I appreciate the time you took to respond. If I may, I'd like to clarify a few things.
First of all, I think you may have me pinned all wrong, thinking I'm some 'liberal' or 'progressive' college kid or something.
I served in the US Army for 4 years during the 'War on Terror' after 9/11 and trained with Israeli officers as a Warrant Officer and pilot, so... there's some context for you. If you think I have any adoration for Islamic fundamentalists that shoot at us, you'd be grossly mistaken.
I'm not a pacifistic, nor an isolationist. However, I am critical of US foreign policy - especially having been in the military during this country's 20+ year 'war on terror' and various interventions and nation building efforts that have (mostly) been an abject failure.
Libya is a catastrophe after the US intervention there, ISIS is more active than ever (especially having expanded into Africa and Afghanistan), terrorism is up 7,000%. It's a lot worse than 'whack-a-mole'. US (and Israeli) military responses have greatly exacerbated terrorism by fueling the conditions that lead to it.
I'm concerned for Israel - not because I adore Hamas - but because I think Netenyahu is leading Israel down the primrose path - much like how Ukraine was lead to its destruction by the US gassing it up to fight a proxy war on its behalf that was completely avoidable. You'll probably disagree with that assertion if you're less familiar with Ukraine (where I've been twice) but I can assure you that the US has done Ukraine no favors.
And yes, I'm opposed to military aid to Ukraine too, because it's sacrificing Ukrainian life for US interests - but also because it is significantly increasing the risk of a nuclear conflict with Russia.
But - that's not even the right question really. The question is: Could the war have been avoided in the first place? And yes, it absolutely could have, yet the US insisted on drawing Ukraine and Russia into conflict for its own benefit.
The US doesn't 'stand' with Ukraine - it has sacrificed Ukraine, similar to how the US sacrificed the Kurds after being our staunchest allies in Iraq during the fight against ISIS. The US has largely abandoned the translators and Afghans that assisted us there as well.
I fear the same thing might be happening to Israel. I'm afraid Netenyahu is pursuing a US-style war of 'force projection' and pre-emptive strikes (most likely at the advice of US advisors and strategists, and with US weaponry).
The risk for Israel, is following the US example of becoming embroiled in a never-ending conflict that does little to actually reduce the risk of terrorism (and in fact most likely will increase that risk), while draining the embattled nation of resources and wrecking its economy.
Israel does have a larger/stronger economy than its regional peers, but it is not limitless, and there is only a finite number of military-age youth that can be sent through the meat grinder before that resource is soon depleted too (as is happening with the Ukrainians).
Ukraine cannot win. It's simply a numbers game. Russia can throw men at this for years and still have yet more to throw away long after Ukraine has no one left to fight. It was reckless for the US to spur Ukraine into fighting a war that will inevitably end in painful concessions for it anyways.
Likewise, if US support for Israel wanes (which is not outside the realm of possibility), Israel will be extremely exposed and left to fight a war on multiple fronts that the US helped back - but then walks away from seeing it through. I'm not sure the American public has the will to back another 20+ year war on behalf of an ally, especially considering that the next administration seems to be itching for other conflicts with Iran and China while also far more unilateral and isolationist in regards to our existing allies.
Israel could be an ally in a conflict with Iran - but on the other hand, what happens to Israel if/when the US decides to leave that sandbox and take its toys with it in order to focus on a possible future conflict with Russia or China? Again, this is not inconceivable.
Israel's economy is already hurting due to this war, and many Israelis are leaving the country in record numbers to live elsewhere, taking valuable skills and labor with them - the 'brain drain is real' and big risk to Israel's economy. Can it sustain a US-style 20+ year war or occupation of Lebanon - especially if the US eventually loses interest and backs out?
There were serious lapses along the border that - obviously though not the 'cause' of the horrific Oct. 7 attacks - indicate an obvious failure and breakdown of security posture. Am I saying this because I 'hate Jews' as you might allege? If I hated Jews or Israel, I wouldn't be wasting my time here trying to explain how much I worry that this war is a terrible mistake that could ultimately lead to Israel's demise and abandonment by the international community and even the US. I think Israel is playing right into the trap Hamas has set for it and Netenyahu.
The IDF is a professional, modern fighting force, but their leadership and soldiers are just as susceptible to negligence and complacency as any other military/defense force. They are in no way inferior for being Jewish - nor are they superior. They are human just the same and not infallible or without fault. Realizing that there is a serious problem and lapses that need to be addressed in the way borders are monitored and secured in the aftermath of Oct. 7 is a tactical reality and fact - not 'pro-Hamas' propoganda or anti-semitism or whatever such nonsense.
I think the vast quantities of offensive (rather than defensive) weaponry that the US is now supplying is actually a terrible mistake - not because I wish Israel to fail or its people to be harmed - but because it is fueling a conflict that could lead to that very outcome.
Military aid can be a curse if it is the noose the recipient hangs themself with. We're seeing that in Ukraine. I fear Israel could follow suit.
I think it's important to bear in mind that the US empire does not inherently have the best interests of other countries in mind. It has merely its own interests that it defends and if supporting other countries is conducive to those interests, then it will support them. But, it will also walk away as soon as interests don't align.
Israel (and Israelis) need to think very carefully about how dependent they wish to become on foreign aid for their security, and perhaps focus on spending its finite resources on strengthening the borders it clearly struggled to defend on Oct. 7 instead; rather than using American-supplied weaponry to engage in invasions and occupations of Gaza and its neighbors. Americans are right to question if their aid is doing more harm than good.
Israel is a world leader in defensive weaponry and systems (like Iron Dome and David's Sling). It is good at counter-insurgency operations. It collaborates with the US intelligence and defense apparatus (as you mentioned).
However, the IDF is primarily a defense force. It is not set up for US-style expeditionary warfare, which I fear it is trying to attempt, and overextending itself. Hell, even the US struggles to secure victories in expeditionary war, and it has infinitely more resources to fail with than Israel.
Furthermore, when the US fails, or draws the ire/wrath of an entire region after trying to occupy and control it for 20+ years (like Afghanistan), it can simply retreat back to the safety of the US - surrounded by 2 friendly countries and 2 oceans. It's citizens are rarely in harm's way (except for terrorist attacks like 9/11). Americans are largely insulated from the consequences of war, which is why so many are eager to rush headfirst into it I think.
I see from your bio on this article that you apparently reside in the US as well:
https://blogs.timesofisrael.com/author/mallory-mosner/
Will you be harmed if/when Israel aggravates an even larger conflict with Iran using US-supplied offensive weaponry that could see Tel Aviv facing heavy bombardment?
Israel's citizens are in the direct line of fire, so any risks Israel takes on militarily are more directly shouldered by its citizens - not loudmouths in the USA beating the drums of war.
Judging from what I've read of your writings so far, I would guess that you might say something along the lines that it is a 'privileged' position to 'defend' Palestinians from the comfort of my home in the US while encouraging them to sacrifice themselves for an ill-fated cause.. (Regardless of the fact that my analysis has little to do with Palestinians and everything to do with the military realities faced by Israel).
Is the same not true for those urging Israel on in this conflict, from the safety of the US? Interestingly, I've noticed that many of the most ferociously aggressive voices on here in defense of Israel's current heavy-handed military strategy tend to be those residing in all places except Israel. Have you served in the IDF or the US Military? Are you volunteering to fight in all the wars you advocate sending others off to fight in?
Or.. do you insist that Ukrainians and Israelis 'defend their right to exist' - which is mere code for: die wielding US weaponry in proxy wars that are a 'bargain' for the US empire in terms of the damage done to perceived enemies without risking US life and property?
This is something US and Western politicians openly brag about: how wonderful it is that Ukrainians are willing to fight Russia with our weapons so we don't have to. I would say that it is this that is the privileged position.
For example, this quote from David Cameron cited here https://unherd.com/newsroom/david-cameron-ukraine-war-good-value-for-money-us/
I argue that it is extremely good value for money for the United States and for others,” Cameron said. “Perhaps for about five or 10% of your defence budget, almost half of Russia’s pre-war military equipment has been destroyed without the loss of a single American life. This is an investment in United States security.
The US empire thinks in terms of 'return on investment' in regards to the number of foreign soldiers killed defending US interests. I would posit that Israel is certainly part of the US empire umbrella of client states financed to serve US interests. Otherwise, the US wouldn't bother sending weapons and money to them to help their people die on our behalf. Is this not the most supremely privileged of positions?
I get that you're sensitive and easily-triggered whenever you feel that criticisms of the war are coming from a position of remote sympathy towards the Palestinians, and while I certainly think that consideration for the plight of the Palestinians is also valid, I would suggest that it is not the sole reason that many - including veterans - criticize this war, or the policies of Israel, especially under Netenyahu.
I think the ultimate proof of this, is that many of the Oct. 7 hostages' families are highly critical of Netenyahu too, and the way this war is being conducted. Do you think they're all Palestinian 'sympathizers' or haters of Jews as well because they criticize their leadership's ill-fated policies?
Compare the number of hostages released through negotiation/prisoner swaps (at least 100) vs. the number rescued directly through military operations (around 8). How many hostages have died in botched rescue operations? In terms of securing the hostages release and safety (if that is indeed an objective as claimed), then what has been more effective? Insistence on war and retributive reprisal attacks? Or, diplomacy/negotiation? I think that's the proof right there.
Is Netenyahu using US military aid to secure the hostages release, or to perpetuate a war that serves his own narrow interests to cling to power - probably at the behest of his US backers? The hostages' families seem to feel that it is the latter:
So yes, I think it is perfectly just - and even necessary - to support the revocation of aid and support to allied governments who are using it in a way that is detrimental to their own people and regional peace/stability. If Israel is in fact being used as a pawn in a larger proxy war between the US and Iran, then that is truly appalling, and I see no reason why I should fund the sacrifice of an ally in order to serve 'greater' US imperial 'interests'.
Incidentally, I also trained with Saudis during my time in the military. I think US support for the Saudi regime is appalling, given its human rights records and authoritarian nature - not that the US has ever shied away from backing awful regimes when it was in its interest to do so. The Saudi war in Yemen has caused a humanitarian disaster similar to that of Gaza, and is fueling - not crushing - the rise of groups like the Houthis.
I think you're being rather disingenuous in claiming that my opposition to US arms sales to Saudi Arabia is somehow 'proof' of my hatred of Israel or its people because they are Jewish. You're trying to draw some sort of false equivalency that I never made, alleging that I put Saudi Arabia in the same 'league' as Israel when it comes to human rights. I never claimed that. You did.
Yes, I also happen to oppose the current Israeli military operations for all the reasons I've outlined here (none of which have anything to do with my alleged contempt for Jews - but rather, concern that they are being led to their destruction). This has little to no relevance regarding my objections to arming Saudi Arabia.
You are exceptionally motivated to cast me as a Jew-hater though, aren't you? I guess there's nothing I can do about that besides what I've done here in giving a measured and rational explanation for why I believe this war to be a bad deal for Israel and its people. If I didn't care, I wouldn't have bothered trying to explain any of this.
But regardless, I won't be shocked if this is all dismissed away as me 'attempting to rationalize my Jew hate' and then used as irrefutable 'proof' of my rabid antisemitism...
Frankly, this routine is getting really obnoxious. I'm starting to wonder if perhaps I should start resenting Jews, if I'm always going to be berated like this simply for giving a damn about their plight or taking an interest in the survival of the Israeli population.
Maybe I shouldn't care if Israel wrecks itself with Netenyahu at the helm, using US weaponry to do so if it angers Jews to this extent when I try to urge against that course of action. Perhaps I am 'privileged' for trying to care too much, like the little social justice warrior that I'm sure you think I am.
