land that is of absolutely no benefit to the United States, and boarders no enemy of ours (Iran and Iraq are enemies of Israel not the US) Europe on the other hand boarders Russia, your point is simply ludicrous. We support Europe because it is in our self-interest. Support for Israel costs us more than just dollars; it costs our children’s lives, our credibility… I believe Israel is our worst enemy, as they have manipulated our government to support them and with that support they take advantage of it by building more settlements, making the rest of the world hate US. One has to ask one’s self, why Israel needs the most powerful and well funded lobbyists in Washington, I think the answer is self evident.

this article was not talking about Muslims, and Muslims don't have organizations such as AIPAC manipulating our politics!

In a fight do you really think Isreal would back us up, if it were not in their interets to do so? With freinds like them who needs enemies. I would trust England over Israel anyday.