How does Israel stay intact?

[Kuan]

Despite what reservations any of you have about Israel, I think it's pretty damn amazing how they've managed to remain a nation despite the efforts of their neighbors. For example:

1949, after independence, six Arab nations try to invade Israel. They get their asses kicked.

1956, Israel siezes Suez Canal in a show of force against Egypt.

1967, Israel kicks more ass, crushing the combined forces of Jordan, Egypt, and Syria

Yom Kippur 1973, Egypt, Syria, and Iraq join forces to attack Israel and once again have their heads handed to them on a platter

1982, Israel again manages to embarass a large Syrian army in Lebanon

[t walgamuth]

isreal is fighting for survival each time.

the other countries are fighting for what, pride?

fighting for survival always makes for a clear head and a big heart.

i read a description of one of the arab armies once, i cannot remember which one, it went like this...

so the army left its home base on the way to attack isreal. when it left it was well equipped and well supplied. trucks and jeeps had spare tires, jacks and jerry cans of fuel. extra ammo guns etc. at the first stop someone sold the spare tires, the second, the jerry cans of fuel, the third stop the jack, etc. by the time they engaged the enemy the tanks and trucks were running out of fuel, the guns were breaking down and they were short on ammo.

so you get the idea.

this was one person's observation.

tom w

[Chas H]

A lot of it is due to massive amouts of money and weapons given to them by us. Our per capita financial aid to Isreal excedes the per capita income of some nations. Money talks.

[Matt SD300]

Prophecy...

[MTI]

Merely consider how England survived in WWII.

[Hatterasguy]

Lots of will power and guns.

[Botnst]

Originally Posted by MTI

Merely consider how England survived in WWII.

"Never give in--never, never, never, never, in nothing great or small, large or petty, never give in except to convictions of honour and good sense. Never yield to force; never yield to the apparently overwhelming might of the enemy.''

The speech was made 29 October 1941 to the boys at Churchill's old public school, Harrow.

[Kuan]

I heard a theory once which said the rise of the Muslim state was a direct result of Israel's establishment as a Jewish state. It's not arms that win wars, it's religion.

I can't remember where I heard it. Anyone?

[LaRondo]

Originally Posted by Kuan

Despite what reservations any of you have about Israel, I think it's pretty damn amazing how they've managed to remain a nation despite the efforts of their neighbors. For example:

1949, after independence, six Arab nations try to invade Israel. They get their asses kicked.

1956, Israel siezes Suez Canal in a show of force against Egypt.

1967, Israel kicks more ass, crushing the combined forces of Jordan, Egypt, and Syria

Yom Kippur 1973, Egypt, Syria, and Iraq join forces to attack Israel and once again have their heads handed to them on a platter

1982, Israel again manages to embarass a large Syrian army in Lebanon

Billions and Billions and Billions .... of foreign countries' support.

[t walgamuth]

Originally Posted by Kuan

I heard a theory once which said the rise of the Muslim state was a direct result of Israel's establishment as a Jewish state. It's not arms that win wars, it's religion.

I can't remember where I heard it. Anyone?

i don't think that it is correct to call isreal a jewish state. it is a democratic country which is inhabited by quite a few jews.

tom w

[GottaDiesel]

Originally Posted by LaRondo

Billions and Billions and Billions .... of foreign countries' support.

And just imagine what that money could do for our country!

[Kuan]

Originally Posted by t walgamuth

i don't think that it is correct to call isreal a jewish state. it is a democratic country which is inhabited by quite a few jews.

tom w

Perhaps not technically, but through the eyes of a Muslim?

[MTI]

Originally Posted by GottaDiesel

And just imagine what that money could do for our country!

History would suggest that we would just piss it away on some other misadventure.

[t walgamuth]

Originally Posted by Kuan

Perhaps not technically, but through the eyes of a Muslim?

agreed, but still not accurate.

tom w

[Botnst]

Hmm, I thought Israel was de jure, a Jewish state. They have laws that favor Jewish immigration and discourage immigration by non-Jews, for example. That Jewish state business is the one attribute of Israel that most disturbs me -- a theocratic democracy. With the increasing power of the Sephardic and Orthodox parties, secularism is under a lot of pressure.

Unless Israel can figure-out a way to become more secular and learn how to absorb non-Jews, they are destined to live in perpetual war.

B