But it often acts like one.

Israel is a fallafel republic , with the same failed useless political system , that promotes cronyism , protectionism, corruption , nepotism and all other ism's that are the make up off any other failed republic. But looking at the foundation of this new republic , that was exactly what our anti emunah founding fathers wanted from this system.

If there is a chance at a lasting peace that involves forcing both Palestinians and Israelis to make concessions that are politically difficult (e.g. giving up land or sharing Jerusalem, something neither really want to do), I certainly hope the US is willing and able to push both into doing whatever it takes to manage that. Far too many lives have been lost in this conflict, and it continues to be a source of instability throughout the world. If Hamas can be completely removed from the political map, Fatah can manage to commit to control its people, Israel can forcibly remove most settlements and share or split Jerusalem, and both sides can manage to hold all that down, a lasting peace might be achieved. If it's doable, no amount of arm-twisting would be too much.

and also because we are not in Latin America and also because the American Banana Corporation was never interested in us But you know those are minor details...cause truth be told we are more of a banana republic than a bowl full of cherries!

but if I recall correctly the "payment" the Foreign Ministry staffers received for posting Mr. Ettinger abroad to was a bowl of soup!!!! In fact somewhere in the archives of the Foreign Ministry are a series of jokes under the title "Ettinger Soup"! So no not a banana republic but perhaps a soupy democracy?!!?!?!?

What an absurd statement by Ettinger . He is someone who cannot look at History and obvioulsy has trouble reading if he could and certainly incapable of learning from it. That immediately qualifies him for a Chair at Harvard, MIT, Stanford ,Oxford or Cambridge

in philadelphia. i am sure they have a family there, and a sympathizing president, why not offer hamas terrorists free entry and half of your city for their own state? why?

Israel is not a banana republic. It is not a colony of any powers. Israel is a sovereign country. America and Israel have the same shared interests in the region. A strong Israel is in America's interests. Israel has all the rights in the world to say NO to the world of the dark forces-Islamist-Jihadists and AntiSemites whose ultimate goal is the destruction of Israel. When the West is being fooled and manipulated by the dark forces to do their dirty work on Israel, Israel can say NO to them. The conflict in the region is not just between Israel and its enemies. The conflict is between GOD and Satan. Satan is behind the dark forces to ravage not just GOD's people but the whole world because his ultimate aim is to dominate the world. It is a cosmic conflict. It is only because of GOD's mercy that the dark forces cannot prevail. In the End Time, the dark forces and the demons that control them will end up in the Lake of Fire.

will feel most comfortable, with their own people, tradition and culture - in the rest of the middle east. and i mean the rest of 99.9 % of the middle east, beside israel, should have enough terrotory for arabs. instead of cramming them amongst jews, in such a tiny spot.

Far too many lives have been lost in this conflict , you wrote . Less , much less than those conflicts where your country is directly engaged in : Irak and Afghanistan .

against Israel. That they don't seek the removal of all of Israel? No don't read very closely to what has been said. Fatah has same goals just a different tacit. But it is still the PLO's plot to destroy Israel any way it can and to turn world opinion against them with 1\2 truths and even more lies. Remember Arafathead always saying "The whole world" I knew a little bit more of the future than he realized. Arafat is in Hell right now! yea.... wake up P listen to what the arab's are really saying... It just same ol same ol.

I am disgusted by America's invasion of Iraq. It was based on a faulty premise and a poor understanding of the world in the BushJr administration, and has opened up conflicts that endanger the west, israel, and anyone in the region. As for Afghenistan, I think it was probably right for the world to invade - the presence of a safe base for Al Qaeda and the political backwardsness of the nation acted as barriers to needed social and political change in the Arab world needed for peace. It is a shame that so many people had to die for such things, but I feel it was worthwhile. I don't have blind obedience to my state, and I hope you don't have blind obedience to yours. I believe we as individuals should speak and act to benefit all of humanity, and should that sometimes entail harsh criticism of where we're from, we should be willing. World citizens are better than national citizens.

Israel has since BG beena banana republic--against its best interst--BG didn't pursue the War of Independence to full victory--Israel dilly-dallied in Sinai--Begin bowed to Carter----and now Olmert and Livni and Barak act only if the US says OK--and of course the lack of action on Israel's part on Pollard--That, dearies, is a banana republic.

Ettinger writes of "shared values," etc., as one of the major reasons that members of Congress buck presidents and support Israel, even when that support is not good for America. What he neglects to say is that our Congress is cowed by the Israeli Lobby. That Lobby demands strict adherence to their will and those members of Congress with the courage to stand up to the Lobby will find lots of money flowing into their district to defeat them. Most members of Congress know that if they want to be returned to office they had better stand up and pledge allegiance to Israel.

Since many years the U.S.A. turns a blind eye on the lack of respect of human rights, lack of liberty for women, lack of religious tolerance, slavery and absence (lack) of basic moral values in many Arab countries and mainly in Saudi Arabia because of its dependency on Arab oil. Israel is the most loyal ally of the U.S.A. in the Middle-East and and they know it. Israel has the undeniable right to exist as the homeland of the Jewish People, to live in peace, safety and tranquillity in its land, the Land of Israel even if that does not suit the Saudis. Insread of pressing Israel, the U.S.A. should strengthen ties with the only ally in the region it can rely on. If you want to understand why the U.S.A. should completely disengage of its dependence on Saudi Arabian oil just consult : http://xrl.us/okxdg

IS a Banana Republic. Moreover, the modern Israel is less then nothing without USA. It's an universe truth, guys. Indeed, who will hug Israel if not its Big Brother? Really, who? You see... The modern Israel will loose its Banana label only when Mashiah comes.

I think you are mixing the transitory with the startegic shift .It is very clear from observing and following Israeli conduct since the war with Iran proxises that Israel is under US tutelage .I donot think the Americans are going to allow you to stop Iran .

I hope Ettinger's article-- which is far more than the usual subjective opinion piece Ynet runs-- is studied and taken seriously by Israel's foreign ministry and upper echelons. Regrettably, too many of the talkbacks here are silly and childish. One more point: Israel needs not only to stay focussed on US reps and senators, but on reps and senators from individual states-- which is the incubator for national leaders. My impression is that this task is usually left to local Jewish federations and friendly Jewish lobbying. ( Maybe that's the best way, maybe not-- I'm not sure. )

2009 is not 1992 and Obama is not a Bush or a Carter...And Hillary is certainly not Rodgers or Baker. They are smart, committed and have better relations with American Jwry than Bibi. Bibi will take on America and Europe at his peril. How ironic given the successes of the Olmert/Livni government in repairing Israel's diplomatic posture in the West. a 2 state solution and a treaty with return of the Golan are an inevitability --unless a one state binational state is one's dream.

I was trying to understand what the U.S pressure means so I read the whole article. and I found out that you mean it is the pressure used by the U.S to get to a peace situation that would last and end the radicalism situation from both parties the Arabs and Israelis and replace it by peace. but our mythologies that some times comes from other books than the holy ones tell us not to do peace and the thoughts full of the return of the Messiah to end all problems by a bigger problem keeps us where we are not moving one step forward towards sanity and reason. that is why we struggle and play around for tens of years just like you are saying Israel did just to get around all chances of peace to be made.