The Pro-Israel Label

From 5 Myths About Being 'Pro-Israel' by Jeremy Ben-Ami:

Some purported keepers of that flame claim that supporting Israel means reflexively supporting every Israeli action and implacably opposing every Israeli foe -- adopting the talking points of neoconservatives and the most right-wing elements of the American Jewish and Christian Zionist communities. Criticize or question Israeli behavior and you're labeled "anti-Israel," or worse. But unquestioning encouragement for short-sighted Israeli policies such as expanding Jewish settlements in the West Bank isn't real friendship. (Would a true friend not only let you drive home drunk but offer you their Porsche and a shot of tequila for the road?) Israel needs real friends, not enablers. And forging a healthy friendship with Israel requires bursting some myths about what it means to be pro-Israel.

Israel needs U.S. help to maintain its military edge over its foes, but it also needs the United States to contain Arab-Israeli crises and broker peace. Israel's existing peace pacts owe much to Washington's ability to bridge the mistrust among parties in the Middle East. So when the United States abandons the role of effective broker and acts only as Israel's amen choir, as it has throughout Bush's tenure, the United States dims Israel's prospects of winning security through diplomacy. The best gift that Israel's friends here could give this gallant, embattled democracy on its milestone birthday would be returning the United States to its leading role in active diplomacy to end the conflicts in the Middle East -- and help a secure, thriving Israel find a permanent, accepted home among the community of nations.

I agree with much of what Mr. Ben-Ami has written in this article. Of course the name calling is not limited to Israel. If you protest against war you are labeled as unpatriotic, if you want to talk about race you are racist, if you have any sympathy toward Palestine you are an anti-semite, if you favor diversity you are anti-Christmas. God and country get too many free passes. Dissent is healthy. Dissent needs to be listened to. It should not be dismissed with such a trivial pursuit as name calling.

This statement, however, troubles me: “Israel needs U.S. help to maintain its military edge over its foes, but it also needs the United States to contain Arab-Israeli crises and broker peace.” War is not peace. Violence begets more violence. Out of all the places on earth Israel teaches us these truths more than any other place.