"The Cause of Israel is the Cause of America"

[Herschel]

My first trip to Israel made real for me all I'd believed about Israel.

I was allowed to fly an air force jet from the Ovda Airbase. It was then that Israeli insecurity about narrow borders became very real to me. In a matter of minutes, I came close to violating the airspace of Egypt, Jordan, and Syria. From that moment on, I felt as Israelis do: The promise of peace must be secure before the Promised Land is secure on a thin margin of land.

Back on the ground on that first trip, I toured the country from Kibbutz Mizgav Am to Masada to the Golan. I stood in the very shelter in a kibbutz in the north where children were attacked and I looked at launching sites and impact zones for Katousha rockets. I was enthralled by Tel Aviv, moved by Jerusalem and inspired by by standing above Capernaum, looking out over the Sea of Galilee, where I read aloud the Sermon on The Mount. I met people of stunning commitment, who honestly and vigorously debated the issues as I watched and listened intently. I went as a friend by conviction; I returned a friend at the deepest personal level.

cut

http://www.counterpunch.com/kerry02172004.html

Very encouraging. Ii is our hope Kerry stays in line on Israel. America will remain firmly behind Israel regardless of the 2004 election. My apologies for the misguided source.

[Wonk]

1. dupe

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=124&topic_id=53781

[Lithos]

5. Locking

Dupe

[Darranar]

2. Do you think...

that Americans should have a choice on whether or not to support Israel?

[sweetcee]

3. Absolutely!

That's why we do it.

All the medical, technological and intelligence we get from the only true democracy in the ME is invaluable to the USA.

[Darranar]

4. Israel is not a "true democracy"...

there is no nation existing on the planet that qualifies as a "rue democracy".

Israel is certainly the most democratic nation in the ME.