Ron, I agree with your point. By the way, I notice yet again that the intellectual quality of the responses to this column is much higher than that of the column itself.

This is the Email I got from Ray: "Your questions are stupid, excuse my rough language. They are nonsense which is the reason why I won't answer them. Second, even addressing them would take longer than the word count allowed in the "dialogue" section ... You know you really don't care to hear the answers at all. You're just provoking an argument because it is clear from your letters and comments that you miss the point of the column, which is fine. Not everyone can understand it, especially someone who asks dumb questions that are irrelevant to the topic but, not that that is going to stop your campaign of hatred keep it up if you want ... it only provokes more sympathy for me from people who are afraid to engage in the hate debate that takes place with you and others (who say Palestinians don't exist, are a myth, etc) but who feel strongly that I should keep writing Thanks and happy Passover, or Easter ... Ray Hanania" Thanks Ray for your lovely greeting. Passover is wonderful celebration of freedom. This is the proper time for both Jews and Christians to send our greeting to our troops in Iraq and thank them for fighting for this noble idea. Their selfless sacrifices in Iraq as their fathers and grand fathers in both world wars, shaws better than words can ever express the true American psyche. This American psyche produced heros like Pat Tillman and thousands more like him. Thanks to them we have the freedom to harshly critisize Anerica, curse her and even burn her flags. But then of coarse we have the freedom to say simply: " Thank you , America. Happy Easter and Passover.

Very amusing, Ron. I especially like: "...it is clear from your letters and comments that you miss the point of the column, which is fine. Not everyone can understand it .... Oh yes. Ray is such a deep thinker that many cannot understand him.

First of all why the hell would Hanania try to incite jews against Christians if HE HIMSELF is christian..?? You are really something. You go on and on with your retoric and never once stop to think about what Hanania is actually trying to say. Instead you are to busy trying to find a way to make him look like an antisemite and to discredit him. I agree with you that Israelis are indebted to Americans, but NOT to the American Evangelicals. As an American-Israeli living in Israel (unlike yourself) it is no mystery why we cannot trust this population no matter how much they claim to be on our side. The simple reason for this is their political motives which clash head-on with anyone who can call themselves "moderate". As someone living in Israel I am also much more affected by the palestinians terrorist actions, yet I still do not allow myself to be blinded (as you are) to their plight. Despite their enormous democratic blunder (election of Hamas) many studies/polls have shown that the palestinians also want a peaceful resolution. In fact really the only group that does NOT want a peaceful end to the conflict are your good friends which you so vehemently defend , the Evangelicals...

Q: First of all why the hell would Hanania try to incite jews against Christians if HE HIMSELF is christian..?? A: Ask him. If you ask my opinion, he does this instinctively, because his education, choices of newspapers, politics, Lots of el- Jezirra, frustrations, Jew-Arab family, Mason, solidarity with Palestinians, how do I know? I am not his shrink… “You are really something.” >>>>>> Thank you “ You go on and on with your retoric and never once stop to think about what Hanania is actually trying to say.” Why do you think so? “ Instead you are to busy trying to find a way to make him look like an antisemite and to discredit him.” My purpose is to hold him accountable to his readers and not get away with lies and propaganda And hateful speech. This type of propaganda I was fed back in Soviet Russia. Are you familiar with Soviet propaganda? “ I agree with you that Israelis are indebted to Americans, but NOT to the American Evangelicals.” I never said that. What I said that America did lots of good for the world. I say that America saved THE WORLD many times. If not for America, Europe would speak German, Russia would live in Gulag and Jews would be remembered only from few remaining Torahs. Kopish? Israel is not indebted to America and America is not indebted to Israel. We are two countries who share Judeo-Christian Civilization and also great allies and friends. Our civilization based on 10 commandments, not on paganism of the extreme leftists or Islamists or more precisely Islamofashists , barbarians and western useful idiots.

I am trying to post, but either they on holyday or for another reason it doesn't work. I hope the editor is not mad at me because of Ray. Anyway I'll try later

Tell me, Edan, what exactly is Ray "actually trying to say"? He has done not a bit of research for this column; he foolishly confuses Evangelicals with all Americans; he absurdly uses TV Guide as some secret decoder ring. Despite his emphasis on TV Guide, he cannot even get right the current ratings of the shows he considers illustrative. A couple of times you suggest that you, as a resident of Israel, have special knowledge of American Evangelicals. Hardly. You suggest that the Evangelicals do not want a peaceful resolution. I suppose when they "pray for the peace of Jerusalem" they are just joking? They're such jokers! From my vantage point in the US, what they (and I) do NOT want is the kind of "peace" that Israel has repeatedly signed up for, the consequences of which now fly into Israeli towns. Finally, only a Beilinite could still believe that the Pals want peace with Jewish Israel. Those "many studies/polls" you mention make very clear that a huge percentage do in fact support Hamas's objectives, just as the election results indicate.

“As an American-Israeli living in Israel (unlike yourself) it is no mystery why we cannot trust this population no matter how much they claim to be on our side.” Edan, you are not fare. As you might know, Israeli Knesset has very powerful Christian lobby ( 14 MKs) If you read Hebrew, you can read about great and trusting relashionship between Christians and Israel. Do some research, don’t be like Ray Hanania, jumping to conclusions, use some sites I mentioned here.. You assume I don’t live in Israel and in your city Beer Sheva. I used to live in Beer Sheva for 16 years. I also graduated from your Ben Gurion University with a science degree. I also speak Hebrew as native without accent. I also had the privilege to fight for Israel in Lebanon War. I visit Israel twice a year and spent 4 month there during the last year. Leave me your Email and I will be happy to take you to lunch soon. What else should I do to prove that my opinion is valid? “ The simple reason for this is their political motives which clash head-on with anyone who can call themselves "moderate". As someone living in Israel I am also much more affected by the palestinians terrorist actions, yet I still do not allow myself to be blinded (as you are) to their plight. “ My family in Beer Sheva and in other cities are very much effected and so do I , I make a point to ride a bus when I am in Israel. I recently used bus #9 to the Western Wall, just prior to bombing. Why do you think I am blinded to the plight of Palestinians? I support Kadima party, by all means middle of the road. I naturally concerned more for the fate of Israel, since I am a proud Jew. In this I am not so different from many good Americans and especially Evangelicals. They are decent people with developed sense of good and evil. Unfortunately I can hardly say so about many leftist Israelis. “Despite their enormous democratic blunder (election of Hamas) many studies/polls have shown that the palestinians also want a peaceful resolution.” I don’t believe their studies. I don’t believe in their words, I believe in their actions and covenants. Baseless discussions and empty words is a reality of “thinkers” like Hanania. Talk to him about his feelings and Palestinian polls. No BS for me. “ In fact really the only group that does NOT want a peaceful end to the conflict are your good friends which you so vehemently defend , the Evangelicals...” As I said before see the links I provided, research and then make your statement, based on facts, I am not defending anybody, but the truth. Edan, good luck and Happy Passover

TV is a huge influencer on the American public, however, the new generation spends more time at a computer than TV. The older generations have already made their minds up on which team to support so that market has not and will not be won by the Palestinians. The internet is driving influence as young users get what they want, when they want, in a much more dynamic and interactive form. There are "real" people responding on the internet - that's why we're here. People like you, Ray, could be the saviour of the palestinians if you could market your message more widely and comment about the hate messages spread (in arabic) on muslim hate sites. The only translations to these awful hate sites is MEMRI, but it would be much better getting a moderate Arab's translation and comments. The TV Guide is simply a listing of programs with commentary that I certainly don't read. So I think your punch line was weakened by your example. The way you can get to the american public to understand Palestinians is by doing what you are doing. Unfortunately you are clearly the minority as Hammas and the other hate groups are stealing your thunder. Ray, very few American palestinians have your gift. Use your influence to force a regime change in the territories so that the palestinians can reach a final solution to the conflict. We share similar views on what the final solution is, but you sometimes get confused on how to get there.

Obviously "Ron" has an agenda that is note pure, simply an attempt to antagonize. As I have said I ALWAYS respond to anyone who emails me, even people like "Ron." And I assume his motives are unpure going into an email with him. He's typical of what the real problem is that prevents Palestinians and Jews from overcoming their mutual problems and challenges and serves as a reminder of the kind of ignorance and hatred that exists out there. It's not about criticizing an issue. It is about intent and clearly some have an intent that is disingenuous. So thanks Edan and Yehuda for your encouragement. As I have written, we ALL need to look beyond this kind of rhetoric and provocation to find a way out of our probelm. I think if Israelis really do read my column, they see that it is not about the sentence or sentences, but the overall aspect in a larger context. The truth is, Americans ARE driven in their understandings of the world and especially the Middle East by Television. There is a pattern that shows that TV does have a driving impact on how Americans think. When Israelis AND Arabs recognize some of these influences we might realize we are all victims in a bigger picture, and that there will always be rocks on the road like "Ron" who would find fault in anyone who signs his name as a "Palestinian." The problem for Ron is not my arguments. The problem for him is me. And I can honeslty say that I comprehend the challenges that Jews face with persistent anti-Semitism that singles them out because of who they are. Ray Hanania www.hanania.com PS ... being in Dubai where I performed comedy (that several writers insist I don't do, of course), the journalist for one of the Middle East's largest newspaper (I'll wait till they publish their story to name them) spent much time wondering why I write at Yedioth Ahronoth given the "obvious hatred" that I confront. I told him the driving force was the less obvious but clearly greater positive feedback that I get from Israelis and that a dialogue like this is essential for both of us. I was amazed at how serious they view this effort.

I shouldn't have attacked your legitamacy as a jew and israeli. However I stand behind what I said. I took a look at those links you gave and they certainly don't say much about the issue at hand - the unpure motives of the Evangelical christians. They will never say it outright and they will surely deny it , but when they pray "for the peace of Jerusalem" as "sk" writes, they are praying for the peace which will come upon Jerusalem AFTER "armageddon". The more money they invest in our country the more political leverage they hope to gain and that is what I am against. Peace and Hag Sameach.

Edan, when I was 9 years old in Russia, our teacher taught us, Jews put blood into their matzos. I hardly knew I was a Jew and I was confused. This is not a story, this is REAL. Some people within "my people" unfortunately have the same type of mentality. Frankly I am uncomfortable about it. Why? Because how can I, as a Jew come to this people and ask them to open their mind and see through hatred and pre-justice after 2000 years of brain washing, when MY OWN PEOPLE are as much brainwashed and prejudged? Unfortunately too many of my people, Edan. Now many centuries, Jews were treated worse than cattle. Now here are people who offer you their love. What do we do? Spit in their face, this what we do. We are strong people now. Why should we be scared? Let them believe whatever they want. This is free country. If you are so concerned about being converted, go to shul and study Torah. I am not very religious, but I spent time learning Judaism to appreciate and see the wisdom. I always was proud of being a Jew. Period. I even took a course about Christianity in University in Beer Sheva. I also learned history of religions by myself. The more I learn the more I see the truth in Judaism. But my truth is mine. They have their own truth and we must respect their truth. Most Palestinian Christians practice “Liberation Theology" This is very hateful church, they preach against Israel and Jews and for boycott, Some Anglicans are the same, but not the majority. I gave lots of links. Study it. The bottom line, since we don't believe in Christian doctrine, why bother? When Machiah will come, then we will see who is right, but then we will be so happy, it will be a joke anyway. Does it make sense? Happy Passover.

Ray, great to hear you having good time in Dubai. After your article about American TV guide and how it influences American mind, you probably went to work on Dubai TV guide and it’s influence on Arab mind. Since you did " comedy" and most likely haven’t been able to watch Dubai TV I’ll help you out with your favorite topic about Christians, Jews and their TV culture. Here; http://72.14.203.104/search?q=cache:_7F3zPH3970J:www.littlegreenfootballs.com/weblog/%3Fentry%3D16614+Dubai+Jews&hl=en&gl=us&ct=clnk&cd=27 ..very nice clip By the way there is another nice article about education in Dubai and wonderful culture of tolerance and peaceful religious coexistence. Here: "Teachers object to book showing Jewish children By Mohsen Rashid 29 March 2005 “DUBAI — Education authorities here have promised to review a book taught in an international private school that features a photograph of two Jewish children sporting plaited hair and yarmulke. Dr Obaid Butti Al Mohiri, the Director of Curriculums Centre at the Ministry of Education, said he would order the withdrawal of the book for primary Class I of the Dubai International School if the complaints raised were found genuine.” “The teachers said that of all the pictures in the book, the students reacted sharply to only this picture.” What a wonderful generation they are raising, new modern Arab psyche… very moderate and loving. Those kids will be so happy to read wonderful articles about those NeoCons and their strange language.. They will send delegations and student exchange… fer sure… http://www.khaleejtimes.com/Displayarticle.asp?section=theuae&xfile=data/theuae/2005/march/theuae_march896.xml Coming back from such a paradise It must be hard to get used again to the American psyche … P.S. If you are really serious, you got lots of TV here.. www.memri.org

I'vew been telling people this for years but no one beleived me. maybe now some will. they pray for the end of days with a ferver usually reserved for kids wanting a new bike on Xmas when they know they will only get a yo yo! When they going to grow up? when they going to relize that they are wrong and have been since the begining of time when they first put a date on the end of the world?

Hanania say: “ Obviously "Ron" has an agenda that is note pure, simply an attempt to antagonize. Obviously “Hanania” doesn’t have an agenda at all, why would he? He is also “pure” whatever it means… Hanania said “ As I have said I ALWAYS respond to anyone who emails me, even people like "Ron." No Hanania you NEVER responded to my questions. Look at posts 15, 26, 40, 58,62 . Have you answered those questions, Hanania? I have become “Ron” not just Ron, this is sign of respect too… You also address me as follows; “you're not even clever” #41,#62 “Your questions are stupid” and “They are nonsense which is the reason why I won't answer them. Second, even addressing them “ :”would take longer than the word count allowed in the "dialogue" section ...” You claim wrongly that “You know you really don't care to hear the answers at all” and “Not everyone can understand it, especially someone who asks dumb questions that are irrelevant to the topic” You clam “it only provokes more sympathy for me from people who are afraid to engage in the hate debate” Of coarse all your sympathizers are hiding because they “ afraid to ingage in the hate debate “. I hope you heard about “cartoon debate” in the Arab world, with all those murdered and burned all over the world. Looks like the only thing Arabs afraid is to talk, not to kill and riot and hate everybody especially those “pigs and monkeys” You say: “ And I assume his motives are unpure going into an email with him. He's typical of what the real problem is that prevents Palestinians and Jews from overcoming their mutual problems and challenges and serves as a reminder of the kind of ignorance and hatred that exists out there.” Don’t confuse your readers; I never said anything disrespectful about Palestinians. I respect peaceful Palestinians who believe in coexistence and support two states solution. I had Palestinian friends and even professor in Israeli University, who loved being Israeli and not crazy enough to move to Palestinian state. Those Palestinians know better than you, “American”. ((((Next Challenging Hanania2)))

You say: ”It's not about criticizing an issue. It is about intent and clearly some have an intent that is disingenuous. “ My intent to expose hateful propaganda and stereotyping of Hanania. He is a hypocrite and stereotyping others, while at the same time accusing others of stereotyping. ”So thanks Edan and Yehuda for your encouragement.” If you call “ “Some good points, but the punch line is weak” and “We share similar views on what the final solution is, but you sometimes get confused on how to get there.” What encouragement ! I must agree with this encouragement. Illusions, illusions., Hanania You say : “As I have written, we ALL need to look beyond this kind of rhetoric and provocation to find a way out of our probelm. “ First part of any solution is understanding of the problem. Your confusion as Yehuda and many here see doesn’t let you see the light. Your ideas may appeal to confused and ignorant, who never bothered to read a book or learn the issues at hand. Free press can tolerate this type of backwardness in the West, but in Dubai, home of Arab TV propaganda like Al- Jezeera, is the rule. El Jeezira financed by corrupt regime who builds huge high scrapers and “palm islands from easy money coming from “stereotyping” Americans who work for a living. The oil, that finance idiots dreams, like ancient Egypt pyramids, instead of helping Arabs to get out of ignorance, the one you represent in many of your articles. Can you criticize the Emir in Dubai in your “comedy” Hanania? Thanks G-d there in “American psyche” infidels who allows you to smear and criticize and than go to AUE Dubai to brag and make a buck out of those stupid Americans and than claim moral superiority. You, Hanania are part of the problem, not part of the solution, You say: “I think if Israelis really do read my column, they see that it is not about the sentence or sentences, but the overall aspect in a larger context.” ((((Look at Challenging Hanania3)))))

Israelis like me and also Americans who know the issues see you though and understand very well, that your column is far from what you claim it to be. And Ray, please encourage your “shy” followers to respond on those talkbacks. Arabs can contribute to positive discussions, based on respecting the truth and facts, not wishful thinking at best that you try so hard to present to us. Oh, and by the way, they can do it anonymously, so your tolerant hosts don’t get their hands on them… You say: “The truth is, Americans ARE driven in their understandings of the world and especially the Middle East by Television. There is a pattern that shows that TV does have a driving impact on how Americans think. “ American also have free press, freedom to criticize and many other ways to get education. What about Arabs? Libraries? Free and open press? Free and democratic institutions? Or may be propaganda of mobilized state “newspapers “Protocols of Elders of Zion, freely distributed? Half Arabs don’t know to read and write. So stupid American has only TV? Who told you this? Any research? Whom you are kidding? ”When Israelis AND Arabs recognize some of these influences we might realize we are all victims in a bigger picture, and that there will always be rocks on the road like "Ron" who would find fault in anyone who signs his name as a "Palestinian." “ Rons “are not your problem, Hanania. I know some real courageous Arabs, just look, Hanania: http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&q=Wafa+Sultan&btnG=Google+Search Hanania, you are a victim and nurture a culture of victimhood. I don’t find fault in you as a Palestinian, I find you to be promoting ignorance and clichés, instead of looking at the facts and being honest. I find you being a coward, who doesn’t grab the real issues, but politically correct ignorance. You say: “ The problem for Ron is not my arguments. The problem for him is me.” Very convenient way to avoid discussion about real issues. Straight out of classic Soviet propaganda. As I told before. Culture of victimhood. The leftist calls it “ being courageous” Standing on the line for truth. You like to be a martyr, don’t you? (((((Look next Challenging Hanania 4)))))))

“And I can honeslty say that I comprehend the challenges that Jews face with persistent anti-Semitism that singles them out because of who they are. “ If you “honestly” believe, why don’t you raze the issue with your fellow Arabs? This is where it is, Hanania: http://www.memri.org/antisemitism.html YOU SAY: ”PS ... being in Dubai where I performed comedy (that several writers insist I don't do, of course), the journalist for one of the Middle East's largest newspaper (I'll wait till they publish their story to name them) spent much time wondering why I write at Yedioth Ahronoth given the "obvious hatred" that I confront.” See my previous post; “Ray? Here you go again” I wonder if the article about you will link this to Ynet site or publish an article, which is no favorite of Emir of whatever country the “ paper” it is. Hanania, you don’t have to “provoke” me to answer you. You don’t have integrity and solid argument and even humor to challenge all those “ Rons” on this talkback. You going to be exposed and challenged. Good Luck and no offence. I don’t hate. Hate is destructive. We Jews don’t believe in hate. Hate destroyed societies, never build civilizations… Happy Easter “Ron”

"when they going to relize that they are wrong and have been since the begining of time when they first put a date on the end of the world? " Who are they and when did they put a date on the end of the world? On what planet did they live?

One of the remarkable things about Ray's work in general is that he doesn't know anything. We already know much about how TV news affects political perceptions: it tends to be able to convince people about what the important issues of the day are ("agenda setting"). It does not change firmly held opinion. There is no evidence of the political relevance of anything EXCEPT news programs. Ray doesn't seem to know the difference between TV as a cause of opinion and TV as an indicator of opinion. That fact is, though, that TV elites are way, way to the left of the average American voter. In no way do they represent mainstream America. Sometimes the quality of their work is so high that they can succeed commercially (e.g. "All in the Family"). More often, they produce drivel that is apolitical - and that, therefore, neither causes nor indicates anything political. If Ray were principled and not lazy, he would at least analyze the Nielsen ratings, and generalize based on these data. But Ray is a Pal.

Hanania, I am happy to hear you went to Dubai to do research about Arab/ Palestinian Psyche! Of coarse you as a Palestinian is the one to write about this Palestinian Psyche. Israelis and Americans have a hard time to undersrtand, since they are brainwashed by their TV. I am looking forward to read about this important project, espepsially to me as Hamasnik- Zionist.

Mathew 12:36 On the day of Judgment men will render account for every careless word they utter; for by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned.

Palestinian Authority society voted for the Hamas platform of destruction of Israel. Jews are not safe in Muslim areas around the world. Muslims live and walk in safety in Israel, and Jewish areas around the world. There is no U.N. and world condemnation for Islam's non-stop terror attacks against Infidel Jews - victims of global jihad. The U.S. EU and UN who advocate a Palestinian state 'living side by side with Israel in peace and security', are cognizant the Islamo-Fascist intent of such a state is a second holocaust of Jews. Arab Muslim children and adults train in terrorist training camps. Ambulances transport terrorists, weapons and bomb belts. Stabbings, shootings, fire-bombings, stonings, drive-by shootings, bombs planted, grenade attacks, rocket and mortar attacks, lynchings, human bomb murder attacks. A very murderous PA society supported by American and European tax dollars, are united in conquering all Israel for Islam - a major goal of global jihad. The raison d'etre of the genocidal PA society is the mass murder of Jewish innocents. Palestinian Authority society are taught murdering Jews is the highest goal in life and attains paradise: http://www.pmw.org.il/AFD.html

This movie is NOT what Palestinian teaches their children. This is another propaganda of those NeoCons and Evangelicals! Palestinians love pease and pray for pease! This production probably done by Mossad and Zioz. Every reasonable Palestinian, like Ray Hanania will tell you it is not true. Arafat told everybody he is for pease and so Hanania. As you know Zionists plot is endless. Just remember 911 and war on innocent Iraq. Their Lobby make you believe, Bush himself is responsible, but the truth is knows by any reasonable pease activists, it’s a lie, AIPAC made him do it, plus not to forget deplited uranium, that coased lots of cancer in palestinians, As a pease loving activist I commend Ray Hanania with courageous stand for Pease. Bombings are NOT a crime, but legitimate weapon for Palestinians. You see, Linda Palestinians don't have Apache helicopters and tanks, so what can they do? If you give them guns, they will kill Israelis in a nice way, but you don't give them, don't you? This is hypocrisy, Linda! Remember, Palestinians are angry and humiliated. Therefor they have a right for resistance. Even UN recognise it... Another thing. Do you know that 3 times more Palestinians died than Israelis? Where is justice here? This is not balanced at all, not just. No justice, no pease. We believe in just pease, not imperialism and ethnic cleansing. We, European human shields solute Ray Hanania for his peaceful articles. Pease and Justice, Hanania. Thanks for you work on behalf of truth! Pease to all.

Pease, You can't be serious! Your diatribe was the most illogical, jingoistic and despicable espousal of "Peace" that I've ever read. Please tell me it was only a crude satire intended to incite and not your true feelings. It was inhumanly abhorrent.

Perfect tile for a stand-up comedian who exhibits a true outsider's ignorance of just about everything North American and to a much lesser extent Christian.

You state: "Bombings are NOT a crime, but legitimate weapon for Palestinians." G-D's commandment: "YOU SHALL NOT MURDER" All humanity will be judged on this Law given by G-D to Moses. Belonging to a certain religion does not give anyone a free pass to break G-D's Laws. In the Bible are the Laws G-D gave to Moses; the Laws our Western civilization is founded on: Exodus 20: "You shall not murder" "You shall not commit adultery" "You shall not steal" "You shall not bear false witness" "You shall not covet" Exodus 21:16 "He who kidnaps a man, whether he sells him or he is found in his possession, shall surely be put to death" Leviticus 24:17 "If a man takes the life of any human being, he shall surely be put to death"

Though not a Christian myself, I play music every week at a Christian church. I never met anybody similar to the description in this essay. I may not agree with Christians about theology, but the ones I have met in my long life are for the most part very sincere in their prayers for peace. Not a peace favoring one party over the other, just peace. Christians in America are as savvy as anybody else, and we ALL take what we see in the media with a grain of salt. Most people I know despise the media, and turn on TV if they have nothing better to do, it's a last resort. As far as believing what the media tells us, we are not fools. If you want an analysis of the American psyche, forget religion - many of us are not very religious, and form our own opinions anyway. Many Christian denominations do not concern themselves with political or international issues, and of those that do, their members are not puppets. In other words, Evangelical Christians are not that big a force in the US. Many in the US support Israel for reasons having nothing to do with religion. I'll just speak for people in my age group, I'm 54. We remember when Israel was a new country, and faced daunting challenges. It is very American to "root for the underdog". We remember the '67 war, and how we all believed Israel would be swallowed up as the forces of surrounding nations threatened. Since that time, we identify with the way Israel meets her duty to protect her citizens. Israel is no longer so much the underdog, but has many accomplishments. It is also very American to respect one who has "pulled himself up by his bootstraps". We identify with Israeli courage and willingness to work. We also take alliances seriously, and Israel is an ally. I think you would find these reasons more prevalent than religious reasons for supporting Israel in the US. Many of us, including many Christians, support the Palestinians financially and in various other ways. Stereotyping to a certain extent is necessary to function in the world, but I would say that most of America has shaken free of racism. We don't hate Arabs, many live among us. We don't hate Palestinians. Speaking just for myself, it seems to me if the Palestinians could just let go of certain ideas, they could be free to have a better future. I think of the Hurricane Katrina victims, who have been for the most part absorbed into different communities. Katrina was unfair, it was the pits, but we all accepted it and tried to figure out where do we go from here. Expecting life to be fair is for children. So the question is not "Whose fault is it?", but "Where do we go from here?".

But, of course. From my experience, I must say, that generally Americans are decent, tolerant and loving people. Not just Christians. I would even say Americans are TOO MUCH tolerant, no question, compared to Europe, coming from my experience. The problem with this “American", he spends too much time in "democracies" like Dubai. He used to talk to their "newspapers" (#70). They wander how he can tolerate “obvious hatred" from posters. You see, those “hateful" Americans need to be taught tolerance as they practice in Dubai... This type… HERE: http://www.engageonline.org.uk/blog/article.php?id=366 HERE: http://www.khaleejtimes.com/Displayarticle.asp?section=theuae&xfile=data/theuae/2005/march/theuae_march896.xml HERE: http://72.14.203.104/search?q=cache:_7F3zPH3970J:www.littlegreenfootballs.com/weblog/%3Fentry%3D16614+Dubai+Jews&hl=en&gl=us&ct=clnk&cd=27 You say: "Speaking just for myself, it seems to me if the Palestinians could just let go of certain ideas, they could be free to have a better future"