Simple yes or no: Do you support Israel?

[graywarrior]

I'm not sure what the majority is here at DU.

[sasha031]

1. NO

[RebelOne]

2. Another no!!!

[cool user name]

3. I support ...

people, kind people, peaceful people. Some of those are Israelis. Some are Lebanese. Do I support Israel? No. I support some Israelis. Do I support Hezbollah? No. I support some Lebanese.

[Mr_Spock]

129. I think you got the answer correct

The rest of us took the bait :rofl:

[Melody Watson]

187. Supporting neither is the only conscientious way to go

both deserve scorn for not caring about those killed in the crossfire.

Any other position is unethical, as far as I am concerned.

[thepurpose]

4. I hope I'm not the first dumbass to say this is too complicated an issue

for a simple yes or no answer.

[rucky]

11. This dumbass agrees.

but if you had a gun to my head, I'd have to say "no".

[thepurpose]

25. I feel the same, but at the same time I just don't think killing each

other is the answer to any thing.

[Posteritatis]

145. I join the proud ranks of dumbasses on this one. (nt)

[shadowknows69]

51. I'm refusing to answer for the same reason

n/t

[conflictgirl]

132. I agree with that as well

I support the Israeli people in general, but I do not believe that Israel has more of a right to exist than Palestine and consequently do not believe that all of Israel's actions are justifiable.

[babylonsister]

5. No. nt

[bigluckyfeet]

89. No!

[EFerrari]

6. If by "Israel" you mean the Israeli government, then NO.

If by "Israel" you mean the people of Israel, of course.

[Mandate My Ass]

46. Oh, you. Just stop it.

Pick a side already and call for the death and destruction of the enemy. This "reasonable" stuff is for sissies. ;-)

[TahitiNut]

61. Yeah! (Psst! Pass me another longneck, huh?)

:beer:

[EFerrari]

76. Oops.

:)

[Texasgal]

Does it matter?

I do not support either side.

[everythingsxen]

7. Yes

Hezbollah has been attacking them for years. Israel has a right to exist.

[HiFructosePronSyrup]

8. No.

And I hope the Israelis vote those bastards out of office as much as I hope we vote our bastards out of office.

[demosincebirth]

9. yes!

[demosincebirth]

18. I thought it was a simple yes of no?

[messiah]

10. no

[AliceWonderland]

12. I support human rights and international law.

I do not support war.

Anything else you'd like to know?

[Maat]

56. Exactly how I feel Alice!

Well-put. I agree wholeheartedly.

And, thus, I support the people of Israel, but not their government officials or THEIR actions.

I support the Lebannese people, but not those in Hizbollah who have committed crimes and killed.

Clear enough, I hope.

[Archae]

13. Yes.

I just saw the Lebanese Prime Minister deny, (on ABC news,) even WITH evidence that Qana is not a Hezbollah stronghold and no missiles were launched from the town.

He's kissing up to Hezbollah, obviously.

[last1standing]

14. One or the other: Black or White?

You can't choose a shade of gray or any color of the spectrum, because obviously there are only black and white.

[joemurphy]

15. That's a question that requires a nuanced answer.

Yes or no isn't adequate -- at least not for me.

[sweettater]

16. emphatically NO!

[Taxloss]

17. Sadly, things are rarely simple in the Middle East.

How do you mean, "support Israel"?

[MadAsHellNewYorker]

29. sorry...wrong place

:hi:

[breakaleg]

19. no

[graywarrior]

20. Whatever first comes to mind.

[Clarkie1]

21. Support Israel's right to exist? Israel's current military action?

What exactly are you asking?

[AnOhioan]

22. No to the Israeli gov't., yes to it's people.

[wakeme2008]

23. Hell NO nt

[magellan]

24. This question is badly worded.

I don't support flamebait.

[graywarrior]

It's just a simple question.

[Clarkie1]

34. It's not really a question, because you haven't defined your question. nt

[Donnachaidh]

40. NO to flamebait

[magellan]

50. Too simple to be answered with a simple yes or no.

You're asking for potentially inflammatory generalizations, and that's what you'll get.

What is your motive?

[Beelzebud]

90. Nothing concerning the ME is simple. Your question is meaningless.

There is no Yes or No answer.

Say yes, and you support killing children.

So no, and you support the destruction of Israel.

A true answer to this question would be nuanced. Hell, a true question would be nuanced.

There is no absolutes, so stop following Bush's lead, and pretending there is.

[AlamoDemoc]

26. I think you'll find better result by using a poll question....

by the way my answer is, NO

[Fridays Child]

27. No

[patdem]

28. I would have to say no to the simple question..the people I support

though they are supporting this war by about 90%...sorta like we did at the beginning of the Iraq war. So I support the people and hope they come to their senses..like we have!

[Beaverhausen]

30. It is hardly "simple" - you need to reword the question

[MadAsHellNewYorker]

31. as much as I support America with Iraq and Afghanistan. n/t

[brokensymmetry]

32. Yes n/t

.

[Name removed]

33. Deleted message

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

[Behind the Aegis]

95. FYI

The link you have used is a anti-Semitic site!

[USA_1]

99. the writer is a Jew

[Behind the Aegis]

100. And?

So was Roy Cohn.

[USA_1]

103. it's a free country

and he may express his political viewpoints freely

as a Democrat this is something you should approve of even if you do not accept his message

[Behind the Aegis]

105. Free country, not a free website.

Generally, racism is not tolerated here, even if the person doing the racist thing is from the group s/he is "discussing." And while, I am fine with him having a racist, anti-Semitic opinion and expressing it freely, I don't think it has a place at a Democratic site as a legitimate source.

[USA_1]

107. I accept your opinion

and his as well

that's the beauty of democracy -- we can agree to disagree

[Behind the Aegis]

108. that is fine...

...but it is NOT OK to LINK to a racist site at DU.

[USA_1]

110. We will have to stop linking to Fox!!!!!

[Behind the Aegis]

113. I don't link to Fox...

...besides, conservative and bigoted are not synomous. You won't see quotes from David Duke's site for a reason.

[USA_1]

114. I have linked to Fox

... to show its open display of Islamophobic bigotry. I am sure that many others here have also linked for that same purpose.

[Behind the Aegis]

116. That is not the same...

...as linking to a site that is Islamaphobic or anti-Arab, such as a neo-Nazi, KKK, or other racist drivel that permeates the web.

[Laotra]

166. I checked

From quick perusal the site seems anti-communist and anti-zionist, with some layers of tin foil hat. Why you call it anti-semitic escapes me, unless you subscribe to the "self-hating jew" line?

Question: considering that you say that racist sites should not be linked on DU and considering that zionism is a racist ideology with strong tendency towards terrorist tactics, should Israel governement sources not be linked to?

[Behind the Aegis]

176. Well...

First, I didn't say the author was anti-Semitic, I said the LINK was. But, Jews can be anti-Semites too! And, second, zionism isn't racist. But thank you for finally revealing that nugget!

[Laotra]

179. Of course

zionism is racist, by definition. Just like terms Caucasian, Hispanic, Afro-American etc. are racist concepts, subscribing to extremely questionable theory about human races.

And as for zionist practice of racist separation and supremacy, here's insider experience from one "anti-Semite":
http://www.socialistworker.co.uk/article.php?article_id=9309

[Behind the Aegis]

180. .

:eyes:

You really...no, it is not even worth it. I have seen your other posts.

[Laotra]

181. Thanks

Down with eurocentric universalism! Worst insult would be to be understood, according to Nietzche... ;)

[jonnyblitz]

186. it is racist. stop lying.

Zionism as a Racist Ideology
Reviving an Old Theme to Prevent Palestinian Ethnicide

By KATHLEEN and BILL CHRISTISON

<snip<
But didn't we finish with that old Zionism-is-racism issue over a decade ago, when in 1991 the UN repealed a 1975 General Assembly resolution that defined Zionism as "a form of racism or racial discrimination"? Hadn't we Americans always rejected this resolution as odious anti-Semitism, and didn't we, under the aegis of the first Bush administration, finally prevail on the rest of the world community to agree that it was not only inaccurate but downright evil to label Zionism as racist? Why bring it up again, now?

The UN General Assembly based its 1975 anti-Zionist resolution on the UN's own definition of racial discrimination, adopted in 1965. According to the International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination, racial discrimination is "any distinction, exclusion, restriction or preference based on race, colour, descent, or national or ethnic origin which has the purpose or effect of nullifying or impairing the recognition, enjoyment or exercise, on an equal footing, of human rights and fundamental freedoms in the political, economic, social, cultural or any other field of public life." As a definition of racism and racial discrimination, this statement is unassailable and, if one is honest about what Zionism is and what it signifies, the statement is an accurate definition of Zionism. But in 1975, in the political atmosphere prevailing at the time, putting forth such a definition was utterly self-defeating.

So would a formal resolution be in today's political atmosphere. But enough has changed over the last decade or more that talk about Zionism as a system that either is inherently racist or at least fosters racism is increasingly possible and increasingly necessary. Despite the vehement knee-jerk opposition to any such discussion throughout the United States, serious scholars elsewhere and serious Israelis have begun increasingly to examine Zionism critically, and there is much greater receptivity to the notion that no real peace will be forged in Palestine-Israel unless the bases of Zionism are examined and in some way altered. It is for this reason that honestly labeling Zionism as a racist political philosophy is so necessary: unless the world's, and particularly the United States', blind support for Israel as an exclusivist Jewish state is undermined, unless the blind acceptance of Zionism as a noble ideology is undermined, and unless it is recognized that Israel's drive to maintain dominion over the occupied Palestinian territories is motivated by an exclusivist, racist ideology, no one will ever gain the political strength or the political will necessary to force Israel to relinquish territory and permit establishment of a truly sovereign and independent Palestinian state in a part of Palestine.
<snip>
http://www.counterpunch.org/christison11082003.html

[bloom]

35. I sure as hell don't support what they are doing. nt

[MrSlayer]

36. Yes.

But does that mean I like everything they do? No. I certainly like them more than I like Islamic terrorists.

[DemonFighterLives]

37. No, with their current policies

Yes if they start acting like a democracy and humanitarians.

dubby thinks he is sh*tting in tall cotton right now. I like the US too, but the thieves that are running it suck to high heaven.

The real answer is: There is no good answer!

[Jeroen]

38. No

[malaise]

39. No n/t

[cynatnite]

41. sounds like a 'with us or with the terrorists' kind of question...

A flat out yes or no to a question with little detail would say I'm uninformed and ignoring the shades of gray that permeate Israel and those countries surrounding it.

If you do want a flat yes or no answer, be a little more specific with your question.

[SPKrazy]

42. yes

[titoresque]

43. NO! But.......

They're only pawns of the Illuminati/PNAC agenda, as are the Arabs, as are we.

[Hatalles]

44. Do you support the USA?

Buddy, you have to be more specific.

[Warren DeMontague]

45. Right to Exist? Yes. Right to defend itself? Yes. What it's been doing

this past week or so? No.

[NJ Democrats]

47. Absoultly YES!!!

[longship]

48. No. Unequivocally NOT.

I do not support any theocracies--anywhere.

Theocracies are just plain bad idea.

[bunkerbuster1]

49. Yes. I recognize them as a military ally

I recognize that we've supposedly got their back and vice versa.

I also recognize that we've dropped allies in the past and will do so in the future.

That's about as far as my support goes, at the moment.

[LiberalPartisan]

52. YES!! BIG TIME!!! n/t

[madokie]

53. NO

[jonnyblitz]

54. NO!!!

:puke:

[rhiannon55]

55. I don't support anyone who commits war crimes

which is what Israel is doing.

[andlor]

57. NO

[ThomWV]

58. No

[PCIntern]

59. ...and you won't wording the question like that.

My answer is YES of course, but now I have to duck...again.

[caty]

60. There is no simple answer when it comes to war.

If something is not done to get rid of the terrorists, there will be attacks all over the world at any time. It will never end. I'm wondering if Israel is trying to get rid of as many terrorists as they can to break the spirits of the rest of them. They might feel that something drastic has to be done in an all out effort to end terrorism. But, it's a double edged sword. As in any war or conflict, innocent lives are ruined and lost. And, that is wrong no matter what side of the argument you are on.
I am a pacifist. I would like to see every sanction taken against countries who encourage terrorism or protect and hide terrorists.
Why should we send our tax money or buy things from countries who are not our allies. Quietly helping and hiding terrorists is passive aggressive on these countries parts. They say they are our friends, but they are really our enemies if they support terrorists in any way. Cut off all the money we send them and let them use it to survive instead of using it to finance terrorism. And, if they use their money to help finance terrorism instead of helping their citizens---the shame is on them--not us.

[RB TexLa]

62. Yes

[tedzbear]

63. No.

Any country that drops bombs on a house that kills 30+ children and says it "isn't responsible" for their deaths is the bad guy IMHO.

[YOY]

64. In what sense?

To exist and to govern itself? Sure...so does the State of Lebanon.

To 'defend itself'? Technically, yes.

When they pull the same shit that didn't work before for them, isn't working for us now, and actually makes more terrorists? No

and I sure as fuck could actually care even less about Hezbolla

[BeHereNow]

65. More accurately, the question SHOULD be:

Do you support the neocon agenda in the ME
and Israel being used by the US as a proxy in hegemonic aggression?

My answer would be, No, the Arab world is well aware of the
fact that the US is behind all Israeli aggression in the current ME situation
and our troops in the region will be the first to suffer retaliation for it...
It is also quite possible that further military provocation by the US backed Israel
is intended to induce another 9-11 scale attack in the US which would give
the madman Cheney justification to bombard IRAN with his pre-emptive
nuclear warheads.

So quite simply, "No, I do not support Israel in dragging us into another war."

BHN

[tkmorris]

66. Anyone who expresses blanket support for ANY nation

in everything it does has lost all credibility.

Unless you define what issue it is we are talking about supporting Israel on, the question is utterly meaningless.

[Uzybone]

67. YES

a resounding yes....if by support you mean its right to exsist and defend its borders and citizens from outside aggressors.

[Fountain79]

68. Yes n/t

[GDAEx2]

69. No - just another theocracy

[Jim Sagle]

70. Fuckin' A right I do.

[Perky]

71. YES

[6000eliot]

72. No.

[6000eliot]

73. No.

[Warren Stupidity]

74. If by Israel you mean what they are doing in Lebanon: NO WAY.

Your question is anything but simple. I support Israel's right to live in peace but not its occupation of the west bank and gaza nor its policies in the occupied territories nor its illegal and grossly immoral war against Lebanon.

[Lilith Velkor]

75. Only a Sith deals in absolutes.

:thumbsdown:

[lostinacause]

143. Being a relativist means you believe in nothing. The trick

is to be relative in an absolute way.

[Lilith Velkor]

173. I do believe in nothing.

Without nothing there wouldn't be something. I don't see how this makes me a relativist.

By "absolute," do you mean consistent?

[lostinacause]

183. If you are not a complete relativist then you must believe in at least

one absolute, presumably two. If you believe in two absolutes then you "deal with absolutes".

My point? Nothing really.

[alcibiades_mystery]

77. I do not support the current operation

I support Israel's right to exist.

There is no simple in the Middle east.

[Seedersandleechers]

78. Yes

[pooja]

79. no, I don't support war... so no on hezbollah too

[Bretttido]

80. No, Hell No, and Hell Fucking No

[enki23]

81. i haven't donated anything lately, no. but my tax money supports them

so, i guess... yes?

[AllNamesHaveBeenUsed]

82. Yes

[ComerPerro]

83. I don't have a choice in the matter. My money kills Iraqis and Lebanese

[Tierra_y_Libertad]

84. No. But I don't "support" any country.

“I never submitted the whole system of my opinions to the creed of any party of men whatever, in religion, in philosophy, in politics or in anything else, where I was capable of thinking for myself. Such an addiction is the last degradation of a free and moral agent. If I could not go to Heaven but with a party, I would not go there at all.” - Thomas Jefferson

[MallRat]

85. Yes.

I don't always agree with their leadership, though.

It's no different than the United States: you can love America AND hate the Republicans. The two aren't mutually exclusive.

-MR

[Cleita]

86. I support Israel as a nation, but I don't support what their

right wing government is doing now anymore than I support ours. And, I believe they are in this somehow together, the Bushistas and the Likkud or whoever is doing this to Israel.

[Amaya]

87. no

nt

[Avalux]

88. It's not a yes or no question.

I can't possibly answer it that simply. I support Israel, just as I support the Lebanese, the Palestinians, and every other human being who is trying to live their life in conflict.

All men are created equal and should be treated with compassion and respect. I believe this; and my hope is that one day, all people will lay down their arms and learn to live together in peace.

[Meshuga]

91. Yes n/t

[Alexodin]

92. No.

[QuestionAll...]

93. I support the people of Isreal like I do those of the US

I will never support what their governments do in their names. never.

[Mass]

94. What do you mean? If you mean the right of Israel to exist, the answer is

yes.

If you mean "support Israel" the way Bush means " support the USA", the answer is NO. You have the right to disagree with what a country does.

[Jara sang]

96. No.

[Joe Fields]

97. Yes

[Kaleidescope Cassie]

98. YES!!!! Perhaps not this administration, but YES I support Israel.

Perhaps not this administration, but YES I support Israel.

[WillyT]

101. Not THIS Crap, Not THIS Response !!!

Nope.

[Southsideirish]

102. Nope.

[liberalitch]

104. yes

[lonestarnot]

106. Yes but they should know better than to suck bushitler's ass and

do his dirty work for him.

[laylah]

109. Not on this one! n/t

[NuttyFluffers]

111. it's a bit too simple... yes and no.

that's like saying, "america: right or wrong?" um, about what? we've been very wrong about many, many things in our history, and are currently very wrong about many, many things currently. but there's also a lot of potential and idealism and actions about america that was and is very right.

i do believe democracy, or at least representative gov't of some sort like a democratic republic or something, is a great thing. but i believe occupation and colonization is wrong. i believe mandatory civil service of some sort is good, but i believe state military action against a loose (and currently legitimized, due to elections) collection of actors is excessive, foolish, and wrong.

do i like bagels? yes. lox? yes. shmear? yes. do i like the pounds it piles around my mid-section because it's so tasty? no.

i really don't see how this question is productive. nations, like people, often have ugly pasts. the challenge is to steel yourself and pour the effort to bring it into the good when it does bad. that, and this is something people often forget, he who has the larger amount of power/advantage has the larger share of responsibility -- and one of the better ways is to help the weak around you.

this also works in reverse, those who are largely devoid of power/advantage are largely devoid of responsibility. this is why desperate people are not always wholly responsible for their actions (i.e. this is one of the reasons that the sin of usury goes to the lender, not the borrower). desperation imparts temporary insanity upon the afflicted, which is why it is always unwise to reduce people to a state of desperation (a lesson sun tzu teaches us in explaining that you must always give your enemy a real means of escape).

ohh, i'm rambling now. anyway, it's not a sensible question because it's too reductionist to impart any value. in fact, it would be insane to state anything less than "yes and no." just as no nation is 100% right, it also cannot be 100% wrong. the only correct answer, devoid of knee-jerk reaction, is the acknowledgement that it can only truly be "yes and no."

[insane_cratic_gal]

112. NO for both sides of the fence!

I don't support Hezbollah actions against Israel. I don't support Israel's actions against Hezbollah. If they want to fight one another I think they need to take into a small perimeter of land with no boundaries and just have at it, stop killing innocent civilians on both sides.

I don't support any form of violence against other human beings

[Charlie Brown]

115. I support Israelis who believe in peace

I wish there were more of them in the government.

[LibDemAlways]

117. I do not support recent actions of the Israeli

government with regard to Lebanon just as I do not support actions of the US government with regard to Iraq. I have nothing against the people of Israel.

[Cameron27]

118. yes

[Hardrada]

119. I think not.

At least insofar as I disagree with the militaristic policies of Israel today. I would think there are Israelis who adhere to the sort of peace and diplomacy positions I would espouse.

[Lurking Dem]

120. Yes.

[Jazzgirl]

121. Not only no....

Hell no!

[DianeG5385]

122. No. And this makes me so sad. Israel has gone over the top

and has been allowed even encouraged to do so by the BUSH regime. We have now aligned ourselves 100% with Israel and can no longer be considered an honest broker. I have always supported Israel but their actions are not helpful to a lasting peace in fact, makes a lie of this, because they don't want peace they want a piece of Lebanese land.

The other countries in the region, Lebanon, Jordan, Syria, Iran are scared shitless at our recklessness. I think they fear they will be destroyed in a massive carnage designed to cow them and enslave them. They are begging for help and are being ignored. It sickens me. We won't allow them to defend themselves against Israel so the result is a slaughter. How are they expected to defend themselves against Israeli aggression? They don't have US bombs and US Air fighters, it's not a fair fight, in fact it's shameful I would have expected better than this from a civilised society.

I don't know whether a change in congress will help, given the blatant pandering I've seen on the part of Dems in Congress. It sickens me. There's not even a pretense of concern for the Lebanese, et al. What is wrong with US politics? When did we become a client state of Israel and engage in policies so obviously against our national interests??

[NoPasaran]

123. Yes

[Imajika]

124. Yes

Absolutely, I support Israel.

[williesgirl]

125. NO

[OPERATIONMINDCRIME]

126. There Are A Million Tangents That Make Your Request For A Simple Yes No

impossible. Taking an issue such as the M.E. conflict that is as complex as it is, and turning into a black and white one, will pretty much end up being one heck of a waste of time in my opinion.

[KAT119]

127. NO, NO, NO!!!!!!

[Mr_Spock]

128. Not now

I may have if they had responded in a measured way - but they have strayed off far off course and I can no longer support them at this point. They need to stop the killing NOW!

[Marie26]

130. Depends

Do I support Israel creating solar power initiatives? Yes. Do I support Israel bombing Lebanese houses? No. This is a meaningless poll.

[Redstone]

131. Yes. And I'm not even Jewish.

Redstone

[AngryOldDem]

133. No.

This weekend's attack was the last straw for me.

[Quantess]

134. No.

I don't really know enough to take sides. The whole thing stinks.

[T Town Jake]

135. YES.

(n/t)

[GreenTea]

136. No. I do support Israel to exist but not their constant aggression-always

with excuse after excuses. A kidnapped soldier and this is the answer? They can't kill all billion plus muslims... Israel has one the most advanced powerful military in the world...never diplomacy always force.

Because Israel is never wrong, never ever wrong, Israel never makes mistakes, it's always someone doing things and acts of aggression to poor Israel, Israel would never does anything wrong, they are perfect. Poor Israel.

[in_cog_ni_to]

137. ABSOLUTELY! YES! n/t

[janx]

138. Yes.

.

[rockymountaindem]

139. yes

Also, a lot more plain old "yes" answers in this thread than I expected.

[lostinacause]

140. Yes and no

I support their right to what could be called self defense. With that being said they are doing a poor job of it which will result in more conflict and more death.

[eridani]

141. The people, yes. The government, no.

I support Israel's right to exist within its 1967 borders. I don't support its policy of ethnic cleansing, water theft and mass murder.

[LWolf]

142. "Israel" needs to be clearly defined.

Do I support Israel's current military action?

Do I support the current government of Israel?

Do I support Israel as a nation?

Do I support Israeli citizens?

What?

[nickgutierrez]

144. "Support" in what sense?

Do I support their right to exist? Yes.

Am I a supporter of their current military actions? No.

Do I support Hezbollah and their enemies? No.

I believe that Israel's disproportionate response will bring more harm upon Israel than it's helping to prevent.

[Skip Intro]

146. Its not a simple yes or no

[Lindacooks]

147. NO

[fujiyama]

148. Yes, no, maybe, at times, depends,

I have great respect for the Israeli people. They have developed a somewhat functioning democracy in the middle east. I appreciate and respect their scientific accomplishments...and I certainly support the nation's right to exist and defend itself.

But I don't support its occupation of the WB. I don't support the settlements. I don't support fanatics in Likud and I'm pretty disgusted with this Kadima party as well.

I am also disappointed by the course of action they have taken in recent weeks. I just do not see how their indiscriminate bombing will make the country and its people safer. While I understand that Hezbollah is a group of cowardly religious fanatics that hide behind civilians, Israel should show better judgement than attacking such areas and risking such great civilian death counts.

[JackNewtown]

149. Yes

May Israel always exist and one day be able to finally live without fear of attack by its neighbors.

I don't agree with everything Israel does but I don't agree with everything any nation does. At the end of the day, if Israel's existence were threatened, I would support the US using any means necessary to save it.

[w4rma]

150. Yes, but I do not support in the least the Likud Party currently in charge

of their (and seemingly ours) government.

[InaneAnanity]

151. NO

But I don't support Lebanon either.

I hate everyone involved in that stupid, senseless conflict.

[Make7]

152. I will never support them building that wall on Palestinian territory. n/t

[cali]

153. I don't support

on/off binary questions to complex situations. Ever.

[JackNewtown]

154. Ok

But do you recognize this thread's right to exist? ;)

[cali]

156. heh, reluctantly.

I have a problem with most of the threads on this subject, chiefly because most people commenting don't have the vaguest idea of what they're talking about. Yeah, I know how that sounds, and I don't include you in that number, but most people on DU, outside of the regulars who post on I/P are not well versed in the history of the conflict in the mideast. They seem to take their opinions off the shelf. It doesn't lead to thoughtful discourse. And, of course, there are far too many conspiracy drenched theories being put forth as gospel.

[aaronbees]

155. No, not the current government's actions....

if that's what you mean -- not one iota. I don't support Hezbollah either. I support the innocent people being killed and injured beyond repair on both sides in Lebanon and Israel, even if I disagree with policies they may vote for and back. I support real statehood for Palestinians. I don't support a U.S. Middle East policy that's built on greedy self-interest and warmongering for longterm gain. I support an immediate cease fire.

How's that for an answer?

[Philosoraptor]

157. no

[Justice Is Comin]

158. I think the no's have it

and the motion is agreed to.

[Trajan]

159. A Pox On ALL Their Houses .....

ALL I care about is that ALL innocent human beings in the ME; men, women and children of ALL races, nationalities, creeds and ethnic groups, are allowed to enjoy a sliver of their lives ....

Just for once .....

The greedy killing bastards need to BACK THE FUCK OFF ... Arab, Jew and Christian alike ....

[rman]

160. I do not support the policies of the Israeli state

Nor do i support Hezbollah's actions.
I'm not sure if that answers your question...

[Violet_Crumble]

161. The World Cup is still on????

I didn't even realise Israel got past the qualifying rounds!

Oh, yr not talking about football, which is most commonly the thing where people support a team? Hey, don't you worry about it. If we really try hard to dumb things down, there'll be enough folk who'll blindly support Israel as though a conflict like this is some sort of football game....

[Andromeda]

162. Yes I do.

[imperial jedi]

163. NO !!

n/t

[MGD]

164. Yes. nt

[mogster]

165. Ambiguous question n/t

[purji]

167. no

[RagingInMiami]

168. Hell no

[HamdenRice]

169. Israel under Labor govt, Yes; Israel under Likud govt NO

And the current government is little more than warmed over Likud. But the bigger point is that it amazes me that we don't make this important distinction. Under Ehud Barak, there were almost no "terrorist" incidents by PLO connected forces, and there was progress towards a comprehensive regional peace. Sharon intentionally destroyed all that.

[mmonk]

170. A black and white question for a heavy shades of gray issue.

Define support.

[Zynx]

171. Yes, in most cases.

I believed that some of their actions in 2002 and 2003 against the Palestinians were wrong, but in the end they took the correct actions in dismantling the settlements and crippling Hamas' ability to strike Israel.

[mainegreen]

172. No: pertaining to lebanon

Yes: Pertaining to right to exist.

[noonwitch]

174. In this situation, yes, it is self-defense.

time to get Hezbollah out of Lebanon.

[debbierlus]

175. NO

NO!

[cracksquirrel]

177. Fascinating...

Yes here, but I'm quite frankly amazed by all the long-time posters here saying "yes." Just goes to show that we aren't all "cyber-zionists" in the employ of the world conspiracy.

But for those of you who said yes:
When reading through the I/P threads or Hezbollah threads recently, it feels as though there is an overwhelming animosity towards Israel, with three or four centrist or pro-Israel posters caught up in the deluge.
My question is, do most of you just not usually post on this topic, but just decided to express your beliefs simply and be done with it, or do you almost feel intimidated and overwhelmed just trying to enter the fray?

[earth mom]

178. I don't support the killing of innocents on either side. nt

[BooScout]

182. No

I don't support Hezbollah either.

I do support the innocent victims of all wars though.

[Kickin_Donkey]

184. Nope.

It's become a monster, like apartheid South Africa.

[liberaltrucker]

185. Yes, with reservations

re: Lebanon :cry:

[Marr]

188. Not their government, but I support the Israeli people and their right to

exist there, yes.

Back in 1949 I most definitely would not have supported them. The idea of moving into someone elses' territory- especially THAT territory- and creating a "homeland" is an obvious invitation to neverending violence, and I wouldn't have supported it for a minute. But that was 50 years ago or more, and the people in Israel now are following generations. That's their home now.

[cigsandcoffee]

189. Yes