Letters to the Editor
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ISRAEL IS NOT NECESSARILY OUR BEST FRIEND
To hear that Israel's Six-Day War may have been a war of choice rather than necessity doesn't surprise me a bit; they have a long history of dissembling when it comes to dealing with the United States.
In 1967, Israel attacked, without provocation and with full knowledge, the USS Liberty in the Mediteranean. Many of our sailors were killed and Israel claimed ignorance that it was an American military vessel that they attacked. Intercepted radio traffic from the Israeli jets, boats and combat-command show that the Israelis lied. They even have a commemorative display in their "Pentagon" that applauds that scurrilous sneak-attack.
Jonathan Pollard, an Israeli-oriented US employee, spied on the US at Israel's behest. He is jailed here on espionage charges, but, Israel continues to whine that he should be released. No apology from them at all has been forthcoming.
Israel's constant complaint is that Palestinian "terrorists" target innocent Israeli civilians to further their cause. In 1948, future Israeli Prime Minister Menachem Begin blew up the King David Hotel in Jerusalem, killing innocent British men, women and children. No apologies or admissions of culpability have ever been issued by Israel. Ever. Not ever.
Have you seen the rather interesting video of the six or seven young Israeli men, dancing and laughing atop their car, as they watched the 9/11 attacks from just across the river in New Jersey? Several of them have Israeli military backgrounds. Found in Israel, they were less than eager to provide details about how they happened to be where they were to have such a ring-side seat for the attacks, why they were laughing and dancing atop the car or why they were even here in the first place. As Desi Arnaz might say..."they got some 'splainin' to do." Of course, by my QUESTIONING Israel's actions and motives, you can expect at least one of their apologists to trot out the tired "anti-Semitic" drivel.
However, America does need to re-examine the relationship we have with Israel. We are not their client state and we do suffer the consequences of their actions. Be especially mindful over the next few months how Israel tries to convince the US to attack Iran over the nuclear situation since an Israeli attack alone on Iran would have terrible consequences for them.
Once again, the Israeli lobby in America puts the needs of Israel over the best interests of the United States in the Middle East. Israel is a friend, no doubt. However, even friends need to be told "no" when it is NOT in our best interests long-term.