Stars & Stripes or the Star of David?: US-Israeli Connections in Iraq

[DuctapeFatwa]

By opting for unprovoked aggression against Israel’s enemies, the US is embarking on a project beyond imperialism, and moving toward world war and Armageddon.1 – Ronald Bleier, Demographic, Environmental and Security Issues Project

The Americans promised freedom and prosperity; what’s this? Go up to one of their headquarters, at one of those checkpoints were they point their guns at you, and tell them that you hate them as much as Saddam, and see what they do to you. The only difference is that Saddam would kill you in private, where the Americans will kill you in public.2 – Mohammad Saleh, an Iraqi Building Contractor

In many ways, 2003 could be considered one of the most catastrophic years in the history of the Muslim world. The US occupation of Iraq that began that year and that followed a decade-long process involving the destruction and deconstruction of Iraq ...US leaders and decision-makers not only openly discussed redrawing the map of the region, but also the deconstruction and recreation of the Muslim psyche...The neoconservatives in the US and their Israeli counterparts not only have a common agenda, but in recent months have also adopted common practices...The strategic links between the US and Israel and their role in the war on Iraq are not simply the product of bankrupt conspiracy theorists or passive apologetics...

Israel has always hoped to tap into Iraq’s massive oil reserves. One has to note that even before the occupation of Iraq there were multiple US efforts to bring Iraqi oil to Israel. Under a 1975 Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), the US guaranteed all Israel’s oil needs in the event of a crisis..The religious establishments of the Muslim world became state-owned enterprises, propagating defeatism and apathy.....US troops may find themselves leaving Iraq the same way they did Saigon – “hanging on the strings of helicopters.”19

http://www.islamonline.net/English/Views/2004/01/article04.shtml

[GreyV]

1. Israel, the silent partner...

Or, not so silent.

I used to chat with a few somewhat militant and quite ideologically extreme Israelis. On a regular basis. Well "chat" might not be the word to describe what went on. By the way, I mean Israelis from Israel. The sick ideology they spout is frightening.


You wouldn't believe the stuff that comes out the Israel, both from civilian and military officials. I think what did it for me was back in January 2002 or it could be December 2001. It was around the time that whole Israel-China J10 jet fighter scandal broke out. Anyways, some high ranking Israeli military official went on about how Israel would strike (nuke?) most of Europe if they got involved in any way in any potential Arab-Israeli conflict. This was completely unreported here in the US (that "liberal" media!), although European media was different story altogether. People wonder why Europeans have low opinion of Israel. If someone threatened to strike (nuke?) me and mine, I would too.

[solinvictus]

2. Iraq

All we're doing in Iraq is acting as an Israeli client state in fighting a war Sharon wanted. As long as we keep treating Israel as a 51st state, there will be no hope for peace in the region.

[formactv]

3. Gives a new meaning to Jewish State

[tinanator]

4. thats it in a nutshell

Beware the candidates who will continue the tradition.

[Muddleoftheroad]

5. Nutshell is right

Any candidates who turn their backs on our only true ally in the Mideast -- Israel -- are nuts.

[tinanator]

11. with friends like that

we will always have enemies. Do you miss South African Apartheid?
God knows they were Israel's best buddies. Disgusting.

[Muddleoftheroad]

14. We will always have enemies

No matter what we do. I prefer friends who are both democratic and loyal.

Yes, I remember all about apartheid. I'm sure it's a system that would be in place in the Arab world with Jews at the bottom IF the Arab world hadn't already ethnically cleansed all their Jews.

[thebigidea]

13. we must never turn our backs on the beauty that is the Peace Fence

Little Israel will ALWAYS have Big Friend in the USA, especially with a man of peace like Ariel "Cuddles" Sharon at the helm!

[Muddleoftheroad]

15. I hope you are right

But just in case, we keep fighting to ensure that Israel DOES have a friend in the U.S.

[thebigidea]

18. we must keep fighting until every Arab learns the true meaning of peace!

the Peace Fence is the first step... Peaceful Tranfer is the Peace Solution to the Peace Problem. Hurray for fighting for Peace!

[Muddleoftheroad]

6. Of course

Those pesky Jews run Hollywood AND the U.S. Congress and presidency.

[Muddleoftheroad]

7. Or, it could be

That Israel never threatened any such thing. Gee, maybe Europeans just have a bad attitude toward Jews? Maybe 2,000 years of persecution of Jews that includes pogrom, Inquisition, murder and Holocaust might be a better indicator.

[Name removed]

8. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[Muddleoftheroad]

9. Reading

As I said, "2,000 years of persecution of Jews that includes pogrom, Inquisition, murder and Holocaust." You should read it again. That obviously slipped past you.

I like the knight in shining armor idea, but I spell it without the "u" thank you very much.

I only dig at old Europe because it deserves it.

[Nihil]

10. OK

I have just read it again:

> Gee, maybe Europeans just have a bad attitude toward Jews? Maybe
> 2,000 years of persecution of Jews that includes pogrom, Inquisition,
> murder and Holocaust might be a better indicator.

I thought the "Maybe 2,000 years..." sentence had something to do
with the preceding "Europeans" sentence (i.e., the one immediately
before it). My mistake.

> I only dig at old Europe because it deserves it.

Please bear your own comment in mind when people dig at Israel.

Nihil

[Muddleoftheroad]

12. More on reading

You keep missing that INCLUDES word. Yes, the sentence did link to the previous one, but the Holocaust did not last 2,000 years, nor did I say so.

And the next time Israel spends 2,000 years tormenting, raping, murdering, exterminating and ethnically cleanings Europeans, then I will understand your last statement.

[thebigidea]

16. its so painful to see someone not grasp the obvious

can't you see? Can't you step outside your mindset for a fraction of a second and see the hypocracy here?

Don't worry, seeing another side of the issue won't cause Israel to fall off the map. It'll do just fine without your relentless internet defense.

[Muddleoftheroad]

17. I see the obvious

I see an entire region that has rid itself of its Jews except for one small nation. I see that one small nation as both a democracy and the most diverse state in the region where both Jews and Arabs can vote or run for office.

[thebigidea]

21. just as an experiment, put yourself in the mindset of the "enemy"

I know, I know, your staunch morals and compassion for humanity will never allow you to do that, not even for a second... but still - just try and see how the situation looks from the other side.

MUDDLE: "No! Never! I can never erase the knowledge of 2000 years of..."

yeah, I guess you're right. Never mind. You win. Little Israel is never wrong, the entire WORLD is wrong!

[DuctapeFatwa]

20. I think the question presented in this article, and the reason I posted it

is not whether the Holocaust was a bad thing. It certainly was.

But the question I am interested in is whether the US-Israel alliance as it exists today is beneficial to ordinary Americans and ordinary Israelis.

And if it is possible, I would like it to be discussed here, as opposed to the I/P program because the question has to do with the United States and its policy toward Israel, and the effects on the ordinary citizens of both countries.

[earthman dave]

19. Don't you worry

We'll nuke those filthy european anti-semites soon enough

[Moderator]

22. Locking

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