Ron Paul Says He's Not Anti-Israel
Ron Paul is the only presidential candidate who doesn't embrace the idea that the United States has an obligation to provide economic, military and diplomatic support to Israel.
This could be taken as an extension of Paul's non-interventionist foreign policy, which calls for all nations to be treated neutrally—no foreign aid and no "entangling alliances," as he frequently argues.
Paul's critics contend that his approach would expose Israel to a mortal threat from hostile neighbors. And his views have also been invoked by critics to charge that he is anti-Semitic, or, at the very least, that his campaign has become a magnet for people who hate Jews.
I asked him during an interview on Sunday to explain why those who call themselves pro-Israel shouldn't feel threatened by his candidacy.
"No foreign aid means that we've cut off all the aid to all the enemies of Israel," he said. "And they get three times as much money as Israel gets. And Israel is the powerhouse in the Middle East, so they're going to stay strong and defend themselves.
"I'm defending the sovereignty of Israel," Paul continued. "We shouldn't have a veto over what they want to do with their borders. We shouldn't have a veto on their peace process. And if we weren't there interfering and telling them what they can and can't do, I think they would have more peace overtures.
"I think the Persian Gulf War would have been handled a lot differently. I think Saddam Hussein would have been taken care of early on, with some Muslim countries and Israel getting together, because they have the firepower and nobody wanted him there. Instead, we went in there half-heartedly and war went on since 1990. It's the same war, and it's going to go on a lot longer. I think Israel, if they had the responsibility of taking care of themselves—they would have been a lot better off."
He also said that a healthier debate about the U.S.-Israel relationship takes place in Israel than in the United States.
"I don't know what percentage in Israel would agree with a lot of what I say—maybe a third, or more," Paul said. "Sometimes Labor even wins over there, and they take a much different approach. But in this country, if you talk like a Labor Party member, you're challenged as being anti-Israel. That, I think, is an unfair charge.”
- Poll
- Obama (D)
- McCain(R)
- Spread
- RCP Average
- 45.8
- 41.6
- Obama +4.2
- Candidate
- Favorable
- Unfavorable
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- Obama
- 55.6
- 33.0
- +22.6
- McCain
- 52.6
- 34.3
- +18.3
One of the things I really like about Ron Paul is that his ideas make sense. No doubt Isreal with some Arab neighbors would have been able to handle Saddam quicker than our small coalition, which soon will be in there for two decades.
"I think the Persian Gulf War would have been handled a lot differently. I think Saddam Hussein would have been taken care of early on, with some Muslim countries and Israel getting together, because they have the firepower and nobody wanted him there. Instead, we went in there half-heartedly and war went on since 1990. It's the same war, and it's going to go on a lot longer. I think Israel, if they had the responsibility of taking care of themselves—they would have been a lot better off."
"I asked him during an interview on Sunday to explain why those who call themselves pro-Israel shouldn't feel threatened by his candidacy."
If you Pro-Israel, than what the hell are you doing voting in an American election?
Personally, I support Israel, but I do not want my government doing so. The US gives more aid to Israel's sworn enemies than to Israel. Funny, how we arm all sides and then we can't understand why the situation keeps escalating???
Let's end all payments to all foreign governments. Vote for Ron Paul!
There's not a racist, or anti-semitic bone in Dr Paul's body. He is a man of absolute principle. ALL his positions are derived directly from the Constitution. How can that be a bad thing?
America NEEDS this man to be President. There's a financial tsunami coming, and only Dr Paul has the solutions to repair the damage and protect America.
This is the greatness of Ron Paul. He can tell the Zionist, Israel-First media and supporters that it is in Israel "best" interest not to have a parasitic relationship with the United States. As a Jewish anti-Zionist, I am overjoyed at the possibilities. The Neo-Cons have to be stopped!
This guy is amazing. Check this out, from his website ronpaul2008 dot com:
Brief Overview of Congressman Paul’s Record:
He has NEVER voted to raise taxes.
He has NEVER voted for an unbalanced budget.
He has NEVER voted for a federal restriction on gun ownership.
He has NEVER voted to raise congressional pay.
He has NEVER taken a government-paid junket.
He has NEVER voted to increase the power of the executive branch.
He voted AGAINST the Patriot Act.
He voted AGAINST regulating the Internet.
He voted AGAINST the Iraq war.
He DOES NOT participate in the lucrative congressional pension program (!!)
He RETURNS a portion of his annual congressional office budget to the U.S. treasury every year!
I personally do not support Israel, and no I am not anti-sematic. In travels to the middle east for work you see a different side of things you don't see in the states. They are doing horrible things to the palestinians, so for me its a moral issue.
RON PAUL RON PAUL RON PAUL!!! THE ONLY REAL PATRIOT RUNNING FOR US PRESIDENT!!!
Real conservatives have always supported low taxes and low spending.
But today, too many politicians and lobbyists are spending America into ruin. We are nine trillion dollars in debt as a nation. Our mounting government debt endangers the financial future of our children and grandchildren. If we don’t cut spending now, higher taxes and economic disaster will be in their future — and yours.
In addition, the Federal Reserve, our central bank, fosters runaway debt by increasing the money supply — making each dollar in your pocket worth less. The Fed is a private bank run by unelected officials who are not required to be open or accountable to “we the people.”
Worse, our economy and our very independence as a nation is increasingly in the hands of foreign governments such as China and Saudi Arabia, because their central banks also finance our runaway spending.
We cannot continue to allow private banks, wasteful agencies, lobbyists, corporations on welfare, and governments collecting foreign aid to dictate the size of our ballooning budget. We need a new method to prioritize our spending. It’s called the Constitution of the United States.
http://www.ronpaul2008.com/issues/
If the United States cuts off the money to the middle east, then Israel (a fully modern, industrialized country, with the strongest economy in the region), will need to slightly adjust some of their fiscal policies. That is, they would no longer get billions of dollars and get leaned on to spend that money on US weaponry. Additionally, during a Ron Paul administration, the USA would not interfere in whatever negotiations or security actions Israel might decide to embark upon.
The effect on the Arabs would be rather more serious. Without the US taxpayers to play sugar-daddy and bribe them to pretend to try to keep the Hamas, Fatah and Hezbollah thugs under control, the Arab dictatorships would find themselves in a world of hurt financially, and you can bet that the Saudis wouldn't pony up the difference. That would leave the Arab kleptocrats with a sudden need to improve their trade relations with the rest of the world, not to mention trading with the richest country in their neighborhood, lest they face an economic collapse and lose their heads in the ensuing melee.
Peace with Israel has been very good for Egypt and Jordan. Let's quit helping the other Arab countries to avoid that lesson.
-jcr
Perhaps I have grown too cynical, but I think that base level history references will show us that both American and British national interests in the Middle East, since 1948, coincided perfectly with British and American big oil ventures in the region. Our parry and thrust military activity in the last 60 years has displayed the same primary emphasis and dare I say…coincidence. Listen…it was never primarily about Israel the “only democracy in the region” but just black crude oil, oil and more oil.
Let’s see now…oil has really dropped since we invaded Iraq and stayed the course and effectively brought stability to the region…yeah right!
I strongly suspect that if we ardently were to continue our foreign policy – as John McCain intends for the next one hundred years in Iraq and in his words “my friends, I am going to need your sons and daughters to serve America” (drafting bi-gender) we should be able to squeeze every last drop of oil from the region and secure countless $billions for the same good old boy establishment’s dynasties entrenched in the trade since the end of WWI.
Then what…when the oil is all gone? Well sadly, I am sure we would drop Israel like a hot rock and quit the entire region with no care for their safety or the Arab nations. When is the last time you saw America rise to significant military action in any part of the world that does not have recoverable oil (Darfur, Congo)?
I have never been anti-Semitic. Some of the most loved and respected members of my extended family are Jewish. However, I totally agree with Ron Paul’s foreign policy of American non-interventionism and position on Israel. I respect the nation of Israel and their tenacity, but I regret that America has not helped to bring any stability to the situation in the Middle East in the last 60 years. Tragically we have done the opposite by being the largest arms dealer in the region supplying all sides with the most sophisticated military hardware available. Please remember not months ago we were sending Iran spare parts for their F-14 Tomcats fighter wings we had sold them earlier and this was during a time of Bush/Iran tension? What a farce!
No, they need to peddle the anti-Israel stories to someone else who will believe them – not this kid. Early 1960s…sure, I’m under my school desk and the reds are going to come and gobble me up alive and late 1960s… cool man who could tell me that the domino affect in SE Asia wasn’t just was happening.
NO MORE, NADA, NOTHING DOING FELLA!! Tell it to someone who believes it. Please vote Ron Paul like most active and retired military.
As someone who has served with Israelis and has been trained by them I can say that they will not have anything to worry about. They provided training and weaponry to countries like Guatemala. A third world country with a history of military reign for over 45 years. The Guatemalan special forces are some of the best trained in the world. When it comes to a fight, Israel does NOT FUCK AROUND.
Ron Paul in '08!
Ron Paul is the only candidate addressing economic issues, and monetary policy. Thank you for sticking up for the American people Dr. Paul! You have my vote!
I first became aware of Ron Paul 20 years ago when I read his "Gase for Gold". I was very excited when I learned that this candidate for President is the same man. I agree with almost everything Dr. Paul says, and for similar reasons. What impresses me most is his level-headed approach to foreign policy, and the rasoning for his positions. He says the golden rule applies to whole countries as well as individuals. He is so right! He is saying things that I have beleieved for a long time, and my faith in American politics has been restored that someone can and does take these bold (and truthful) positions and will stand by their principles to make our contry and the world a better place by protecting liberty. GO RON PAUL!
I just wanted to thank all of you for sharing your views on this article. I have never felt more strongly about any other human being views and beliefs as I have with Ron Paul. I strongly feel he is Our Savior for our country as well as to the rest of the world...You go Ron Paul....You have my 100% support all the way. I Love You!!!!!!
RON PAUL FEAR AND LOATHING EXPOSES NEO-CON AND NEO-LIB HATE-BAITERS
In the American Cultural War, the antagonists can be conveniently divided into two broad categories: citizens who are the American People, and citizens who are consumed with fear and loathing of the American People.
As the Ron Paul Rebellion relentlessly advances across America like wildfire, the screams of the damned, Neo-Cons and Neo-Libs, grow louder; especially those of the hate-baiters swarming out of their closets, exposing themselves to the scrutiny of the World: the racist-baiters, anti-Semite baiters, Nazi-baiters, homophobe-baiters, xenophobe-baiters, theocracy-baiters, fascist-baiters, and insane-baiters; those growing cancerous elements that have done so much to give the American People their Ugly American reputation; and to manifest America’s long overdue need for a healthy rebellion, to preserve her sacred Constitution against increasingly dangerous social and economic governmental tyranny; and subversive control over American foreign policies by the bloody China, Mexico, and Israel lobbies.
Amazingly, the entire World knows exactly what is going on; and is cheering for Ron Paul and his rebel army.
Google: Who Would the World Elect; Mearsheimer Israel Lobby and US Foreign Policy; Stricherz Why the Democrats are Blue
To take Ron Paul seriously is a joke...not a good joke...but still a joke. Mr. Paul could not define a reasonable or practical approach to any of the many world issues we face today....even if his life depended on it. How the media has contributed to give recognition to this wrinkled unintelligible human being is quite amazing.
Am a little late to this Ron Paul phenomenon. He has aroused the passions of the disaffected, the marginalized, and the sociopathic fringe in a manner that puts the Deaniac craze of 2004 to shame.
Its hard not to listen to him, read his speeches, review his positions and take him seriously. His view of America, its role in the world, its internal govenment functioning is childish, ignorant and naive.
But watching the passion if his minions is great fun, as long as he polls under 10%. Beyond that, maybe we start to sweat a little.
The two previous quotes are obviously from individuals who are
1) Wealthy
2) have no problem what so ever with soldiers dying daily while companies like Haliburton rake in the cash
3) believe that everything in the Constitution is "childish and naive". (Ron Paul's message comes directly from the U.S. Constitution)
4)Have no explaination why the U.S. promotes democrocy in Iraq and at the same time supports Dictators who overturn democrocy. (Pakistan)
5) have not taken the time to go to Ron Paul's web site and see his views in detail.
6)consider no amnesty to illegal aliens, more personal liberty, less sacrifice of money and lives to propoganda spun wars ( Iraq/WMDs) and a balanced budget something to "sweat over".
If Ron Paul does not get elected, THEN, we will all have something sweat over.
"First they ignore you, then they ridicule you, then they attack you, and finally they elect you." Ghandi
So what people are arguing is they'd rather send 30 Billion dollars to let Israel buy more guns -vs- sending 30 Billion dollars to our own American Citizens in the Hurricane Katrina destroyed New Orleans Area? It sound's like the Israeli Lobby is in bed with our Government. I'm Voting Ron Paul to help Americans, not foreigners.
no such people "palestinians" just Arabs. take a look at the size of the Jewish state "Israel" and all the "Arabs" surrounding that tiny nation and then say it is immoral to help a people who just want to live life as you do.
The fact is that Ron Paul cannot be trusted. He says that he would cut foreign aid to Israel and implies that he would do so with other countries, but he continues to accept money from Islamoterrorists. When called upon to denounce Iran for its threats against Jews and Israel, he voted AGAINST denouncing them. I have no doubt that he, like Iran's criminal leadership is a big fan of the "there was no Holocaust" movement.
Furthermore, there is no question that the Jew-haters and the black-haters are strongly attracted to Ron Paul. In fact, the adoration borders on the obsessive. When low-life scum like that form the core constituency of a candidate, that is all you need to know to reject that candidate. I have no doubt that if Adolph Hitler were reincarnated and running today instead of Ron Paul, these same degenerates would be sending money in to him and posting signs, and putting messages of support for him wherever they could. Deviate obsessions like this are hard to cure.
To bad Ralph. The cat is out of the bag. Your ridicule and calling people kooks doesn't work anymore. We're all onto that. Try talking intelligently about the issues.
The internet is freeing our minds from MSM control. I am happy to be called a Ron Paul kook, as would Thomas Jefferson have been before me.
I am not a racist or a bigot. I have just realized what's going on in the world and it stinks. If Ron Paul doesn't win his party will grow anyway. There are millions of Libertarians and their platform is not much different than Ron Pauls. The only way you will stop this movement is to shut down free speech on the internet and you don't have time.
The writing is on the wall........you lose.
Ron Paul is by far the best candidate running, so with that said I have some things to say about the Israeli and Palestinian conflict. We give a third of the money that we donate to other countries to Israel and that does not include WMD's and the nuclear weapons that we've given them. The money that we do give them has been estimated to about $10 billion a year and they do not have to say where that money goes towards. I'm pretty sure it goes to torment the poor Palestinians that are living in small flats with fifteen people in them or better yet in TENTS! So that's where our money is going....hmmmmm? And for people to say that he is racist, come on! I think that's the exact reason that we have supported Israel for so long because we were afraid to be considered anti-semitic. Just because we don't give money to their government will not mean that we don't like Jewish people. The Zionist are not even liked by orthodox Jews, so does that mean that the orthodox Jews are against Jews? It's not about the races or the religions in this sense, it's about not giving money to the political scene over there. At any rate we should look at the situation as an inhumane case and try and just help the civilians of both Israel and PALESTINE! Okay, so I'm done complaining about this and my last point is that, I agree with Dr.Paul's foreign policy and I think that without it our nation is headed into a deeper and deeper hole.
"A Japanese View of the Palestinians
By Yashiko Sagamori
If you are so sure that " Palestine , the country, goes back through most of
recorded history", I expect you to be able to answer a few basic questions
about that country of Palestine :
When was it founded and by whom?
What were its borders?
What was its capital?
What were its major cities?
What constituted the basis of its economy?
What was its form of government?
Can you name at least one Palestinian leader before Arafat?
Was Palestine ever recognized by a country whose existence, at that time or now, leaves
no room for interpretation?
What was the language of the country of Palestine ?
What was the prevalent religion of the country of Palestine ?
What was the name of its currency? Choose any date in history and tell what
was the approximate exchange rate of the Palestinian monetary unit against
the US dollar, German mark, GB pound, Japanese yen, or Chinese yuan on that
date.
And, finally, since there is no such country today, what caused its demise
and when did it occur?
You are lamenting the "low sinking" of a "once proud" nation. Please tell
me, when exactly was that "nation" proud and what was it so proud of?
And here is the least sarcastic question of all: If the people you
mistakenly call "Palestinians" are anything but generic Arabs collected from
all over -- or thrown out of -- the Arab world, if they really have a
genuine ethnic identity that gives them right for self-determination, why
did they never try to become independent until Arabs suffered their
devastating defeat in the Six Day War? I hope you avoid the temptation to trace the modern day "Palestinians" to the Biblical Philistines: substituting etymology for history won't work here.
The truth should be obvious to everyone who wants to know it. Arab countries
have never abandoned the dream of destroying Israel ; they still cherish it
today. Having time and again failed to achieve their evil goal with military
means, they decided to fight Israel by proxy. For that purpose, they created
a terrorist organization, cynically called it "the Palestinian people" and
installed it in Gaza , Judea, and Samaria . How else can you explain the
refusal by Jordan and Egypt to unconditionally accept back the "West Bank"
and Gaza , respectively?
The fact is, Arabs populating Gaza , Judea, and Samaria have much less claim
to nationhood than that Indian tribe that successfully emerged in Connecticut with the purpose of starting a tax-exempt casino: at least that tribe had a constructive goal that motivated them. The so called "Palestinians" have only one motivation: the destruction of Israel , and in my book that is not sufficient to consider them a "nation" -- or anything
else except what they really are: a terrorist organization that will one day
be dismantled.
In fact, there is only one way to achieve peace in the Middle East . Arab countries must acknowledge and accept their defeat in their war against Israel and, as the losing side should, pay Israel reparations for the more than 50 years of devastation they have visited on it.
The most appropriate form of such reparations would be the removal of their terrorist
organization from the land of Israel and accepting Israel 's ancient sovereignty over Gaza , Judea, and Samaria . That will mark the end of the "Palestinian people."
What are you saying again was its beginning? "