What's the best thing that Israel has done for America?

[MyRescueKittehRocks]

The thing that Israel did best for America is the one that she did best for all peoples. Being the people from whom the Messiah Jesus came. As much as many have avoided the Jesus card, it's one that can't be neglected.

[Famous Mortimer]

While I don't mind people criticizing Israel's actions, I don't think we should be deciding foreign policy based on "what can this country do for us?" at least not entirely. It's pretty clear brutal dictatorships in Central America could do a lot for us in terms of business, that doesn't mean we were right to support them over democratically elected governments.

[Silent Hunter]

It's pretty clear brutal dictatorships in Central America could do a lot for us in terms of business, that doesn't mean we were right to support them over democratically elected governments.

Although the conservative counter-argument might be "it's better to have a brutal dictatorship on our side than any government on the USSR's side".

[ag]

It's pretty clear brutal dictatorships in Central America could do a lot for us in terms of business, that doesn't mean we were right to support them over democratically elected governments.

Although the conservative counter-argument might be "it's better to have a brutal dictatorship on our side than any government on the USSR's side".

Actually, brutal dictatorships in CA can do exactly nothing for the US - even in terms of business. Costa Rica is a long-standing democracy - and is pretty good for business. El Salvador has been a lot better for business since it became a democracy than when it was (a civil-war-plagued) dictatorship. The only CA state at this point that is approaching dictatorship these days is Nicaragua, and it is a) extremely empoverished and b) only good for Chinese business, anyway.

[Torie]

A better question than what Israel has or has not done for America, when it comes to fashioning American foreign policy (which I assume is the motivation of Snowstalker's thread), is what would be the ultimate consequence of the US cutting Israel loose, to fend for itself, even if attacked, even if it risked another Jewish diaspora or mass killings with nukes being loosed in the chaos. Intelligent foreign policy looks as best it can as to the end game of the decisions made. It would have been nice if Dubya did that more before he embarked on his foreign policy adventures.

[Chunk Yogurt for President!]

The thing that Israel did best for America is the one that she did best for all peoples. Being the people from whom the Messiah Jesus came. As much as many have avoided the Jesus card, it's one that can't be neglected.

[Indy Texas]

The thing that Israel did best for America is the one that she did best for all peoples. Being the people from whom the Messiah Jesus came. As much as many have avoided the Jesus card, it's one that can't be neglected.

This: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Herodian_kingdom

and this: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Israel

are not the same thing.

[Insula Dei]

The thing that Israel did best for America is the one that she did best for all peoples. Being the people from whom the Messiah Jesus came. As much as many have avoided the Jesus card, it's one that can't be neglected.

Problem: Bethlehem is in the West Bank. Doesn't this mean the US ought to be all over the Security Council trying to cover Fatah's back?

[Silent Hunter]

Actually, brutal dictatorships in CA can do exactly nothing for the US - even in terms of business.

Look up the origin of the term "Banana Republic"; I think you may change your mind.