Advocate wrote:George, once Carter was in office, he never sought to reduce the support of Israel.
Indeed, he has always been sympathetic to the Pals, and misguided relative to getting them to enter into a reasonable accord with Israel.
I'm not sure I follow your meaning in your second paragraph above.
Since his term in office, Carter has been very clear in his judgement of the oppression Israel has systematically inflicted on the Palestinian population of the West Bank. Indeed he very prominently referred to it as "Apartheidt" in his recent book - a reference which I had earlier used here and to which you objected vociferously. Overall I found your choice of Carter, as a model for the esteem for Israel and appreciation of the value to us of the strategic relationship which you allege U.S. Presidents learn while in office, as rather strange and counter to your apparent purpose.
Candidates for national office get their initial encounter with the powerful Israeli lobby in this country during their campaigns. They (especially Presidents) learn even more while in office about its power and pervasive character. I seriously doubt that presidents leave office with an increased affection for Israel, or any remaining delusions about the benefits to us of our support for it basically self-destructive ambitions.
Israel has become a third rail in U.S. political life. Despite this there is a growing hostility towards Israel in political and government circles in this country - at least apart from the very vocal Evangelical support groups. At the political level we see the inevitable expressions of unqualified support for "Little Israel" (often delivered in a strange, detached way, reminiscent of the Manchurian Candidate) from the candidates, Presidents and Cabinet officials; below them are the actions of the very pro-Israel political appointees they appoint to the second echelon of key agencies; and working with them are key members of Congress; and below both, the increasingly sullen silence of the resentful bureaucrats they direct.
I once had a very peripheral role in the damage assessment investigation of Israeli espionage and technology thefts attendant to some combined U.S./Israel strategic & military programs and the people assigned to them. It gave me a look at the extent of the Israel actions and the damage they did. I also got an encounter with the long accumulating rage and hostility towards Israel resulting from all this in agencies of our government. It is real and substantial.
I believe that public support of Israel in this country is slowly eroding - even among American Jews. This, in turn, makes AIPAC's job harder, and erodes, the government political cover that has so far contained this rage and hostility with such effect. One day the critical point will be reached and the dam will burst. That day is approaching.
Any particular region? Where is the best place in Germany to die?
