Why would they fight for Israel?

Submitted by sara (United States), Mar 13, 2012 at 20:55

Lars,

First, I am not so sure that we can jump to the conclusion that the new arab govts will be any more successful in 'satisfying' their people and becoming more effective. We all have democracies and our elected govts have a hard time with this under the best of circumstances. The irony of a free democracy is that there are so many fractioned opinions as to prevent much progress. Everyone gets heard but not much gets done.

Second, we have seen the scenarios before, it's an old movie. The new revolutionaries come in and quickly become the old corrupt establishment. In this case, there is the added bonus of implementation of Islamic law and customs. It may seem to us that the masses want this, but I think in practice it becomes just another form of control and oppression. I don't think that those who are old enough to remember Gaza prior to 1993 have a very favorable view of what life is like there today under Hamas, and likely long for the more secular days.

I think you are mistaken if you think that the new govts will be doing much of anything to please their people.

So, we have a completely different premise, as I do not envision any kind of scenario where a united Islamic front will be continuously attacking Israel. The factions within just the PA are numerous. The inherently tribal/clan culture precludes any true union or agreement from forming, This is both very good and very bad. It is very good because they can never agree enough on anything to successfully implement anything meaningful, and their petty hatreds and rivalries keep them at bay ( only Israel hatred trumps this and unites them in theory, not in practice). It is very bad because this same disability to unite and move forward precludes any real peace or resolution from every occurring. In other words, it's an ungodly mess.

Lastly, I see no corollary between S. Korea and Israel. There are no military bases or personnel based in Israel and she has a very different relationship than SK. You might be tempted to think that Israel is an extension of the US, and they are indeed in terms of democracy and western civilization, but it stops there. Israel has her own security issues and will operate in whatever way is necessary for the preservation of her citizens.They are not a political pawn.

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