Israel and the Cease-Fire

[gulliver]

3. U.S. and Israeli interests are not identical, but the overlap is ridiculously huge.

I don't think some of us appreciate the huge cultural and philosophical overlap the United States and Israel share. Israel is a multiracial, multicultural, multi-religious democracy. It is surrounded by a plethora of politically organized regions and countries, most of which can be accurately described as highly misogynist, murderously homophobic, and oppressively religiously intolerant.

Israel, on the other hand, is a, culturally and politically, liberal and progressive oasis. As authentic liberals and progressives, we need far more Israel-like countries and governments in the world, not less. We don't have to agree with everything Israel does or some of its people do, of course. But, it should be obvious to even the most casual observer that Israel is an excellent country with excellent people of all races, creeds, and ethnicities.

There may be a few liberals and progressives who don't see this point of view. I would ask them to think very hard and reconsider, if so. Who is telling you Israel is so bad (if someone is)? Are they racist against any race? Are they ridiculously patriarchal and dismissive of the rights of women? Are they intolerant of other religions? Are they violently anti-gay? If they are, my advice is simple: Dump them and oppose them. They are enemies of liberalism and progressivism. Free yourself from their bad company.