Cut off aid? Thanks to Bibi the Israeli taxpayer could absorb such a burden fairly easily because US aid, even when combined with the Diaspora's donations, equals less than 2 percent of Israel's GDP. Cut off weapon's supplies? That would mean firing the engineers, technicians and blue-collar workers involved in manufacturing what the IDF buys from the US. Can you imagine that at this present time? Much of Europe is now under the Islamic heel, so regardless of what Israel does or doesn't do, those countries will kowtow to their new masters - as the UK has now begun doing. These senior PA officals have no knowlege of such things of course, and believe that force is the only way to get things done. The 'understand' torturing and killing Hamas prisoners and vice versa and believe it is normal. Mike

Also, cutting off aid would deprive the U.S. of the money that comes back from Israel to our defense industry, potentially resulting in even more layoffs of American workers. Certainly not something anybody wants to see happening these days. But, more than anything, this notion that all the pressure should be exerted on Israel while the Palestinians are rewarded for their bad behavior is an absolute obscenity and something the American government should never be a party to. The Palestinians have far too many unfulfilled obligations for them to be making all the demands.

(End)

while Abbas & his corrupt cronies have been repeating the same empty words/demands for the past 2 decades and Israeli settlments and occupation grows on Palestian lands.

Every country or power who try to divide Israel shall be doomed. That`s mean even US!

Occupation is not the issue and Palestinian statehood has never been the answer. Only when Arabs demonstrate acceptance of Israel as a Jewish state will negotiations produce peace, not bloodshed. Anyone who can claim that if Israel returns its re-claimed territory and in the process dangerously weakens itself that this will guarantee peace is a dreamer and completely out of touch with reality. The goal of the Arabs is Israel’s destruction and that is why nothing has worked and nothing will work as explained at : http://israelagainstterror.blogspot.com/2008/06/do-arabs-want-peace.html

The US has plenty of tools at its disposal to pressure us. I think you need to understand Israel's place in the world in context and without any illusions - we are not a superpower, nor are we a particularly important player in the global economy. Our military industries, while somewhat impressive technologically, are relatively small by comparison to other major arms producers and our customers could easily move to other suppliers should they need to The point I'm making here is that Israel is replaceable in just about every way in a global context. Now let us consider the strategic reality with which the US is faced. Israel is a major destabilizing factor in the Middle East, in that the unpopularity of its actions undermine the pro-US governments in countries such as Jordan and Egypt. In many respects, the US' close relationship with Israel is one major source of anti-American sentiment in the region and has substantially weakened America's standing in the region when compared to the position America enjoyed in the 50s and 60s. Furthermore, it has become apparent that Israel's only real strength - its military - is both incapable of dealing with the primary form of armed conflict in the modern Middle-East (that is to say, armed conflict with non-state actors) and further is incapable of directly assisting US armed forces in the region due to Israel's state of conflict with its neighbors. At this stage Israel could not be considered a strategic asset to the US; whatever little benefit America's alliance with Israel might offer, it is far outweighed by the damage it is causing America in the region. To be perfectly blunt, Israel has become a strategic liability - it is no longer useful as it once might have been during the Cold War. Ending the conflict between Israel and the Arabs is now a clear American interest - and since it has become abundantly clear that the parties to the conflict are not capable of resolving it among themselves, America may well see fit to exert more pressure on Israel to make concessions. It could do this through many avenues: - Ceasing to veto anti-Israeli resolutions in the UNSC, leading to Israel becoming internationally isolated and gradually delegitimised - Cutting off aid, which contrary to your claim could NOT be easily absorbed by the Israeli taxpayer, especially not during a global recession. -Cutting off arms sales to Israel. Contrary to what you claim, that would not necessarily mean the loss of jobs - that production could easily be diverted to the US military. For America, $3-5 billion more for their military spending is pennies. -Imposing limitations on cooperation between American and Israeli arms contractors and defense firms. On top of the military aid given to Israel, substantial sums of US government funds are spent on these joint projects, and their loss would be a severe blow to the Israeli defense industry. These steps are all very real possibilities in the long-run should Israel continue to postpone the inevitable outcome of this conflict: two states east of the Jordan river.

I just thought I should add that Israel routinely tortures prisoners too. This isn't something unique to Hamas or Fatah.

Back to basics, Genesis 1 1:12 "He who bless you I will bless he who curses you I will curse'. That's the final word. I believe America is gong in the wrong direction, again. Either we stand w/ Israel or fall, due to our blessings or cursings to Israel.

Is your real name Ahmet? 60 years later and you seem to side w/ Israels enemies. Israel fought and won battles before America was known of. A stripling of a man, Daivd proves that point eons ago. No one wants a ME w/o Israel, except her enemies. Thanks, Pal.

but, you never go anywhere. Just a lot of hot air, offering nothing but empty rhetoric. Israel will be victorious, and you'll still be a nut.

your analogy is spot on. Shalom,

Is America your God ? Why do you put this failed peace pusher above Hashem ? Do you have a God who is greater than America ? Why do you ignore Him and trust in a corrupt and reprobate nation of liars and deceivers instead ?

With whom would Israel sign such a deal? The PA has no majority rule and its President is serving past his term so he is not recognized by more than half of the Palestinians. Hamas has vowed never to recognize Israel. With whom could a deal and peace be signed?

Those are some compelling arguments you've got there! Unlike you, I am a REAL Zionist - I not only support Israel's right to exist, but live in Israel, I fought in Yom Kippur, my kids are in the army, and I pay my taxes to the Israeli government. Zionism does not mean blind nationalism like you seem to interpret it - Israel CAN and DOES make mistakes, and as rational human beings and as Jews who wish to secure Israel's future, it is our job to analyse the situation and make sure we don't make those mistakes. So I sit here an wonder, where do YOU, an armchair Zionist who clearly prefers not to deal with reality, get off accusing me of being either an Arab or being "full of hot air." I'm the one that presented a substantial and logical argument - you're the one who... well... shared with us nothing but hot air from the comfort of your US home. All the best, Aharon

So why dont you go..... dont let the door hit you on the ass when your leaving

No external powers can impose their will on Israel. It is time America's leaders stop behaving as a tool of Islamist-Jihadism. Despite 9/11, how could America's leaders be fooled and manipulated by the Islamist-Jihadists to do their dirty work on Israel? America should be telling the Islamist-Jihadists of the world to stop crusading their Jihadism/Terrorism on Israel and other countries around the world. Israel must remain resolute and strong in defending itself against this tide of Satanic forces. Israel must say NO to these dark forces.

Oh please... with friends like that we don´t need enemies... stop the religious arguments to talk about serious issues, where were God fearers when this country was built up? against Medinat Israel... so shut up this messianic nonsense

the country of the real cowardly loosers. Your version of Zionism sounds more like antisemitic/anti Israeli garbage. Do us real Israelis a favor and leave Israel. Israel is not made of traitors like you.

Unless there will be a simultaneous imposition of a two-state solution in Spain (for the Basque), in Sri Lanka (for the Tamil), in France (for Bretagne), in Peru (for Shining Path), in Canada (for Quebec) ..... you see where this is going. Six wars, sixty years of fedayin and other terror attacks, eight years of missiles, twenty years of suicide bombings, and two rejected offers of a two-state solution later, they are asking for a two-state solution to be "imposed." What unmitigated nerve!

the spinless approach. Most of Europe is now under the Islamic heel and its appeasement has only brought about its enslavement. And you made no mention of who Israel should make peace with. With Hamas? Of course not, and without it there can be no peace. Obama has the Senate and Congress to contend with, so don't hold your breath hoping they'll turn their backs on Israel. Israel tortures prisoners? Israel is not in the same league. http://tiny.cc/rulebyhamas1 http://tiny.cc/thrownfrombuilding http://tiny.cc/endoflebanon If you watch even some of the above you will never again compare Israel's actions to the barbarians that are portrayed in them. Mike

US people wanted the change and the voted for abortion, free sex, and all God 's abominations.

They continue to blame Israel for unilateral moves like vacating Gaza as a move towards peace, but rally behind the US imposing unliteral moves on Israel. Does this make sense? Are the Pals just trying to sway the international community to pressure Israel for concessions the Pals DO NOT deserve and haven't even tried to earn?? When the Intl community tried to impose the issues of equality, law and order, and blocking weapons to the terrorists - the leftists and Arabs cried it was an attack in Islam and they were blocking the freedom fighters. Unless the West completed, and without hesitation, demilitarizes the Pals, throws them in jail for even one infraction of terror, and pushes for a massive blockade that results in Hamas' ouster - it has NO right to ask Israel to do anything.

Really? The Pals have signed dozens of agreements in the past only to break them before the ink was dry. May I remind you of Arafat's comments to a SA Muslim audience right after the Oslo Accords - "This is one step in a long process of destroying Israel. First we'll take Gaza and WB, then work on destroying Israel" Hamas said the same thing when agreeing to the so-called peace agreements - the same agreements they negated once coming into power, calling for Israel's destruction. So far, despite the spirit of UNR242, the Pals have not compromised in negotiations on borders, and their demands remain the same - "igive us all that we ask for which will result in the death of Israel, or we'll kill you" It appears the Pals are just using pressure of others because they are not in the peace camp, they do not negotiate honestly. They're usurpers, revisionists, and occupiers.

"Israel routinely tortures prisoners" Ok, and the proof of this is.....Palestinians trustful words. These are the same trustful words that talk about massacres, wanton targeting of children, and sending poison candies to Gaza by air. When you rely on these perpetual liars to get your news, it's no wonder you're comments come out as "arabesque". You have a good point on things that the US can do against Israel, but more than likely wouldn't even consider it. They are proud to be one of the only beacons of hope is a socialist-dominated Europe, a racist Muslim bloc in the UN, and a growing despotic regime in Russia. Yet, Israel has faced the blockade of Europe and Russia in the past while they placated the Arab murderers....and you can see the effects today - a strong vibrant open Israel, and pissed off Arabs waving their korans with not a thing to show for 60 years of hate and blaming others. The Arabs aren't totally pissed at the US for supporting Israel. It's a mantra that helps them focus hate. If Israel didn't exist, it would be so many other items which is what Iran is better on when painting the US flag in front of govt buildings so people walk across them in defiance. It's all about Arab hegemony, supremacy, and their internal fight of who will be head of the Pan-Arab world. But once the oil runs out....they'll all be back to warring tribes soon enough...and Israel will be advancing still.