AboutLeon Gork Expertise I can answer questions on Jewish history and religion, especially the relationship between Judaism and other religions and questions about every aspect of Israel
Experience I've been a tour guide for more than 25 years in Israel and I've taught Jewish History and Religion in various schools at high school level
Organizations Israel Tour guides association
Education/Credentials BA in comparitive Semitic Languages and 5 years of university study in Jewish philosophy
Expert: Leon Gork Date: 7/6/2008 Subject: Israeli - USA as allies
Question QUESTION: What occurred, initially and since, that has created this bond between Israel and the US?
What has brought about our strong support of their military since that time. Are we linked by economics, religion, life's views?
Thank you.
Don
ANSWER: This is a key question because America's policy since the beginning of the century has been to develop good relations with the Arab world. I don't think that Israel's contribution to the American economy can compare even slightly with that cotributed by the Arab world. Just look at the numbers of Jews compared to the number of Arabs.
So the question needs to be answered, but before that one needs to ask whether the US is really as supportive of Israel's military policy as people imagine it to be.
The fact is that the US only supports Israel's military activities when such support is beneficial in promoting US foreign policy.
The US uses Israel as a sort of big stick against the Arabs; Arab countries that don't perform as the US want them to, the US sends in the Israelis. Mostly US interests in the need to discipline the Arabs coincides with Israel's security interests.
Israel only has security interests in any military action taken against the Arabs. Don't forget that it's also in our interests to have good relations with the Arabs. Our economy needs that peaceful relationship. Therefor we'll do everything to avoid confrontation with the Arabs.
The Arabs are aware of this and so continue to develop their strength and boastfully talk about destroying Israel.
There is nothing Israel can do to prevent those preparations without US support. We are a very small country, not a world power. Our foreign policy doesn't involve conquest or imperialism only survival.
Don't forget that the US is a democracy and so is Israel. This is something important that the two have in common.
The US is interested that the Arab world also become democratic. This is a serious goal of US foreign policy and should't be underestimated as a factor in the US support for Israel.
---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------
QUESTION: Thank you for your insiteful reply. In the past few years,I have developed an interest in biblical prophecy. Of interest, of course, is the rebuilding of the temple. But, the prophesies also say that Israel will become wealthy. That suggests the possibility that some large oil reserve might be uncovered in your country. While I associate "being wealthy" to financial assets, that isn't necessarily the case. The prophecy, if it comes true, could mean that your country might become wealthy in some other way. We could speculate on what that "other way" might be.
As you probably have judged by now, I am certainly no expert on Israel. However, I just finished a book entitled "Salvation is from the Jews". I am learning.
Thanks again for your prompt reply.
Don
Answer The Bible wasn't written so that men could tell the future. In fact the Bible clearly prohibits man from foretelling the future. Leviticus 20:27, Deuteronomy 18:14 and many other verses.
The function of the Prophets of the Bible is to reprimand mankind, especially the Jews, who are expected to be more obedient to God's laws than other nations because that is the purpose why they are chosen.
Often the reprimand contains a warning about something that will happen in the future if they don't repent. This seems like a prophecy but it's only a tactic used by a prophet to persuade his listeners to obey the law of God.
It's fine to study Biblical prophecy but please don't try to foretell the future by means of the Bible.
If you want to learn how to tell the future the Bible isn't the book for you. It's meant as the word of God to tell you what He requires of you which is basically to be a decent, honest person.
The Jews are only God's instrument as are all nations to demonstrate that this is all God wants of mankind.
Here are a few Biblical references about the subject of prophecy:
Genesis 20:7 The task of a prophet is to pray to God and to recieve the word of God.
Deuteronomy 13:1-5. Even if someone does miracles don't listen to him.
Deut 18:15 Moses is the example of a prophet. He was humble and studied the word of God.
Deut 18:18 A prophet only speaks what God tells him to speak
Deut 34:10 A prophet knows God
Judges 6:8 A prophet reminds the people of the good things that God did for them in the past if they were obedient to Him and the bad things He did to them if they weren't obedient.
1 Samuel 9:9 ff the Prophet doesn't profesy for money or gifts. This is Sauls mistake. He only tells what God orders him to tell
1 Kings 20:13 The prophet reprimands the king
