It is common knowledge that the United States supports Israel. This can be seen by factual information like the statistic that we give more money in foreign aid to Israel than any other country (excluding Iraq and Afghanistan). What is so intriguing about this situation is that almost all the aid is given in order for Israel to buy weapons. The debate over whether the U.S. should support Israel or not is very emotional for many people because of the history behind the creation of the country. I find the debate over whether the U.S. should support Israel very difficult to assess because of the tough situation the country is in. Yes, Israel's government very closely resembles the United States, and yes, Israel has some similar values to the U.S., but at the same time, there are many situations in which Israel does not support peace between their country and those surrounding them. Many theories can use evidence to demonstrate how Israel has to fight for its' land, or else surrounding nations would destroy the country, but it is difficult to get over the amount of damage that Israel has inflicted on Palestinians and other Islamic nations. The question comes down to, how does the U.S. give support to a parliamentary democracy that kills thousands of people?
The argument over what should be the United States' role in Israel could be debated for vast amounts of time. I think what is interesting about this debate is the fact that the situation with Israel is another example of the United States' lack of ability to lead the United Nations. Sadly, the United States disagrees with the opinions of the United Nations on what type of aid should be given to the country of Israel. I am not trying to say that I believe in either side of the argument of if the U.S. should support Israel, but I think that the U.S. could do a better job as the super power of the world in leading other nations to finding agreement. At the same time it should be noted that Israel is another situation where the U.S. is trapped in their decisions regarding the country, because the stakes are so high for the nation of Israel. Besides this, I think that the U.S. relationship with Israel is an interesting topic that portrays the responsibilities and actions that the U.S. is taking as the super power of the globe.
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I did not realize we gave so much money to Israel. I can understand both sides of the debate about how much aid should we really be giving Israel and think that it is a very tough situation. Do you think that giving aid based on Israel meeting set stipulations could solve some of the problems or just create more? For example, giving Israel incentives such as increased funding to make peace with neighbors. Also, maybe the United Nations could follow suit and instigate similar institutions in the way they support nations?
ReplyDeleteIt seems like the United States is promoting the spread of violence through giving Israel, this money that is being used for weapons. Does the United States know that the money is being used for weapons and if the United States knows this why do they keep giving more money to support this spread of violence?
ReplyDeleteI believe that the government is completely aware that almost all of the money that is given to Israel is for weapons. The reason that this is allowed is because the U.S. government understands that if Israel is not given weapons, it will more than likely be destroyed. I am sure that the government does not want to support violence but at the same time, I believe that the government feels it has a responsibility to keep Israel alive. At the same time, as much as I want a system with aid based on set stipulations to work, I feel that any other system will fail. I feel this way because of how much conflict is in the history between the people of Israel and its' surrounding nations. Israel is not the only side that spreads violence in the conflict. Both sides are stubborn as to settling on a peace agreement, and their are many entities that will never agree with each other because of things such as religious beliefs. As I do more research into the situation, I find less and less evidence as to what is the correct path in order to bring peace between these different entities. I feel that this might also be the way that the United States views the situation, and the government cannot find a way to get out of the situation guilt free.
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