What Americans Should Know About It
Palestine-Israel Conflict and What Americans Should Know About It
There is much more than meets the eye regarding the United State’s role in the Palestine-Israel conflict. The significant facts that Americans should know, regarding the Israel-Palestine conflict highlight the social injustices (such as unemployment rates, demolition of homes, numbers of political prisoners and detainees, injuries, and civilian fatalities) in which Palestinians are at a much greater loss than Israelis. These facts, coupled with the staggering differences in US aid to Israel over Palestine, elucidate the blurred lines between politics, religious conflict, and human rights at stake.
The greatest obstacle of peace between the Jewish Israelis and the Muslim and Christian Palestinians is a matter of political tactics not necessarily common religious goals. In fact, the most popular religion in the United States is Christianity, which is ironic considering that the US supports Judaism, which does not believe in Jesus, as opposed to the Palestinians that also have a high percentage of Christians. Thus, the United State’s interest in Israel is mainly a political one, with little ties to religion, as it is strategically important for the US to have a presence in the Middle East and good relations with a “democratic ally” such as Israel in this heated region.
Unfortunately, there are great economic and diplomatic consequences for the United State’s involvement and support of Israel in the Palestine-Israel Conflict. According to IfAmericansKnew.org, the US provided Israel with approximately $8.5 million per day in military aid in 2013. This money is mostly borrowed or coming out of taxpayers’ checks and is certainly increasing the United State’s national debt. Moreover, having relations with Israel in an Islamic-dominated region is a huge cost to the US’ diplomatic fervor. The United States is at important crossroads with the Israel-Palestine conflict as the general American public begins to discern the truths about the conflict and the consequences for the nation’s economy and security.
