Why the Left-Right schism on Israel? (Pat Buchannan not withstanding)

[Ignatius]

(08-22-2012 12:30 AM)nomoon Wrote:  Good point on the American exceptionalism, which is more accepted among the Right, and less so by the Left. The schism with Israel also exist in Europe, where there is also a diverence of opinions among the Left and Right about American exceptionalism.

On another forum, a Left-leaning person was trying to promote the idea that the Right's alignment with Israel had to do with fanatical support for biblical prophecy (Book of Revelations, most likely), and that the only reason they promoted Israel was to speed up the Second Coming, or something like that. I don't give that theory much credibility at all. However, people who are more religious may be more sympathetic to the Jewish people, even among Christians, whom may consider them to be God's people. However, many Christian doctrines aren't terribly sympathetic towards Jewish theology, as some actually seem anti-Jewish, so I’m not sure that this is a significant factor, either.

On a more cynical note, it might be argued that anti-Semitism, which was active among some of the Left-leaning political movements of the early twentieth century, may have a lingering effect. The communists, socialist, fascists, and arguably, the early 20th century progressives, were overtly anti-Semitic. The early 20th century (pre-World War II) was a time where Fascism wasn’t a dirty word, and the “Protocols of the Elders of Zion” was being promoted by Henry Ford. Modern liberals rightly denounce the atrocities of that era. It’s easy to find caustic finger pointing between the Right and the Left in regards to antisemitism of the era.

I think you are too quick to dismiss the power of Evangelicals in the Republican Party of 2012 and the extent that they base their support on the belief that the existence of the State of Israel is a sign of the Second Coming. I was brought up in an Evangelical Church and can attest that these people sincerely believe this and they are vocal. They also vote and campaign. I would normally dismiss my apocryphal evidence somewhat, but I see plenty of evidence it extends much deeper. Take a look at the sales of the "Left Behind" and the the incredible popularity of end times televised ministries, for instance. I saw a headline today that the GOP is running forty candidates for national office that would vote to outlaw abortion in cases of rape. That mentality doesn't come from anywhere but religion.

I find it weird that the "Right" heaps so much praise on a government that has aggressively pursued a Socialist economic policy since its inception. It was just a few weeks ago that Romney praised Israel's healthcare system that is far more state run than Obama's (formerly Romney's) healthcare plan he derides at every opportunity here. Further, leaving aside how they got in the state they are in, the Right would be screaming bloody murder about how Israel administers the Occupied Territories by any other country (see Reagan's "Tear Down This Wall!" speech).

So why do free market, freedom loving American Rightists all at once think the opposite is fantastic when Israel does it? Is there is a reason other than religious identity?

I also reject this contention that anti-Semitism is a hallmark of left-leaning movements (which I see you included fascism as one of these, it's not). Communism, especially in Europe was explicitly linked to Jews by the European Right. Hitler's whole crusade against the Soviet Union (and eventually the US) was based on his fervent belief those nations were puppets of Jews. I have no idea where you get the contention that early 20th Century progressives were overtly anti-Semitic. Do you have a source for that? The KKK had millions of members in the 1920's and '30s and they sure as hell weren't voting for the New Deal.