Americas Support Of Israel Is Wrong

The Palestinian and Israeli Conflict In The Middle East
Why The United States Should Not Support Israel

A blind Palestinian man is led to the wall of his home, his wife in tears just 10 feet away. He is told to stand still while his body is blown to pieces by an American tank missile. Saleem Alrozo, a Palestinian refugee whom I interviewed during my research of this subject, told this story to me. “ When I imagine him standing in front of his house, unable to see, just waiting until finally he feels a tank missile destroy his body, that makes me so sorry.” Stories like this are an everyday occurrence in Palestine, which has been occupied by Israel for almost a century. Israeli forces have killed, beaten and slaughtered thousands of Palestinians during its existence and it has done this with weapons made and sold from the U.S.A.. Every time we pay our taxes, we are supporting the slaughter of Palestinian people. Almost 20% of all foreign aid from the U.S. is given to Israel and of the 20%, 80% goes toward the purchase of arms which are supplied by the U.S. as well [Institution For Southern Studies, pg 1]. The following paper will examine what the situation between Israel, Palestine, and the U.S.A. is, the history of the conflict and why the U.S. must stop giving military and financial aid to the Israeli government. In order to understand this conflict, it is important to understand the history behind it and from the information above you will better understand the following arguments. Tyler, 2 World War One was a time of great change in the Middle East. During the end of the war, the Ottoman Empire fell to European powers and the Middle Eastern territories were divided into zones of influence and were mandated between France and Britain. Lebanon and Syria were mandated to France while today’s Israel, Jordan, and the West Bank fell under British control. Because of the great dispossession of Jewish people during the war, there was a dramatic Zionist movement that developed in Europe, in which the Jewish people pushed for the creation and migration to a Jewish homeland. Although Britain had sought the support of the Arabs and supported their independence prior to the end of the war, in the end, Britain would turn their backs on their Arab allies and support the Zionist movement instead. Most Jews felt entailed to Palestine because of the beliefs that this land had been promised to them by God as a refuge from persecution and anti-Semitism. Viewing God as some sort of cosmic real estate agent, they claim that it is their right to return to the Promised Land regardless of the already existing Arab population. In 1917, Britain promised to assist the Jews in establishing a national homeland in what is known as the Balfour Declaration. At the time, there were around half a million Palestinians living in the Palestine area. Around 5% were Jews and 95% were Muslims. Mass immigration started to Palestine during the beginning of the 18th century and several violent clashes occurred between some Palestinians and the new Jewish immigrants. During the 1920’s and 30’s Jews began to form groups to fight for an independent Jewish country. Tyler, 3 The power of the Jews gradually increased as did Palestinian resistance which eventually erupted into open rebellion in 1935 when Palestinians attacked British forces which resulted in Palestine being split into three zones: an Arab zone, a Jewish zone, and a neutral zone. During and after World War Two, the influx of Zionist Jews increased drastically because of the slaughtering and persecution of Jews throughout Germany and the rest of Europe. In 1948 the British mandate of Palestine ended and a new Jewish country known as Israel was formed almost instantly. Within hours Arab countries sent support forces to attack Israel but were not successful and Israel claimed 77% of Palestinian territory as part of the new Jewish country. This would only increase the problems to be faced by the Jews and the issues of provision of education, housing, employment and welfare for the incoming Jews became a very difficult challenge [Metz, pg. 2]. The creation of Israel displaced around 725,000 Palestinians, which were prosecuted and cast out from their homeland. A year later the UN voted to accept Israel as a member. Arab heads of state established the Palestinian Liberation Organization (PLO) in the effort to liberate Palestine from the Israeli government. However, tension remained high, war erupted in 1967 between Arab countries such as Egypt, Jordan, and Syria, and Israel in which East Jerusalem, the West Bank, The Golan Heights, The Gaza Strip and the Sinai Peninsula were occupied by Israel. This meant another 335,000 people became displaced and another 800,000 Palestinian Arabs being added to Israel’s population, just one example of the injustice of the Israeli occupation [Metz, pg.2]. Tyler, 4 There was also conflict between the PLO, Lebanon and Jordan that occurred during the 1960’s and 70’s, resulting in the loss of Egypt as an ally for the PLO and the establishment, and demolishment of a PLO base in Lebanon. Ten years after the base was established, Israel launched “Operation Peace For Galilee.” a full-scale attack on Lebanon, displacing thousands of refugees (again) and massacring more than 1,000 Palestinian citizens in Sabra and Chatila refugee camps in Beirut. Almost the entire military weaponry and financial support of this attack was funded by the U.S.A. which gave around 2 billion dollars each year in foreign aid to Israel during the 1980’s [Metz, pg 5]. The PLO base withdrew from Beirut and relocated to Tunis and began searching for a way to increase diplomatic relations with Israel. There would be an increase in economic activity in 1987, however, many Palestinians did not feel the benefits of this, and an Intifada, or uprising erupted in the West Bank and Gaza Strip. In reaction to the protests, the Israeli forces quickly began to enforce strict curfews and restrictions on the Palestinians, killing several citizens. Radical Islamic groups such as Hamas and Hizballa (Party Of God) were outlawed by Israel and 10-year jail sentences were set for any known members or supporters of these groups. Support for PLO officials in elections was also strongly prohibited and candidates were threatened by imprisonment. These violation of democratic values and abuse of the rights of free speech were conveniently overlooked by the greatest democratic nation in the world, the U.S., our government did nothing and continued support of Israel. Tyler, 5 The estimated cost to the to American taxpayers for the United States support of Israel to subdue the uprising was around $132 million per month [Metz. pg. 4-6]. The following year peace talks through the UN began. Five years later the Oslo Peace Accords were established in which the PLO and Israel recognized each other and established several conditions of peace such as the withdrawal of Israel from the Gaza Strip and the West Bank. During this time, hundreds of thousands of Jews were relocated to Israel from Russia and Europe, costing Israel billions of dollars, most of which came from U.S. sources. In 1996, the first ever-Palestinian elections were held in the West Bank and Gaza Strip, resulting in the election of Yassar Arafat. The peace process was slowed during this time as a result of the increased colonization of the West Bank and Gaza Strip by the Jews, the withdrawal of residency rights from many Palestinian citizens in these areas, and the closure of many roads which were needed for Palestinian workers to get to their jobs. The Palestinians gradually got poorer and the quality of the social situation of the people in Palestine decreased. With the start of a new century, years of peace talks and treaties had left Palestinians impoverished, with very few personal freedoms and lacking many of the basic human rights that we as Americans take for granted. In September of 2000, a new Intifada began after an unorthodox visit to the sacred mosque known as al-Haram al-Sharif by Israel’s soon to be Prime Minister, Ariel Sharon [eye to eye pg. 1-6]. Tyler, 6 Peace talks in the resent past have helped Palestine and Israel develop more friendly relations. However the problem is still far from over. The questions still remain of how the two countries are going to share the city of Jerusalem and how both Muslims and Jews will be allowed free worship while still respecting both people’s rights and beliefs. Our role as Americans is essential to the success of peace in this area of the Middle East. The U.S. has a crucial role in the Israeli Palestinian conflict and we as Americans have a responsibility to educate ourselves and do what is right to the best of our ability. Unless we change our policies today, history will keep repeating itself. Over 3 billion dollars in military and economic aid is given to Israel annually by the U.S. government, money we pay through our taxes and it is important that we be aware of where and who our money is going to, and what exactly they are doing with it. The U.S. has taken international criticism by standing by Israel regardless of its violations of international law or the ethical values it displays toward the Palestinians. You might think that U.S. aid to Israel would decrease as Israel gains independence and military strength but indeed this is not the case. In fact, almost the entire sum of aid given to Israel by America has been after Israel proved itself capable of defending itself against the Arab armies and capable of supporting itself. Our support for Israel is higher today than it was 25 years ago, even though Israel is the most powerful it has been in its history and it is doubtful that, if aid was cut off completely from the West, Israel would be under any more serious military threat then it is today. Tyler, 7 Each time Israel has demonstrated superior military power, the aid from the U.S. has sky rocketed. After the victory of Israel in 1967, aid was increased 450% and when the Israelis succeeded in defeating the Russian supplied armies, military aid again increased by a staggering 800%. Again aid increase after the 911 attacks on the U.S., suggesting that the stronger and more willing to share information and cooperate with the U.S. Israel is, the more aid it will receive [Zunes, pg. 1]. This clearly shows that Americas support is not merely to protect Israel militarily. There is no oil in Israel and obviously there is no moral reason to support the Israel occupation of Palestine. So why is America giving so much of its resources and military support to Israel? I never have gotten a clear answer, however I have a few ideas that may be plausible. In America’s support of Israel, it also gains the opportunity to advance its own political and strategically interests. Israel has usefully silenced many radical national movements in the Middle East, has kept Syria, an ally of Russia, under control for several years as well as having missiles that are fully capable of being aimed at Russian targets. An Israeli battlefield have also been an excellent testing ground for American arms and has provided American arms dealers with a large market which is of the biggest (along with oil) industries in the world. There have been many new arms created through the development of technology involving antiballistic defense systems and aircraft technology in co-operation with Israel. Israeli under cover agencies have provided information on various groups and in covert operations throughout the Middle East as well. Tyler, 8 The main reason the U.S. is supporting Israel would appear not to be out of concern for the Jews, but more out of a wish to remain militarily superior and politically in control. Even some of Mr. Bush’s own supporters have cautioned against supporting Israel too full heartedly, concerned that this might make relations with the rest of the Middle East more difficult. Washington seems to be willing to support even the most cruel and inhuman governments if it gains strategic power in one way or another. This does not reflect the U.S. outward policies of justice, humanity, peace and equality that its people hold to be so essential in every aspect of life. True, the Jewish people have been persecuted and treated incredibly inhumanly throughout history, but does that mean that we should support the Jews in doing the same thing? Do the persecuted have the right to persecute? Or should their pain make them more aware of the pain felt by others [Zunes, pg. 3]? Now, let’s examine some of the reasons that the U.S. has no business supporting Israel with military and financial aid. Israel continually violates international law and is illegally occupying Palestinian territory. During 1967, East Jerusalem, the West Bank, the Golan Heights, the Gaza Strip and the Sinai Peninsula were occupied by Israel illegally. In the preceding years the UN passed Resolution 242 that required Israel to withdraw its forces and influence from these areas, which had been previously taken over. The UN has condemned Israel’s refusal to give up these lands and has made it very clear that Israel is in violation of international law. However Israel alone with the U.S. has ignored the repeated requests of the UN for Israel to withdraw. Tyler, 9 This is one of the largest obstacles to peace in the Middle East and has been the cause of dozens of innocent people being slaughtered on both sides. Israel is the only country in the Middle East to have nuclear power and refused to allow international inspectors to inspect its nuclear facilities (sound familiar?). This suggests a double standard. When Iraq’s leader Saddam Hussian refused to allow international inspectors into Iraq’s military facilities, the U.S. immediately became suspicious of “possible” weapons of mass destruction, but what about Israel? Why do we never wonder about the weapons that Israel has that actually do exist? The U.S. must adopt a more just system of international relations in which each country is judged and treated equally or the violence and distrust of the Arab people will never improve [Reese, pg.1-2]. Perhaps the most fundamental reason not to support Israel militarily is that Israel has repeatedly violated international human rights laws and left a legacy of cruelty and slaughter. Should a people striving for peace and equality among all people support a country with billions and billions of dollars and supply tanks and missiles that routinely massacre, slaughter and maim innocent civilians in their homes and on their streets? Israeli soldiers frequently destroy Palestinian homes, businesses and land. American made machineguns shoot children and families dead in their homes, torture and imprisonment are common without cause or a fair trial ever taking place. Racial and religious discrimination are sewn deep in the legal system and Palestinians are constantly denied much needed food and supplies by the Israeli government. Tyler, 10 Blockades prevent Palestinian workers from going to work, causing thousands and thousands of workers to lose their jobs, which often the most menial ones to begin with. Exports are banned from Palestine and 90% of workers are forced to travel to Jewish towns to obtain employment [Reese, 2]. When you pay your taxes, your helping pay for guns that are slaughtering innocent Palestinians and without that support, the war against them would not be possible. In September 1999 alone, the U.S. dumped over 3.6 billion dollars into the Israeli military. With the money that has gone into Israel we could have built 90,000 quality public schools or restored 90,000 waterworks or bridges or several other things that would greatly benefit our country. When you hear that Israeli soldiers have seized another Palestinian town, that tanks have been rolling through another refugee camp or Israeli soldiers have shot down another Palestinian child, remember that those guns are made and paid for by our government. Jets, AK47s, F-16’s, Black Hawks, Apaches, machine guns, mines, tank missiles, grenades and bombs, all paid for with our tax dollars, are being used to support a government that uses terror to silence its opponents and crush innocent Palestinian men, women and children in order for them to gain land, power and resources. Even if Palestinians have shown aggression (rightfully so), the responsibility lies on the shoulders of the stronger power. I remember watching boys on television throwing rocks at soldiers with bulletproof shields and AK47s and thinking, who is to blame here? Sure the kids are aggressors, but does that give the soldiers the right to fill their bodies with lead and beat them to death with batons? Tyler, 11 Who has the moral responsibility here? It was clear watching those kids, seeing the rocks against bullets, more then one hundred Palestinians dead and a mere 5 Israelis, this is a completely unequal battle [Watson, pg. 2]. During the infadah in the 1990’s there was a reported 878 Palestinian deaths, 30 more being shot by Israeli soldiers during the first three months of 1990. Even some soldiers in the Israeli armed forces found the activities taking place uncomfortable and cruel, especially when ordered to slaughter young children and women and elderly. Restrictions and punishments have been placed on various parts of territories that Israel has occupied. Some of these include the outlawing of unions for professional lawyers, doctors, etc., the closing of universities and schools for months at a time which included imprisonment for any in home instruction given to students, curfews lasting for days at a time occasionally forcing people to stay in their homes all together, electrical, water, communication and other services being cut. During 1989, “at least 244 houses had been destroyed, beatings and shootings had resulted in 795 deaths and more then 44,00 injuries by the end of 1989. Approximately 48,00 Palestinians had been arrested and imprisoned since the uprising began…. detention without charge…up to 12 months at a time…imposed on 7,900 Palestinians” according to an article written by Helen Metz. These un humanitarian activities that violate international law must be taken into account when considering the support we are giving to Israel and we must reflect on whether or not the motive for doing so is truly a noble or just one [Watson, pg. 5]. Tyler, 12 We must also consider our international image. Our support of Israel not only diminishes our image as a people and puts in question the credibility of our government; it also incites resentment throughout the Arab world. The human rights abuses and questionable honesty in its dealings in the Middle East creates an undercurrent of resentment and anger in the Muslim community throughout the world. In my interview with Mr. Alorzo, he made it more clear for me how the Muslims in the Middle East view use generally; “Mr. Bush supports terrorism.” He explains, “We view this as a holy war, not just an attack on Palestine, but an attack on Muslims and our way of life. This is a holey area, it is the land of rebirth and of the Night Journey of Mohammad, if Israel wants peace, they will have to live under an Islamic government.” Although I do not believe that would be the best way to achieve peace in the Middle East, I realized how deeply imbedded religion is in the conflict and how much more is needed to solve it then weapons. When I asked Mr. Alzoro what exactly Palestine wanted he replied, “We want the U.S.A. to use justice and fairness and to deal with us in the same way that they do Israel…till now they have only cared about the benefits of Israel and not the Arabs”. The U.S.’s actions in the Middle East can easily provoke more tragedies like that of September 11th. If we continue to support Israel the anti-American sentiments in Arab counties will only grow. By building a reputation of honesty and fairness in it’s dealing with the Middle East and Muslim communities, our country can best prevent terrorism in the world and encourage global stability. Tyler, 13 Shouldn’t the safety and welfare of the American people be the first priority of the U.S.? By supporting Israel we are only encouraging the formation of groups like Al Quieda and the Taliban. Last of all, I would like to point out that America’s military aid to Israel violates international law, which the U.S. expects other countries to obey. Americas Arms Export Control Act (AECA) strictly forbids any participating government from assisting another country militarily if that country has not obeyed the international human rights laws. The U.S. state department has clearly stated, “Israeli security units often used excessive force against Palestinian demonstrators including live fire…. impeded the prevision of medical assistance to Palestinian civilians by their strict enforcement of internal closures, which reportedly contributed to at least 32 deaths. Israeli security forces harassed and abused Palestinian pedestrians and drivers who were attempting to pass through the more then 130 Israeli controlled check points…” It doesn’t sound as though Israel is respecting the international human rights laws to me [Website, pg1-2]. The U.S. is fully aware of Israel’s violations but chooses to turn a blind eye, which completely destroys the U.S.’s credibility in the world and undermines everything that this country has worked and stood for during existence In conclusion, the U.S. supporting Israel is based on security and political interests. It is time that we stop considering politics, and start thinking about what is right. Tyler, 14 By continuing to arm Israel without taking notice of its faults our country is killing thousands of innocent people, and creating an environment for terror to continue in the Middle East. We may be able to overlook the truth, but the rest of the world is watching us and as a beacon for democracy and freedom, we have a moral duty to do what is right and set an example for the rest of the world to follow. If we wish to gain the respect of the Arab world and stop terrorism, we can start at home. Not only is this costing us money and resources that could be better spent at home, it is also costing human lives. We must take a look at the amount of arms sales our country promotes and ask ourselves if it is truly benefiting the world to dump machine guns and tanks into areas of conflict. The U.S. could start by using the influence its aid to Israel has created to strongly encourage a peace agreement between Palestine and Israel and to force Israel to reconsider its treatment of the Palestinian people. Steps toward the end of the occupation must be started and an unwavering commitment to peace must be established. With the full support of the U.S. toward peace instead of war, Israel and Palestine have hope of living in harmony together.

Work Cited
1.) Alrozo, Saleem, “Interview” 5/22/03 2.)
“Eye To Eye”, Palestinian History: a chronology http://193.129.255.93/eyetoeye.teachers/guidance/chron_right.html 3.)
“History Of Israel And Palestine” http://masada2000.org
Institution For Southern Studies, “United States Aid To Israel Fact Sheet” www.palestinianmonitor.org
Jensen, Robert, “United States Aid To Israel” www.palestinianmonitor.org
Metz, Helen “Israel’ May 2, 1990 http://lcweb2.loc.gov/cgi-bin/query/r?frd/cstdy:@field(DOCID+il0011)
Reese, Charley “United States Aid To Israel”, October 10, 2001 www.palestinian monitor.org Tyler, 16 Work Cited Continued
The Current Crises In Israel And The Palestine Territories” http://193.129.255.93/eyetoeye/explore/crisis_begin.html
Watson, Gray “Thoughts, Israel vs. Palestine” May 5, 1999 http://256/gray/thoughts/2000/20001017
Website, “5 Reasons To Stop U.S. Military Aid To Israel” January, 14, 2003 www.palestinemonitor.org
Zunes, Stephen “Why The U.S. Supports Israel’, June 1, 2002 http://boycottisrael.org_zunes.htm