What are we actually getting back for our support (often unconditional support) for Israel? I mean other than the anger of the Arabs.

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"I think the deregulation was probably helpful to the growth of our economy."
-Sen. John McCain 09/22/2008

Is it always about what we get back?
They are one of the few democracies in the region, a major check on other regional powers (mostly Iran). We supported them from the beginning and it would be rather ruthless to stop cold turkey now.
And the people who want to destroy them, while some have semi-rational reasons, advocate doing so in ways that disregard international harmony and will kill many civilians.

Sure, Israel's not perfect... and I think we need to call them out more when their own behavior is contributing to disharmony (quit building settlements for crying out loud!).
But to say that we should just cut them loose is putting global security at risk, and for any perceived gains in reputation among Middle Eastern countries- we'll also show that we are not to be trusted (how much would you bet the terrorist-types would jump straight to that?) when it comes down to it.

Now I do think that we, for varying degrees from semi-pragmatic to surreal, give Israel a bit of a blank check... and that needs to stop. But come on. They are our ally. The attacks on them are often unjust and always without regard for civilian life.
It's not about what we get. It's just right... if America is to be believed a force for good and stability in the world.

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That information is classified and to be given only on a need-to-know basis...

And I do not need to know.

We get a Military,Economic and Ideological Ally. An Ally in the most important strategic regions in the world.

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"True Freedom is the Freedom to oppress others"

Ideology: Self Preservation.

Yes we get a military ally.
No, we don't get an economic ally, Israel is a drain on our foreign aid budget
What ideology would that be?

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"I think the deregulation was probably helpful to the growth of our economy."
-Sen. John McCain 09/22/2008

Which Israel do they want to destroy? The Israel of 1948, the Israel of the 1967 border or the "greater Israel" of the Zionists?

__________________
"I think the deregulation was probably helpful to the growth of our economy."
-Sen. John McCain 09/22/2008

We get to share in the data they accumulate after using things like uranium-enriched phosphorus and DIME weapons in areas with a high concentration of civilians. As an added bonus, their obsessive spying on us helps keep our domestic counter-espionage personell on their toes.

No it's not and it should not be, but IMO it should not hurt us neither. And there is clear evidence that our support of Israel has hurt us in the ME.

__________________
"I think the deregulation was probably helpful to the growth of our economy."
-Sen. John McCain 09/22/2008

Depends. The more reasonable would like a two-state solution.
Others want the whole thing gone.
Take a guess which group produces more terrorists.

The hardliners in Israel do make the two-state solution harder... and for purely political stupid reasons.
But their counterparts on the Palestinian side (the ones who do not favor the two-state solution) are directly killing civilians and giving Israelis more reason to be paranoid.

Both are a problem... but the terrorists are worse than the hardliners (though their counterproductivity feeds off each).

__________________
That information is classified and to be given only on a need-to-know basis...

And I do not need to know.

Yes, on both the American and the Israeli side. However, the strongest support for Israel in this country comes from religious yahoos, the rapture ready crowd.

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"I think the deregulation was probably helpful to the growth of our economy."
-Sen. John McCain 09/22/2008

The ammount we spend on Israel is dwarfed by the ammount we spend on defending our Allies in Suadia Arabia, Kuwait and other Allies in the region. Economically and technologically. we share a robust relationship both economically through trade and cultural exchange.


Democracy, Equal rights for all citizens, Freedom of speech, Freedom of religion, rule of law etc.

__________________
"True Freedom is the Freedom to oppress others"

Ideology: Self Preservation.