<The Israeli lobby in the U.S. is far too strong, and the fact that they're backed up by the amen corner doesn't help.

Depends on which side you’re on. I think it helps a great deal. Not because I support Israel -- I personally do not -- but because I very much dislike Arafat and his idea of Nobel peace. I'm not for Israel, but I am against what Palestine has become.

A very large chunk of the American population believes Israel to be the chosen people and to be supported at all cost lest you go to hell.

This must be a personal region-thing.

Actually, Israel was promised to the Jews by G-d. As such, when G-d deems the time to be right, Israel will be given to the Jews. If the Jews have to fight for it, then it was obviously not given to them.

Some people are simply impatient to get to the Promised Land.

One of the biggest con jobs in history.

I’ve seen better. Enron comes readily to mind, not to mention the purchase of Manhattan Island from the initial settlers. How about Watergate? So long as Israel is recognized by the UN, it remains a country.

If we were to stop giving Israel financial aid, they'd collapse within a couple of years.

You apparently have no idea how many Jewish centers there are around the world that support Israel through contributions. Israel, a nation not all that much larger than the city of Washington, DC, will be around for a long, long time, even without US support.

Dan