printA doff of the hat to Aaron Biterman (read his just-published libertarian defense of Israel) for making me aware of Rand Paul’s eminently reasonable position with respect to Israel. The more I learn about Rand Paul, the more I like him, although I don’t support economic sanctions against any country or foreign aid to any country:
The United States Special Relationship with Israel
The American Spectator
By Dr. Rand Paul
Candidate, United States Senate
Israel and the United States have a special relationship. With our shared history and common values, the American and Israeli people have formed a bond that unites us across the many thousands of miles between our countries and calls us to work together towards peace and prosperity for our countries.
The free trade agreement that has existed, and been subsequently strengthened, between our countries since 1985 is a tremendous mutual benefit. As a United States Senator, I would work against the growing protectionist sentiment in our country and defend free trade with Israel.
I would never vote to place trade restrictions on Israel, and I would filibuster any attempts to place sanctions on Israel or tariffs on any Israeli goods.
The issue of Palestine is incredibly difficult and complex. The entire world wishes for peace in the region, but any arrangement or treaty must come from Israel, when she is ready and when her conditions have been met.
I strongly object to the arrogant approach of Obama administration, itself a continuation of the failures of past U.S. administrations, as they push Israel to make security concessions behind thinly veiled threats.
Only Israel can decide what is in her security interest, not America and certainly not the United Nations. Friends do not coerce friends to trade land for peace, or to give up the vital security interests of their people.
As a United States Senator, I would never vote to condemn Israel for defending herself.
Whether it is fighting Hezbollah in Lebanon, combating Hamas-linked terrorists in Gaza or dealing with potential nuclear threats in the Persian Gulf, Israeli military actions are completely up to the leaders and military of Israel, and Israel alone.
It is not the place of outsiders to meddle or pass judgment or to use our power or relationship to force Israel to go against her own interest for the sake of “peace.”
Peace is a laudable goal. But it is just that – a goal. It is not an end at any cost.
It makes no sense to me that the United States provides Arab countries hostile to Israel with $12 billion in annual financial and military aid. Many of the weapons that Israel would face in a Middle Eastern conflict would have come directly from our government. I find this appalling. In the Senate, I would strive to eliminate all aid to countries that threaten Israel.
Finally, Iran has become increasingly bellicose towards Israel. Thankfully, Israel has one of the bravest, most elite military forces in the world. I would never vote to prevent Israel from taking any military action her leaders felt necessary to end any Iranian threat.
Just as the United States would not follow the will of another country in the face of our national security, we shall not limit the options of Israel in this area.
Finally, I believe the United States should increase the pressure on Iran. I would mandate that all publicly managed investment funds divest from Iran immediately.
We should not be subsidizing any company that does business with Iran, and we should not allow U.S. companies or those with funds from U.S. taxpayers to enrich Iran through its national energy program. I would fight to end all subsides to American corporations that do business with Iran, including so-called renewable energy companies that work through Brazil to provide support to Iran and empower its dictators dangerous nuclear saber rattling.”
[SNIP]
Go to our archives, and click on the Israel category for the case for Israel. Recommended:
THE NATURE OF THE JEWISH STATE
FOAMING AT THE MOUTH OVER ISRAEL
LIBERTARIANS WHO LOATHE ISRAEL
ISRAEL BELONGS TO THE JEWS
ISRAEL: ISLAND OF JUSTICE IN THE MIDDLE EAST
OPPOSITE SIDES OF THE FENCE
ISRAEL’S SANITY AMONG SAVAGERY
THE FINAL SOLUTION TO THE JEWISH STATE
To Rand Paul: Right on, right on. Great stuff. I wonder when American Jews are going to start supporting Israel that way.
I’m glad to see Dr. Paul supports Israel. Many of his Libertarian supporters will not be happy when they read this. He seems to be a stronger supporter of Israel than his father.
Great commentary by Rand Paul. I was also pleased to see that Mr. Biterman linked to you in his excellent article.
Perhaps there is yet hope for libertarians, in general, on the subject of Israel…
One thing that Israel does not need is to be made further DEPENDENT on American “help” the way Kennedy “helped” the Diem government of South Vietnam. Israel must stand on its own and the US should not join the anti-civilization chorus in limiting it. What Rand Paul said is fine although I would exercise great caution at getting too involved against Iran.
Ironically, there are some libertarians at the LewRockwell.com site (David Kramer in particular) to whom Israel is the evil empire and anything it does in self-defense is pure evil. Other nonsense sometimes comes from Paul Craig Roberts, Buchanan, and the latest from Justin Raimondo:
http://original.antiwar.com/justin/2010/06/06/our-enemies-the-israelis/
who tend to go criticize Israel while saying nothing about far worse transgressions by North Korea or Syria or other nations. In fact, some of these libertarians consider the UN some arbiter of international moral authority. These essays go beyond issues of foreign aid to issues of Israel’s existence and/or self-defense.
Rand Paul has an intellectually healthier version of non-interventionism that does not slide into pro-Islamism and anti-Western/anti-Israel diatribes.
This is close but off topic, since Rand Paul wasn’t the subject but a few Jews in LA stood up to a Arab protest. Gutsy kid in the lead. “http://www.debbieschlussel.com/22756/video-brave-kid-couldnt-do-this-in-dearbornistan/” the last comments by the Arabs was real interesting.
I find Dr. Rand Paul’s words here to be refreshing and well said. While I have some respect for his father, Ron Paul descends into all sort of dangerous paranoid delusions when he starts speaking of the Middle East. Rand avoids all that. He comes across as both thoughtful and rational when speaking of Israel here.
Meanwhile, the Serbian conservative columnist Serge Trifkovic has written an interesting piece on Israel that everyone should read.
On another front, the Federal government is trying to deport Mosab Hassan Yousef, the so-called “Son of Hamas”. Apparently a Muslim converting to Christianity and spying for Israel are considered deportable offenses, while being a radical jihadist from Pakistan will gain you citizenship in this country.
Rand Paul has a reasonable approach to foreign policy
When a majority of Americans adopt this principle, we as a Country will be far better off
Better late than never!
Meanwhile, when it comes to Israel Dr. Ron Paul, unlike his son, and like Pat Buchanan, abandons all reason and comes across as a member of the anti-Semitic, pro-Muslim left. If only Ron Paul and Pat Buchanan would have remained silent on this matter, rather then dabbling in anti-Semitic conspiracy theories and pro-Arab dhimmitude.