Every time I turn on the news lately I see headlines that are starting to heavily unnerve me. "Israel has offended United States envoy." "Plans for Israel's building in Jerusalem are stalling Mideast peace efforts." "Israel-America relations are at an all time low." These headlines make me nervous, but not because I think it's an intelligent strategy to run a country as dictated to you by American politicians. In fact, quite the opposite. I fear that Israel continuously does exactly that, much to its detriment, and one day taking the wrong piece of advice might have catastrophic results (again?).
But I digress.
What is the United States of America? Where does this country get the notion that if it flexes its muscles at their "little brother" Israel that Israel should lower its head, apologize, and do as its told? Where does America get this idea that its opinion is always correct and morally superior?
In my view, there are three flaws in America's outlook, which could ultimately harm Israel, it's greatest ally:
1. America is invincible.
Since I was a little kid I was brought up to think the United States was untouchable. Because of its exalted status as the most powerful nation in the universe, America feels offended if anyone does not consider its demands as immediately binding.
But is America invincible? Is America untouchable?
Let's see. It couldn't conquer Vietnam. It's still trapped in wars against two definitely non-superpowers. America threatens sanctions, other nations giggle. And America mindlessly searches for the mastermind behind the first ever major attack against the mainland states.
Remember that in 1967 teeny little under-equipped Israel brought four countries (including Iraq!) to their knees in just six days without the assistance of any other nation. Why it should bow to the might of America, its overbearing big brother, when other countries feel no fear, I'll never understand.
But it just might...
2. America is the epitome of moral superiority.
I've never really understood this one. True, America has the most purely moralistic code. The notion that all men are created equal is truly a beautiful one. But America's history just seems like it is slowly inching toward that ideal, without ever actually accomplishing it.
Since those profound words have been formulated, America enslaved people for generations followed by robbing former slaves of their civil rights. America remains to date the only nation in the world to ever drop an atomic bomb on human beings, and has had minimal variety amongst its leaders.
America pats itself on the back for electing an African-American as its president. How about a non-protestant? Or a woman? Or an anarchist? Or, golly gee, a non-politician? These, in my mind (and in the mind of any thinking non-racist) are far greater differences than skin color.
Where does America get this arrogance from? Where does it get this mistaken belief that it represents the epicenter of world morality? I've lived in both America and Israel and I'm baffled that anybody in Israel even listens for a moment when America tries to explain how Israel should or should not behave.
3. America really understands the way the world functions.
Does America have a firm grasp on the Middle Eastern mentality? Does America fully get the nuances of the relationship and history between Israel and its neighbors?
I will not mince words: NO.
There are some differences between a western mind and a middle eastern mind that I don't think will or can ever be understood by the average American. When these misunderstandings lead to dictation of foreign policy, disaster is inevitable.
If an unskilled and untrained person were in the wild, he would not know what to do in the face of danger. Some animals you should run from, or seek high ground. Some you should run from in a specific manner. And there are other animals where the best course is to stay still. Lack of knowledge could result in your demise.
The same is true with the world. If all problems are approached in the same manner seeking the same results, you will have some successes, but should get used to lots of disappointment as well.
"Israel has offended United States envoy."- Israel is trying its best to survive. If you get offended, deal with it.
"Plans for Israel's building in Jerusalem are stalling Mideast peace efforts."- Israel continues to attempt to be a sovereign nation. Sovereign nations are allowed to build in their capitols. Mideast peace efforts have never seen results and people are plotting daily to destroy Israel. Is it really fair to say developing Israel's capitol is what's preventing peace? Sure. It has absolutely nothing to do with using Mickey Mouse cartoons to train children to be suicide bombers...
"Israel-America relations are at an all time low."- America: Get over it. You're just the overbearing older brother who pouts when he doesn't get his own way. That doesn't mean you're right.
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