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Today's Poll: Should the U.S. stand with Israel in conflict with Hamas?

By Howard B. Owens
Doug Yeomans

I voted yes, but I think Israel can handle this one. I'm tired of the U.S. being the world's police force and having to foot the bill, especially when all it does is get mud thrown in our face.

Nov 19, 2012, 8:50am Permalink
C. M. Barons

The unresolved conflict between Israel and Palestine has fostered more than enough violence, death and destruction. It remains lightning rod and tinderbox of all the ugly religious feuds that dragged on through the 20th Century. Instead of acting as seconds for the duelists, coerce them into burying the hatchet- not in each others' skulls. Ending international terrorism demands following its vine back to the root in the Levant.

Nov 19, 2012, 2:27pm Permalink
Gary Spencer

as long as the U.S isn't putting "boots on the ground" I think we need to stand with Israel.
I agree with Doug, we've been the world police force for far to long, and Israel can handle themselves with this one. However, "There's only one thing that works with them." hasn't wored to well, but it does seem to be true!

Nov 19, 2012, 3:21pm Permalink
Jeff Allen

When one side (Israel) wants the Palestinians to simply honor the borders they have been granted, and the other side (Hamas) wants all Jews exterminated from the face of the Earth, where is the starting point for negotiations?

Nov 19, 2012, 5:54pm Permalink
Bob Harker

Doug, Israel is our one true ally in the region. This administration continues to insult, undermine, and isolate them putting them at great risk of such attacks. Iran knows that we have no backbone and that Israel will be on its own in attacking nuclear facilities. I think this may be a diversionary tactic underwritten by them.

Nov 19, 2012, 5:58pm Permalink
Lincoln DeCoursey

Beyond assisting with the cash for the additional required Iron Dome batteries, the main way that we can stand by Israel right now is by reinforcing its right to self defense, and by not pressuring it into making any suicidal concessions at the negotiation table.

Hamas purports that the rocket fire is in response to some oppressive occupation, but the truth is that when Israel pulled out of the Gaza Strip in 2005, Gaza enjoyed relatively open borders, reasonable access to work passes, and even had a roadmap to statehood. Instead of taking that and moving forward with it, Gaza replaced its moderate government by electing jihadists, and has done nothing since besides continually trying to destroy Israel.

Now Hamas wants us to believe that the rocket fire will cease if only the blockade is lifted. Yeah right. It's just not Hamas' nature. Their charter is to destroy Israel. If people in Gaza want better conditions, they need to replace Hamas with some more sensible leaders, e.g. like what's in place in the West Bank.

And if somehow it does blow up beyond an Israel-Palistinian skirmish into a war involving the various Arab states, of course we should undertake an airlift as necessary.

Nov 19, 2012, 6:51pm Permalink
John Woodworth JR

Bob, I agree. Hamas may have intentionally engaged Israel with direction from Iran. Obama has no credibility within the Arab World. Iran knows Obama is weak and will falter if, pressured by the Muslim World. The Arab League will attempt to reason with Israel and Obama, but will support a muslim agenda and Hamas. I do not want another war campaign but, we need to stand by Israel no matter what. As long as we continue to support Israel, we may keep other countries from attempting to invade Israel. I am so glad Obama support the Muslim Brotherhood (sarcasm); he has opened a door for a more aggressive stance against Israel in the Middle East. Now Egypt is supporting Hamas. Which before they would have not.

Hamas is a radical islamic group who is hell bent on the destruction of Israel. So, is Egypt, Syria, Iran, etc...... Let's just say all the muslim world would cheer for the destruction of Israel. Israel needs the USA now more than ever but, we have a President who is a liar, spineless, secretive about his agenda and who he really supports. He has turned his back on our allies and supporters. He bow to the Saudi King. He blames us for all the world’s problems. I will be amazed if, Obama truly stands behind Israel. We need to truly support Israel and their agenda to secure their nation. It amazes me that people would say “No” to supporting Israel against a threat of extermination by the muslim world. BTW, Muslims did once live side by side with Jews but, always treated the Jewish as second class citizens and slaves.
Waiting to see when the real Obama comes out.

Nov 19, 2012, 7:07pm Permalink
Doug Yeomans

Yep, they're our one true ally and I agree that Obama insults them at every turn, it seems. I think it's best to let them off their leash and allow them to settle the score once and for all. War sucks but wars in the middle east have been going on since before the first pilgrims came here to starve to death and then be saved by indigenous tribes. This country is in debt up to its eyeballs and we just can't afford to keep expending money and troops. People aren't expendable and we're out of money. It's time to come home, heal, learn, remember and live. Israel has the means to inflict 10 worlds of whoopass upon anyone that attacks them. Let them figure it out and sink or swim.

Nov 19, 2012, 7:23pm Permalink
Jack Dorf

CM, When Bill Clinton was in office, the Camp David 2000 peace talks offered Arafat 95% of what he wanted for peace and he rejected it. The Palestinians don't want peace with Israel they what them dead period. Sadly millions of people in the mid east are very close to death due to the morons that rule certain countries. The world is going to go through a lot of very difficult times before things get better.

Nov 19, 2012, 7:49pm Permalink

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