Israel must stay the hell out of U.S. debate on Iraq

http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/836953.html
Ehud Olmert suffers from a learning disability found at times among people who know themselves to be brilliant:

They fail to learn the first thing.

Take the debate within the United States over the war in Iraq.

The first thing for an Israeli prime minister to know about the debate is this: Stay the hell out of it.

The second thing might well be: If you're thinking about addressing the American Jewish community on an issue of intense sensitivity, take a long second look before you say the first thing that comes to mind.
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Just what the fuck were they thinking? aipac could not have done a better job at showing its extremism this week.

I am Pro-Israel, and I think that's exactly why Israeli interests need to exercise the utmost discretion.

Yes, Israel has a great interest in the security of the region. However, right or wrong (or some combination thereof) Israel is the source of much tension and target of much hatred in the Middle East. If Israel advocates an action or view and the U.S. takes it (even if our govt would have made the same decision w/o Israel's influence), we will be seen as acting on Israel's behalf and we will lose (more) legitimacy in the region.

The ONLY valid argument for not pulling out of Iraq is if one can truly demonstrate that we can make a difference there in stopping (or decreasing) the slaughter and that being there is the humane thing to do, and the only thing preventing another Rwanda or Sudan. Not "the terrorists will have won" b.s. or 'cos Israel wants it. But, I don't know that the argument (we're saving lives) can truly be made.

why we are there to begin with, I'm sure there is an irresistible urge to enter the debate for their own interests.

They are probably still expecting to get some of the oil from Iraq.