The U.S. needs to define its role within Mid East peace

“For only a dollar a day…” used to ring out on the television attempting to get people to people to save lives of many across the globe. 

On May 15, Israeli troops fired upon Palestinian protestors along its borders. There were an estimated 13 protestor’s shot dead and hundreds of others wounded.  Reports from local news agencies report the Palestinian protestors as being peaceful and unarmed. 

According to the Associated Press, Palestinians were protesting what they call the anniversary the “day of catastrophe” because of the refugee crisis and loss of land that accompanied the creation of Israel.

Arabs around the world have been attempting to defy oppressive regimes and armies. Although, Palestinians in the past have been known for violence, it appeared as if the Arab Spring had finally convinced Palestinians into approaching their disagreements with Israel in a more peaceful way.

Meanwhile in the U.S., President Barak Obama ruffled feathers in Washington with the request that Israel have peace talks with Palestine and negotiate 1967 borders with “mutually agreed swaps.”

There has been great backlash against the president over his comments. Many politicians, including those within his own party are distancing themselves away from the president for calling out Israel. 

Tuesday, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu spoke to the American congress thanking them for their support, including $3 billion the U.S. annually gives to the Israeli Military. “Israel has no better friend than America, and America has no better friend than Israel,” he told congress as they cheered. 

$3 billion dollars total equates to about $10 a year per American.

However, if the United States is truly a friend of Israel, why doesn’t the congress support the president’s role in demanding Israel hold itself to higher accountability in the Middle East?  If the U.S. is supplying Israel with $3 billion annually for military funding, then the U.S. should have a say in how Israel should handle its borders. 

After all, the logic of supplying Israel with the military funding is to secure peace within the Middle East, not purchase bullets to attack unarmed protestors. It was American money that killed those people.

Palestinians are currently pursuing statehood from the United Nations. Many national leaders do not believe this to be a good idea yet.

Hamas, a recognized terrorist organization group, is the largest political movement involved in Palestine, which refuses to acknowledge the legitimacy of Israeli statehood. Because of this, there is great uncertainty about how Palestine will behave if they are given state-hood.  Many believe they will approach the United Nations and demand a return to 1967 borders, before a large portion of land was controlled, including the Gaza strip and the West Bank. 

However, The United States should continue to lead efforts of peace in the Middle East, regardless of popularity if it is to still give them large amounts of American cash. Israel should consider speaking with Palestine leaders and view them as a state as opposed to purely terrorists. Palestine should recognize Israel, and work within their means at securing defined borders and reestablishing their homes. 

Because for only about $10 a year you can take part in the responsibility of the shootings of innocent people, thanks to policy and fear of upsetting our dear friend Israel.

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