J Jared's Slush Fund Riyadh · 9h ago The issues with Israel that the right wing refuses to grapple with, and that Bret neglects here: 1. The US doesn't fund, via tax dollars, other regimes with massive human rights violations, especially to the same tune. Israel is the largest recipient of any country of US aid. We don't fund China, Burma, Iran, Russia and others, though Trump has certainly aided the latter two with his sanctions reductions. And I'm sure if you asked the people who condemn Israel, they would condemn US money going the Saudis, for example, just the same. They still get less than Israel. 2. Israel claims it's "the only democracy in the Middle East" but then engages in antidemocratic behavior that Bret concedes. And, then only wants comparisons to the Middle East. If Israel is such a vibrant democracy, it should compare itself to democracies. Israel supporters will say things about how Iran treats minorities. Yes, they treat them horribly. But not only do we not fund Iran, but democracies don't mistreat minorities, period. Does Denmark have government members that are celebrate terrorism? Does Canada have roving bands of settlers that murder minorities with impunity? 3. Israel is the only country I am aware of whose "leadership" walked into the Situation Room and urged a US "leader" to start a war. That is abhorrent. Yes, Trump and his goons deserve blame but how can Israel be absolved?

 

Hatred of Israel and the Degradation of the West

By Bret Stephens

Opinion Columnist