Why do you support Israel's right to exist?

[Citizen James]

I have phrased the question as a 'why' rather than a 'do' as support for Israel in the US is near universal (and rather common in the western world overall), however I think there are major differences in why that support is.

Some right wingers accuse the left of not supporting Israel as much (that is, not completely blindly) because we do sometimes criticize some of their policies.  I think part of that is based on how the nation is seen - as a modern democracy, or as a religious icon.  Whereas in the religious right Israels safety is considered only a temporary concern - based on their desire for armageddon and eventual widespread destruction.  Others (such as neocons) see it  as a stepping stone for increasing influence in the region not caring for whether it is fair or not (we have often allied with dictators for temporary gain.  For example, we opposed freedom and democracy in South Africa because the fearmongers kept insisting that a government by, of, and for the people was practically the definition of socialism)

I added a few other options, just to cover all the bases.