May 24, 2011
The Politics of Israel
Imagine a wedge issue emerging like this, “That other guy isn’t as close a friend to Canada as I am.” Perhaps folks would trumpet how many times they have been to Toronto, how they enjoy a good game of hockey, and feel close spiritual kinship to the Mennonite folks in Niagara-on-the-Lake. They’d point to the other guy and complain that not only does he not know what an icing call is, but actively supported Gretzky’s move to Los Angeles. Maybe even secretly harbors opinions contrary to good relations between Quebec and Ottawa.
Ridiculous, isn’t it? We stand with Canada. We don’t wonder, “What will Britain or Mexico think of our friendship with Canada?” We don’t question their national and cultural commitment to freedom when their politics shifts. It’s not a Democrat or Republican stance. It’s just who we are as their friends to the south.
Yet in a way that is what is being threatened with Israel.
Israel may be separated from the US by distance, but it is a closest kin in strategic and political interests. Sure, there are always behind the scenes, State Department discussions to do basic housekeeping and make sure there is no daylight between us. There are even respected differences, since as us Midwesterners might say, “Good fences make good neighbors.” But friends stand by each other, and aren’t ashamed to do so. They protect each other and don’t triangulate against them as part of global gamesmanship. Let’s stand by Israel, regardless of party, regardless of politics.
