Ghadry: Liberal Muslims allied with Israel based on shared values

http://ghadry.com/why-do-liberal-muslims-see-eye-to-eye-with-israel/

Why Do Liberal Muslims See Eye-to-Eye with Israel?
On June 13, 2010, in Blog, by Farid Ghadry  excerpt

 Some of us liberal Muslims are facing the toughest times in our struggle for common sense and peaceful co-existence as the Middle East rages with extremism and terror. Not unlike Israel suffocating today from exactly the same factors. The fact is that both liberal Muslims and Israel share the same enemies, the same aspirations., and some important common goals.

At the present time, traditional Muslim countries like Saudi Arabia and Egypt find themselves in agreement with Israel on Iran. But while Israel wants Iran defeated because it is a threat to its own existence, Saudi Arabia wants Iran contained because the country adheres to the Mazhab al-Shi’i. In other words, it is a short-term alliance timed by events very similar to the short-term alliance between extremist Sunnis and extremist Shias that ignores a history of conflicts these Islamists cannot but fight over should they divert their attention away, long enough, from the US and Israel.

But when it comes to liberal Muslims, who have a long-term vision for the region to openly embrace western knowhow and technological advancement aimed at lifting the standards of living of our own people, we find ourselves allied with the State of Israel based on shared values and common interests. Add to this the hope that one day we will open our borders for commerce and you understand why Israel is central to our success. We support Israel not because we are in love with Israelis or because we are taking a stand against our own religion. We support Israel because an alliance with this successful country bears all the hallmarks of protecting [our] interests ...

Top Senators urge Obama to stand by Israel

Top US senators: Obama, stand by Israel

Democratic majority, Republican minority leaders urge president to resist calls for international probe into Turkish ship incident

Yitzhak Benhorin 6/12/10   http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-3903955,00.html


WASHINGTON – The top two US senators are urging President Barack Obama to stand by Israel in the face of recent global pressure following the lethal raid on the Gaza-bound Marmara ship.

Democratic Majority Leader Harry Reid and Republican Minority Leader Mitch McConnell wrote a letter to the President, urging him to show strong support for Israel in international bodies, insist on the Jewish State's right for self-defense, and look into the terror connections of the Turkish organization that led the violent Gaza sail.

The letter constitutes a clear message to Obama, letting him know that both Democratic and Republican senators are united in their objection to an international probe of the sail, as well as any changes to the Gaza blockade policy.

The top senators will be circulating the letter among the other senators in a move expected to be completed by Wednesday, when the document will be handed over to the president.

The senators wrote that the US traditionally stood by Israel because this is an American security interest, and that this attitude must continue. They also noted that Israel is America's strongest Mideastern ally, a partner to the US on military and intelligence matters, and also a vital democracy.

As to Turkish aid group IHH, which organized the recent Gaza-bound flotilla, the senators recommend that it be included in the US list of terror organizations following a review by the intelligence community, State Department, and Treasury.