Anti-Semitism is alive and well. There are many reasons to worry about a second holocaust. Nevertheless, AIPAC has encouraged the US Government to act in ways that are not always in our nation's best interest. This is a fact. The continuing development of new Israeli settlements in Jordanian (so-called "West Bank") territory is completely ignored by the US government and Mainstream press, for fear of being attacked by AIPAC. This is contrary to all international law, but is allowed to continue without any US objections. The entire world knows that such settlements could not possibly occur without tacit US approval. Consequently, these settlements are cited as one of many reasons legitimizing acts of aggression and terrorism against both Israel and the US. This is but one example of how our legislature and our Mainstream Press ignore and support acts that are contrary to US interest. Walt and Mearsheimer may not have written a perfect book, but the underlying truth of their premise is obvious for any who carefully looks at the facts.

Great post - but I'm sure you'll be labeled an anti-Semite yourself. Why? B/c you dared to suggest that there is something wrong with some Israeli behaviors. I.E illegal settlements in the WB.

It has somehow become common to label people as hateful Jew-haters when they are attempting to diagnose a situation using all the relevant facts and see all sides. Suicide bombing against Israelis? Huge problem, who would disagree? Illegal settlements that displace people who have lived in the area for generations? Who cares - they're Muslim...

...that's a mentality (anti-everyone who questions what is going on) which is really dangerous. If the U.S can't acknowledge the Palestinian/Muslim plight as being even somewhat valid we're not going to gain any traction in that region as far as gaining respect and diminishing hatred. The plight, in case people don't know, is living in a region that was turned into a country after they were already living there...and yet they were somehow not worked fairly into the "plan" which created this new country.

GEStelz

You're way off. The overwhelming majority of Israelis are not devout. I wouldn't quite say they are non-practicing in that they would certainly consider thwmselves Jewish, but more in an ethnic and cultural sense than a religious one. The fundamentalist Jews who set up shop on Palestinian land, the ones who view their actions as a directive from God, are in the extreme minority--most Israelis despise them for the simple fact that this minority is endangering the whole of the country for what they see as a delusional literalist view of the Old Testament. Just to underscore this reality, the army does not patrol or occupy the settlements as in the old days. Sure, in the event of a rocket attack, a nearby checkpoint may provide assistance, but by and large the Israelis want nothing to do with the settlers.

Shvitz...I understand all your points and will concede to agreeing...but what do they have to do with what I said?!? I didn't say anything about religion or the role it plays in the lives of Israelis!! Come onnnnn dude! (*joking tone*
not bitchy). My post was about government, not god...however it appears to me that some governments think they they and god are one in the same.