Common interests unite U.S., Israel

[Ian David]

Common interests unite U.S., Israel
BY FRIDA GHITIS
[e-mail]

American politics can baffle outside observers. Some issues are so devoid of controversy that speaking about them is as safe as using puppies or babies to sell your products. Everyone will nod in approval. Details aside, all candidates proudly announce the obvious. They believe in education and national security. Every would-be president wants America prosperous and strong and healthy. And almost all major politicians profess strong and unbreakable support for the state of Israel. Specifics, which matter greatly, vary between candidates, but America's commitment to a strong relationship with Israel remains one of the unique traits that define the United States.

Like it or not, that trait remains in evidence in this election. Despite their sharp differences over many issues, including many aspects of foreign policy, Sens. John McCain and Barack Obama have expressed their deepest commitment to Israel's security.

Obama says ''the fundamental premise of Israel and the need to preserve a Jewish state that is secure is, I think, a just idea and one that should be supported here in the United States and around the world.'' McCain has a track record of explicitly staunch support and unwavering commitment to the principle that, ``in a world full of dangers, Israel and the United States must always stand together.''

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Pro-Israel groups are very effective, but not enough to account for the extraordinary relationship between the two countries. And those who think ''Jewish money'' plays the key role forget that few countries have more money than oil-rich Arab nations that also lobby heavily in Washington. But they don't enjoy the passionate and widespread backing that Israel has throughout the United States and across the political spectrum -- from Sen. Joe Biden's ''no one in the United States Senate has been a better friend to Israel than Joe Biden,'' to Gov. Sarah Palin's ``Israel is our strongest and best ally in the Middle East.''

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