Reply #27: I hear it too. Doesn't change the fact Israel is a red herring most of the time.

[Behind the Aegis]

IMO, the "defense of Israel" argument is often used to cast blame on Israel and deflect from the target of the real blame. The US, like much of the rest of the world, doesn't give two shits about Israel, and she knows it. I am certain to more than a few lawmakers feel actions in the ME are beneficial to Israel, but most know it is clearly not the case. The only way the US 'protects' Israel is by its loans and, as you said, buying off Egypt and Jordan. The whole "it's to protect Israel, the only ME democracy" is as much a red herring as the Arab/Muslims nations "we hate the US because of their ties to the Zionist entity and the repression of the Palestinian people." While I believe they do hate the US alliance with Israel, a nation of Jews, the idea it is because of the struggle of the Palestinian people would be laughable were it not so sad.

The "its for Israel" mantra is nothing more than an excuse and is not only used as a weapon against Israel by the Arab/Muslim world, but by those in this country, on both sides of the political spectrum. Americans are no more dying for Israel than they are dying for democracy in Iraq!