I’ve tried to explain to Israeli friends why it’s not just some American Jews and most fundamentalist American Christians, but a whopping majority of Americans whose religion is far less formal (or even nonexistent) who back Israel unequivocally.
Walter Russell Mead does a much better job of it.
“….when Israel brings the big guns and fast planes against Gaza’s popguns and low tech missiles, a great many Americans see nothing but common sense at work. These Americans aren’t mad about ‘disproportionate’ Israeli violence in Gaza because they don’t really accept the concept of proportionality in war. They think that if you have jus ad bellum [right to fight], and rocket strikes from Gaza are definitely that, you get something close to a blank check when it comes to jus in bello [justice in war].
“If anything, rather than weakening American sympathy for Israel, Israel’s response in Gaza (and the global criticism that surrounds it) is likely to strengthen the bonds of respect and esteem that many Americans feel for Israelis. Far from seeing Israel’s use of overwhelming force against limited provocation as harsh or immoral, many Americans see it as courageous and wise. It strengthens the sense that in a wacky world where a lot of foreigners are hard to understand, the Israelis are honest, competent and reliable friends — good people to have on your side in a tight spot.”
Which is why I believe that when Americans learn that Barry is threatening to withdrawn military support from Israel unless Israel does what he says, Democrat politicians who don’t immediately turn on him will have a very hard time getting re-elected.
Read it all here.
THE TEXAS SCRIBBLER 