NATO is an American Army, Navy and Airforce, with a little bit of British contribution thrown in. Now what exactly will Israel get out of NATO? from the British definitely nothing. Will Italians protect Israel from Iran when they will not even protect themselves? Note all the NATO contributions in Afghanistan and Iraq -- not much.

Why? Europe is in danger of going under and will trade you in for whatever they can get in return. Yet you come back to Europe for more abuse. NOBODY will protect you from the Arabs and the Iranians, not Europe, not US. By now it should be painfully obvious and you should be preparing your own plans accordingly.

"NOBODY will protect you from the Arabs and the Iranians, not Europe, not US. By now it should be painfully obvious and you should be preparing your own plans accordingly." You've hit the nail on the head.

Israel will have to act against Iran whatever He is or not inside the NATO and Israel will also need to evacuate large portions of the West bank to create an international and safe border as soon as possible whatever He is or not inside the NATO!!! This is completely unavoidable! Then, If Israel joins the NATO: + Iran or any other arab states will think it twice... + Israel will be more integrated in the developed world ; It means greater stability, more money and more growth and so on. + Israel will be safer like Europe was in 45-90. + It means also more money to develop more advanced systems, and so this will increase greatly Israel's advance in High tech. + Better relations with Europe. + Israel will be a lot more recognized. + Israel will be able to have a greater influence. + In a world of globalization, Israel will need to join a bloc of countries. If Israel DOESNT join the Nato: + Israel will be isolated in international organizations. + Less growth, less safety and so on. + Less biased policies from Europe. I just see a modern state, not a backward and isolated one. We must act accordingly.

still being in NATO is a good idea

BEING A PART OF NATO WOULD GIVE ISRAEL MORE PRESTIGE AND GIVE THE WORLD ONE LESS REASON TO FORGETE ABOUT US. ALSO HAVEING NATO AS A POTENTIAL BACK UP AGAINST FUTURE WARS WOULDNT HURT AS WELL. JOINING NATO WOULD SURELY PISS OFF OF OUR NEIGHBOURS, OVER ALL SOUNDS PROMISING.

REALLY ALLOW ISRAEL TO MAKE THE BEST DECISIONS FOR ITS SELF WE KNOW ABOUT DEFENDING OUR SELVES DOSE NATO OR WILL WE BE EXPECTED TO DO WHAT THAY ADVISE OR GET THROWN OUT. IM ONLY ASKING . AS FOR THE MAIL THAT STATED PLUS AND MINIS WHY WE SHOULD BE PART OF NATO YOU WOULD THINK WE HADNT DEVELOPED IN THE PAST 57 YEARS WITH OUT BIG BROTHER

Israel needs its military and policy independence from the NATO framework. If Iran or Syria attacked Israel, Israel would not be able to wait until the Europeans finished debating whether to face down the Arab oil interests and help. So Israel can never rely on NATO to help defend it. So the chief benefits of NATO membership are not useful to Israel. Lesser benefits can be achieved through a close partnership rather than membership. It's an honor to be considered vital to NATO interests, but a close partnership of equals is better for Israel (and even for NATO) than Israel as a member of NATO itself. My 3 cents (inflation :-)

This is the first concession that the EU has made towards Israel as she allows an enemy state within her borders. I am doubtful as to what kind of deterence it will be, but i am pleased with the idea.

I remember when I was sitting in a bomb shelter during the 73 war when nato countries refused to allow over flights of supplies to Israel

Italy's friendship is appreciated, but.... First, EU is not NATO. Many, and probably most of the countries in the EU are not in NATO. Second, most of the countries in NATO are in NATO so that the US can protect them and put their military bases on their soil, as part of the US's strategic military plans. The NATO promise is only as strong as the US promise. And, few NATO countries have armies strong enough to defend even themselves, much less others. Third, I agree with those who think NATO will equivocate rather than help during a time of need, and this because these NATO countries don't really see themselves as having independant military options. In fact, they don't WANT such options, as they don't want the obligations that come with it. Rather, they prefer the US will do their work for them anyway. We saw that with their equivocation over helping the US in Iraq, so how much more so will it be the case with Israel, where there is basically no political price to be paid for letting us fall. Lastly, what some of you ignore is that such membership in NATO is a two way street. Any military movement by Israel will have to be passed by NATO, since in the end any counteraction may draw them into a conflict. NATO is, in other words, a military straight jacket. Imagine a public debate over Israel attacking Iran's nuclear facilities, for example. They'd all love Israel to do it, but do you really think they'd defend Israel if there were a counter-strike, and risk Iranian missiles landing in Milan, London or Madrid? It took Europe 3 years before they'd even recognize that the political options dont' always work with the kinds of countries who are enemies of Israel (like Iran). THese NATO countries are unable to defend themselves, much less come to the defence of Israel. I agree, a great honor to be considered, but I think we should pass on it. If they want, they can do what the US does - store military equipment here as a front base in the event of an attack, and when they don't show up to use it defending us, Israel will use it to defend itself. We've learned that we dont' need, nor want, nor do we trust anyone else, not even the US, to defend us. We'll defend ourselves.

A state wich totally occupies another peoples land? A state which have enslaved a whole people, giving them NO democracy, NO rights??? NEVER NEVER NEVER

A little off topic, but this viewpoint is getting old and boring. If I recall, Israel is on a land once inhabited by Turkey, who didn't want it anymore due to its desert climate - they couldn't grow crops on it. Now that Israel has shown for the past 58 years how this land can flourish, the whole region seems to want it. Off topic, but needed to be said.

if israel joins and iran atacks then our soldiers need to fight and ill maybe be a soldier soon so ... :-)

As de-facto US colony, outsorced on behalf of US strategic oil interests to the Zionist mafia, Israel already is part of NATO, and has always been. Both competing crime families running the US, Republicans and Democrates, firmly believe in two dogmas: they can't win elections without sucking up to the Zionist mafia, and the more world oil reserves they control, the better. Andrew Winkler Editor/Publisher TheRebel.Org

If we become a NATO member , will that mean that the European states will finally show us respect. When was the last time that we heard of one NATO nation militarily attacking an other? Turkey or Greece ? nah. Were NATO states raedy to support Britain after the London bombings? Nah! The worst forms of war in future will probably be of a terrorist nature. Will NATO fight the terrorist regimes ?

Now call us arrogant, but we don't really give a s$%^& what the Europeans want or think. You have shown us the extend of your capabilities, or rather total lack thereof, in the Balkans and you have demonstrated complete lack of loyalty to us on Afghanistan and Iraq. NATO doesn’t exist for all practical purposes, other than to protect Poland, Czechs and Hungarians from Russia. Now, let see who will protect you from Iran, or will you simply fold, like you did in 1939.

No one should be surprised at Andrew Winkler's comment, coming as it does from a Holocaust denier and anarchist who tries his best to invent history that suits his own dogma. His comment show the ignorance and prejudice that are the guidlines of the website he runs.

Dear Friends: NATO is the biggest international defence entity. Israel needs NATO and NATO needs Israel. I think that developed Israel can contribute to NATO defence military eguipment. I read on internet that Israel will be a member in 2010. Good luck! Vladimir