Q&A: Prof. Rose answers your emails
Page 1 - Introduction
Page 2 - The Problem
Page 3 - US Support
US Support
Rose visits New York and Washington and discovers that surprisingly under President Bush, the majority of support for Israel comes not from a Jewish community but from ‘Middle-America’s’ religious conservatives.
A 70 million strong community that represents a powerful voting block in the American electorate.
Increasingly Israel’s interests now coincide with those of Christian Fundamentalists led by Evangelical leaders such as Rev Jerry Falwell, who view Israel as the land of “God’s own people” and its security is their top priority.
In an interview, Falwell reinforced his abiding support of Israel. He mentions letters written to President Bush expressing their concern at Bush’s attempt to mediate the violence in Jenin earlier this year.
Falwell says that more and more Israelis are starting to realise that “America’s Bible-belt is Israel’s safety belt,” and that the influence the Evangelists can bring to bear upon the White House is significant.
An open letter sent in April to President Bush urged him not abandon Israel and asked him to cease applying pressure on Ariel Sharon to withdraw his troops from the West Bank settlements.
In the run up to President Bush’s announcement of his policy towards the worsening Middle East crisis in June, the White House was flooded by e-mail messages from the Christian Right.
Gary Bauer, a Christian Right leader and owner of an email newsletter group 100,000 readers strongs, says the messages were powerful and read:
'Mr. President, we pray for you every day, I believe God wanted you to be president. If you abandon Israel, you will never get my vote again.'"
- Extract from The Jerusalem Post, Jul. 5, 2002
When President Bush finally did speak on June 24, his speech brought little relief to Palestinians and pleased many hard line Israelis.
Dangerous Liaisons is a raw insight into the various aspects of the chain that join Israel and America together so tightly. A link that unfortunately also binds in the intractable problems of the Palestinian people and demands the question: While one part of the it suffers an historic injustice, can the rest of the chain ever be wholly at peace?
Rose continues to work and lecture on the subject in the UK and abroad. She is currently preparing to deliver the 2003 Christian Gauss seminars at Princeton University, on ‘The Question of Zion’.
Q&A: Prof. Rose answers your emails
Page 1 - Introduction
Page 2 - The Problem
Page 3 - US Support
