[tonycavanagh]

If America had no need for the Middle East, then maybe she might have included Israel in the Coalition, but then if America had no need for the Middle east maybe this attack would never of taken place.

The Middle East question is extremely difficult because as well as ordinary politics and the question of alliances we have religion.

America is a major player in the Middle east and wants to stay that way, if that means ignoring Israel she will.

Israel will have to in the end find her own way out of the tar baby she is attached to.

Tony

[veronica]

BTTT.

That said, Israel is no doubt playing a backstage role. When asked about that, Netanyahu just smiled.

[Goldi-Lox]

Because the Arabs' hatred of the Jews knows no bounds. They aim for genocide, and absolutely nothing will stop them from their quest. Anything touched by Jews will be destroyed. After all, they are fond of saying: "First the Saturday people, then the Sunday people."

America is made primarily of both...Saturday people = Jews; Sunday people = Christians. The sooner everyone realizes this, the sooner we can "know our enemy."

[Bassam_Abu_Sharif]

On September 11th, Palestinians cheered the destruction of thousands of American lives.

I saw Sharon on television remarking "It's good" when asked about the WTC attack. So, the Palestinians are not the only ones cheering. The abusive treatment of Palestinians at the hands of Israel has fanned the flames of Arab hatred and contributed to the atmosphere that spawned these terrorist atacks. Seeing as they are part of the problem, why should they be asked to help solve it? Israel only wants us to bomb their enemies, after which they will expand their borders...again.

[Illbay]

...the country that is not only our truest ally but also the best at fighting terrorism.

I agree that it is dumb not to have Israel in on this, but the statement that Israel is "our truest ally" is so stupid as to border on the comic.

Ask the sailors on the USS Liberty about our true-blue ally Israel. Ask those who were compromised--and some apparently killed or imprisoned--because of the antics of Jonathan Pollard who is STILL a "hero" to Israelis and American Jews with questionable loyalties.

We ought to use Israel as Israel uses us. But let's dispense with this silliness about their "trueness" as an ally. It insults our intelligence.

[Sparky760]

Israel is almost undoubtedly supplying us with intelligence. On the surface they may not be helping us but rest assured behind the scenes they are. In the end I think you will see them involved militarily as well. They may not have a choice depending on how this all pans out.

[ThreeOfSeven]

Israel can't be 100% "with us" in this coalition against terrorism because Israel, itself, remains a belligerently expansionist sponsor of anti-Arab terrorism. They've maintained a hostile and rapacious occupation for the last 34 years --- Israeli soldiers and settlers empowered to commit crimes and atrocities against Palestinians with impunity. So, it would hinder President Bush's coalition building efforts with Arab and Muslim states to have Israel (with it's bad reputation) more involved.

[gohabsgo]

Israel needs to explain a few things. For instance, why have they never explained their habit of spying on the US, I thought we were ALLIES. Don't allies trust each other? All one has to do is look at the Jonathan Pollard situation. Israel creates the distinct impression amongst Americans and the world that Israel has more influence than the US. Don't get me wrong, I know we have made our bed and Israel is our top MIddle East ally. And I am completely in favor of a total annihilation of the assholes who did this act and an end to any future threats, but who gained the most from this crisis?

[Terriergal]

How do we know that the other Arab countries are actually going to be "with us" even if we say Israel is not part of the coalition? This is stupid. For the slim hope of getting the help of the Arab countries (yeah right) we are going to tell the world we aren't really supporting Israel... Very two-faced to me.

[neutrino]

It does America no good to have a will for war if we do not have the will to identify honestly our real friends and enemies.

Good article! Americans want to believe that everyone is, fundamentally, good. That is simply not the case - there are some who are, deep down, bad. And when we recognize that basic truth, we'll do the right thing regarding Israel - and our shared enemies who spawn terrorist murderers.

[BnBlFlag]

"Israel is our closest ally". While I agree Israel is one our closest allies. our closest ally is Great Britain. Allways has ans allways will.