Thinking Strategically: Should America Support Israel?

From sympathetic supporter to military funder, the US relationship to Israel has evolved since its post-World War II inception. Over the years, Israel has received the largest amount of foreign aid from the United States, largely in the form of military assistance. Israel has been a democratic ally of the United States in the Middle East. Some see this alliance as a stabilizing influence, while others view it as the impetus for continued turbulence in the Middle East. Does America's support for Israel promote the causes of peace, justice, and democracy?

[@archyology]

One of the best debates I've seen on the topic.

[@amanderik]

Good debate. Chomsky as ever has a mastery of the facts that cuts like a razor.

[@ugp301]

Good discourse

[@jackmaguire1158]

This is one of the most serious, robust debates I’ve ever seen on this topic. Both fought well and honourably. Both are more or less inhabiting the same rational, facts-based universe-no Rudy Rochman whining about DNA tests, no Joan Peters denying that Palestinian nationality is a thing, and no Dershowitz raving about putting the wall on wheels. Ultimately though, when you get down to the facts, Chomsky is 100% right about why Oslo failed. When all the emotion and polemics and obfuscation and identitarian nonsense gets boiled down to cold, hard, rational debate, you quickly realise Israel and it’s supporters are in a totally un-winnable argument.

[@codyvandal2860]

I know this is an old comment but I just wanted to affirm everything you said and add to it that the Israel supporters (of which I was one long ago) almost by definition are *required* to be ignorant about the facts and be obfuscated because a full flowering of their details renders the Israeli position utterly indefensible.

[@lizgichora6472]

Excellent debate! Both have very important points to consider ; especially today in the present time, with equal needs. Two State Solution living side by side is most likely. Thank you Professor Noam Chomsky and Dennis Ross.

[@ChrisScutcher]

I suppose it's a lot to ask but I don't suppose anyone has done any fact checking on the big disagreements between Chomsky and the ambassador? I'd be interested to see what's on the record.

[@markl9036]

+Chris Scutcher chomsky is right about the baker plan. www.jewishvirtuallibrary.org/jsource/Peace/bakerplan.html "in accordance with the israeli initiative" which does not allow palestinian state...www.palestinefacts.org/pf_1967to1991_israel_peace_1989.php

[@longdog33]

After all these years, Chomsky’s prediction has been correct. Israel continues to incorporate the settled occupied lands into its territory.

[@buddinganarchist]

"Linguistics." wink. Twisting words.

[@chugalongway01]

I love how Noam used specifics facts to demolished Dennis Ross argument which was extremely vague and unsophisticated

[@aerohead9676]

Ross is anything but sophisticated. He isn't known as Israel's lawyer for nothing. He's a hasbarist.

[@axaeyexus]

Appeals to authority aren't "facts".

[@longdog33]

After all these years, Chomsky’s prediction has been correct. Israel continues to integrate the settlements in occupied territories into its state, the lands that Israel seems valuable, under the auspices of the USA.

[@buddinganarchist]

Dennis Ross finally didn't run away with his tail behind his legs. Noam da man.

[@mohamedaboelenein7727]

Israel chose the expansion in 67, not rejecting the peace offers after.

[@axaeyexus]

The sickening disingenuousness of Chomsky on the question of BDS is pretty laughable.

[@franciszamora9369]

of course U.S. shall support Israel no matter what. The capital of Israel is New York.