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Has support for Israel become the new GOP litmus test? [W:249]

Has support for Israel become the new GOP litmus test?


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MildSteel

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Here's something of interest

When former Secretary of State James A. Baker III accused Israel’s leader this week of undermining the chances of peace in the region, he said nothing more than the kinds of things he had said at times when he was in office a quarter-century ago.

But the instant backlash from fellow Republicans that prompted Jeb Bush, the son of Mr. Baker’s best friend, to distance himself underscored just how much their party has changed on the issue of Israel. Where past Republican leaders had their disagreements with Israel, today’s Republicans have made support for the Jewish state an inviolable litmus test for anyone aspiring to national office.
....

William Kristol has made the following boast

“Bibi would probably win the Republican nomination if it were legal,”

Has support for Israel become the new GOP litmus test?

http://www.nytimes.com/2015/03/28/us/politics/republicans-criticize-james-baker-for-speech-on-benjamin-netanyahu.html?_r=0
 
Re: Has support for Israel become the new GOP litmus test?

Here's something of interest



William Kristol has made the following boast



Has support for Israel become the new GOP litmus test?

http://www.nytimes.com/2015/03/28/us/politics/republicans-criticize-james-baker-for-speech-on-benjamin-netanyahu.html?_r=0

For quite awhile the GOP has been seen to be more reliably pro-Israel. Not that the Democratic Party is anti, but there's a reason why Netanyahu would prefer a Republican administration.
 
Re: Has support for Israel become the new GOP litmus test?

For quite awhile the GOP has been seen to be more reliably pro-Israel. Not that the Democratic Party is anti, but there's a reason why Netanyahu would prefer a Republican administration.

One reason is that the GOP hasn't seen a war that they do not like. That suits Israel's purposes well in the Middle East.
 
Re: Has support for Israel become the new GOP litmus test?

It's more of an American trait rather than a strictly Republican phenomenon. We support Israel because we hold common ideals in a strategic region in which those values are severely lacking. While not as steadfast as the right, a Democratic candidate who openly eschewed our alliance would likely face significant blowback as well.
 
Re: Has support for Israel become the new GOP litmus test?

We support Israel because we hold common ideals in a strategic region in which those values are severely lacking.

Although we may have some common values, what is more important is common interests. And it is becoming quite apparent that the interests of Israel are quickly diverging from those of the United States. No doubt about it. Therefore, Israel is becoming a net liability relative to U.S. interests rather than an asset. Republicans need to realize this. To see how this is indeed the case, note the following words of the wise statesman, James Baker.

“Although Netanyahu and his right-and-center coalition may oppose a two-state solution, a land-for-peace approach has long been supported by a substantial portion of the Israeli body politic, by every American [administration] since 1967 — Republican and Democratic alike — and a vast majority of nations around the world,”

If Israel sees its future with Netanyahu, it is becoming quite apparent that the interests of the United States are rapidly diverging from those of Israel.
 
Re: Has support for Israel become the new GOP litmus test?

Although we may have some common values, what is more important is common interests. And it is becoming quite apparent that the interests of Israel are quickly diverging from those of the United States. No doubt about it.

Such as..?

note the following words of the wise statesman, James Baker.

Oh really. I expected to see you quoting his famous "**** the Jews" line, but I guess I was wrong.

If Israel sees its future with Netanyahu, it is becoming quite apparent that the interests of the United States are rapidly diverging from those of Israel.

Yes, because Netanyahu is different than any previous Israeli PM in his foreign policies. Right.
 
Re: Has support for Israel become the new GOP litmus test?

Such as..?

Do I need to repeat it over again? Here it is, just in case you missed it

“Although Netanyahu and his right-and-center coalition may oppose a two-state solution, a land-for-peace approach has long been supported by a substantial portion of the Israeli body politic, by every American [administration] since 1967 — Republican and Democratic alike — and a vast majority of nations around the world,”
 
Re: Has support for Israel become the new GOP litmus test?

Do I need to repeat it over again? Here it is, just in case you missed it

That's not an example of an American interest.
Try again.
 
Re: Has support for Israel become the new GOP litmus test?

That's not an example of an American interest.
Try again.

Oh no!!!! A two state solution is most certainly a U.S. interest and it supports the larger U.S. interest of a stable Middle East.
 
Re: Has support for Israel become the new GOP litmus test?

Oh no!!!! A two state solution is most certainly a U.S. interest and it supports the larger U.S. interest of a stable Middle East.

No it's not a US interest.
It's something the US supports, it's not an American interest and it has nothing to do with the stability of the entire Mideast.
 
Re: Has support for Israel become the new GOP litmus test?

One reason is that the GOP hasn't seen a war that they do not like. That suits Israel's purposes well in the Middle East.


Not sure I can make sense out of the nonsense above. Has America fought in its wars. It fights as a mercenary force when Arabs are in trouble, never for Israel.

Or did you mean, a nation of about 6 million Jews which has been attacked since its inception nearly 70 years ago enjoys sending its children to die.

Since you are talking about American congressmen I presume you mean the former, which as shown is a lie. Please clarify.
 
Re: Has support for Israel become the new GOP litmus test?

It's more of an American trait rather than a strictly Republican phenomenon. We support Israel because we hold common ideals in a strategic region in which those values are severely lacking. While not as steadfast as the right, a Democratic candidate who openly eschewed our alliance would likely face significant blowback as well.



Opposing the legitimate goals of Israel for basic rules of safety from attack by it's neighbors is a de facto plank of the Democrat Party right now.

I don't understand why any Jew is still voting Democrat.
 
Re: Has support for Israel become the new GOP litmus test?

Although we may have some common values, what is more important is common interests. And it is becoming quite apparent that the interests of Israel are quickly diverging from those of the United States. No doubt about it. Therefore, Israel is becoming a net liability relative to U.S. interests rather than an asset. Republicans need to realize this. To see how this is indeed the case, note the following words of the wise statesman, James Baker.



If Israel sees its future with Netanyahu, it is becoming quite apparent that the interests of the United States are rapidly diverging from those of Israel.




The world and the attacks on Israel have changed since Baker was in a position of power.

The interests of the USA seem to revolve around being the prison rape victim of Iran.
 
Re: Has support for Israel become the new GOP litmus test?

Opposing the legitimate goals of Israel for basic rules of safety from attack by it's neighbors is a de facto plank of the Democrat Party right now.

I don't understand why any Jew is still voting Democrat.

It is hard for many to get their heads around the fact that democrats would really allow Israel to be destroyed as a Jewish state. Also for younger voters, they are now several generations removed from the parents or grandparents who are only alive because they escaped Europe. They are also too young to remember 1967 and 1973 when many felt Israel was about to be wiped out, and "driven into the sea" as the Arab armies liked to proclaim. Now they see a strong Israel which was left with the mess of the West Bank and Gaza after 1967.
 
Re: Has support for Israel become the new GOP litmus test?

Do I need to repeat it over again? Here it is, just in case you missed it

What good is it to negotiate a "Two State Solution" with a negotiating partner that has the goal of eliminating the other state?

Perhaps, instead of quoting a westerner who is a reasonable and good willed negotiator of agreements, you should quote those with whom he will need to negotiate:

Palestine Center - The Charter of the Hamas

<snip>
Hamas Charter (1988)

The Charter of Allah: The Platform of the Islamic Resistance Movement (Hamas)

<snip>
From time to time a clamoring is voiced, to hold an International Conference in search for a solution to the problem.
Some accept the idea, others reject it, for one reason or another, demanding the implementation of this or that condition, as a prerequisite for agreeing to convene the Conference or for participating in it.
But the Islamic Resistance Movement, which is aware of the [prospective] parties to this conference, and of their past and present positions towards the problems of the Muslims, does not believe that those conferences are capable of responding to demands, or of restoring rights or doing justice to the oppressed.
Those conferences are no more than a means to appoint the nonbelievers as arbitrators in the lands of Islam.
Since when did the Unbelievers do justice to the Believers?

“And the Jews will not be pleased with thee, nor will the Christians, till thou follow their creed. Say: Lo! the guidance of Allah [himself] is the Guidance. And if you should follow their desires after the knowledge which has come unto thee, then you would have from Allah no protecting friend nor helper.” Sura 2 (the Cow), verse 120

There is no solution to the Palestinian problem except by Jihad.
<snip>
 
Re: Has support for Israel become the new GOP litmus test?

Oh no!!!! A two state solution is most certainly a U.S. interest and it supports the larger U.S. interest of a stable Middle East.



Well, it is a part of the Obama plan and the rest of his plan is doing wonders so far.

What part of the Obama foreign policy is the part that tells you he has the first clue about foreign policy?
 
Re: Has support for Israel become the new GOP litmus test?

Well, it is a part of the Obama plan and the rest of his plan is doing wonders so far.

What part of the Obama foreign policy is the part that tells you he has the first clue about foreign policy?


The part working best seems to be the one to delegitimize the state of Israel. In his find a colony of European Jews.
 
Re: Has support for Israel become the new GOP litmus test?

Here's something of interest



William Kristol has made the following boast



Has support for Israel become the new GOP litmus test?

http://www.nytimes.com/2015/03/28/us/politics/republicans-criticize-james-baker-for-speech-on-benjamin-netanyahu.html?_r=0

Support for Israel in the GOP is nothing new. It's been a litmus test for decades for them. Make no mistake about it, socially conservative, dispensationalist, white evangelicals make up the biggest portion of the GOP base. These people see blind support of Israel as something literally commanded by God and that Israel will be central to the End Times which are at hand. They believe that no nation will prosper that does not blindly support the government of Israel. This verse they take to heart:

"The Lord said to Abram: Go forthfrom your land, your relatives, and from your father’s house to a land that I will show you. 2 I will make of you a great nation, and I will bless you; I will make your name great, so that you will be a blessing. 3 I will bless those who bless you and curse those who curse you. All the families of the earth will find blessing in you.

-Genesis 12:1-3

Support for Israel has been a litmus test for the GOP since the rise of the Religious Right back in the 70s.
 
Re: Has support for Israel become the new GOP litmus test?

Here's something of interest



William Kristol has made the following boast



Has support for Israel become the new GOP litmus test?

http://www.nytimes.com/2015/03/28/us/politics/republicans-criticize-james-baker-for-speech-on-benjamin-netanyahu.html?_r=0

Pastors have been telling their flocks to stand with Israel for over 50 years in the US. Its what good Christians are supposed to do.

Why Christians Should Support Israel

Christians believe that Israel is a holy country started by their god. Therefor they believe that if America turns her back on Israel its a affront on their god. The Christian Right cannot then do anything against gods country, and must protect Israel are all costs. Anything less than standing with Israel is in their view is evil.

The U.S. Should Support Israel Because God Does

"God here declares one simple, abiding truth: he will deal with the nations of the world as they deal with Israel.

A nation which stands with Israel will receive a blessing from God. A nation which stands against the Jewish people (Nazi Germany comes to mind) will rest under a curse."
 
Re: Has support for Israel become the new GOP litmus test?

It's not a litmus test. It's consistent and intelligent foreign policy. Democrats should be on board.

They are. We have one party the Republicans that to appease their fundamentalist base supports 100% of what the government of Israel does. We have another party, the Democratic party, whom the vast majority of Jews in America always vote for, supports 90% of what the government of Israel does and when they disagree 10% of the time, they are falsely accused of being antisemites. Which is like being called a racist because you disagree with something the government of Atlanta did.
 
Re: Has support for Israel become the new GOP litmus test?

For anyone over the age of 12, and who pays attention, support for Israel has always been a somewhat controversial and partisan issue. The way it's framed changes from time to time, and the players and their personalities will vary, but really deep down it's the same old news.
 
Re: Has support for Israel become the new GOP litmus test?

They are. We have one party the Republicans that to appease their fundamentalist base supports 100% of what the government of Israel does. We have another party, the Democratic party, whom the vast majority of Jews in America always vote for, supports 90% of what the government of Israel does and when they disagree 10% of the time, they are falsely accused of being antisemites. Which is like being called a racist because you disagree with something the government of Atlanta did.

I would agree with you about the rank and file. I disagree with you on the Obama administration. We could go through the litany of problems that Obama has caused with Israel but they are so obvious we should just agree and move on.
 
Re: Has support for Israel become the new GOP litmus test?

Not if you want to count Ron Paul.
 
Re: Has support for Israel become the new GOP litmus test?

No it's not a US interest.
It's something the US supports, it's not an American interest and it has nothing to do with the stability of the entire Mideast.

Wrong as two left shoes. It is indeed a U.S. interest because it does support stability in the Middle East. Why? Because Israel wants to maintain a state that is Jewish in nature, so it is not going to expand Israel to make the Palestinians part of it. For this reason, there is no way forward but a two state solution.

There will not be a stable Middle East until the Palestinian issue is resolved. There are far too many Arabs and Muslims in the Middle East who perceive that Israel's mistreatment of the Palestinians is part of a larger pattern of behavior that has been hostile to not only the Palestinians but Muslims in the Middle East by Israel and the U.S. as well. The U.S. needs to divorce itself of its past in the Middle East and cannot do so until this issue is resolved.
 
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