Me too.

We already are involved--from 1990 to 2000 US military aid to Israel totalled over $18 billion--the UN and Amnestly International have both repeatedly questioned whether or not our military aid laid the groundwork for human rights abuses.

Personally, I feel that if we are going to sell the arms and the ammunition, we have a moral responsibility to see that it is used in a manner that we agree with.

I dont think we are needed.  The Israelis and Palestinians are finally actually starting to work towards a common goal.  It is time to let them try to work things out between themselves.

And you are right, if we were to get involved, we would have another round of boos from the ones that think if we disarmed ourselves completely, everyone would leave us alone.

Me too.

Yep, we're in agreement.

We already are involved--from 1990 to 2000 US military aid to Israel totalled over $18 billion--the UN and Amnestly International have both repeatedly questioned whether or not our military aid laid the groundwork for human rights abuses.

This is why we should use caution in how we handle this and from the responses that Mr. Welch gave I believe we are doing so.

Personally, I feel that if we are going to sell the arms and the ammunition, we have a moral responsibility to see that it is used in a manner that we agree with.

I hate to repeat a well-used and worn out phrase but its "damn if we do and damn if we don't"; so erring on the side of caution is good.

The Israelis and Palestinians are finally actually starting to work towards a common goal. It is time to let them try to work things out between themselves.

This is good and is absolutely necessary.

And you are right, if we were to get involved, we would have another round of boos from the ones that think if we disarmed ourselves completely, everyone would leave us alone.

Exactly. And we can't do that either, disarm ourselves completely, afterall we're not idiots!

This is why we should use caution in how we handle this and from the responses that Mr. Welch gave I believe we are doing so.

I agree completely that caution should be used--I just don't think that we can say that we aren't involved. We might not our soliders on the ground--but they are using our money and our weapons--that to me is involvement. And therefore, the Administration should be charged with (and I am sure they are) keeping a close eye on what goes on--and stepping in should they/we determine it morally necessary.

I hate to repeat a well-used and worn out phrase but its "damn if we do and damn if we don't"; so erring on the side of caution is good.

Not sure who the phrase fits with what I said, but I do agree that usually our foreign policy is one of "damned if you do, damned if you don't." Suppose that goes with the territory of being a super-power though.

I asked myself why? Why should the US get involved? Are they going to get involved in another situation and be blamed by both sides and the world for putting their foot in where it doesn’t belong? Why is everyone always looking to the US for help and then turn around and blame us when they don’t like the outcome?

The US is very much involved...putting their nose on BOTH sides of the 'fence'. They support Israel...have pledged support to the Palestinian Authority, send Ms. Rice here whenever anyone on either side sneezes. Time for them to step back a bit and let us work out our own problems without proposed 'Road Maps' or anything else....BUT DONT STOP SENDING THE MONEY...

just don't think that we can say that we aren't involved.

The US is very much involved.

I'm not saying the US is not involved in what's going on in Israel already, just that they shouldn't get involved the Gaza Strip issue and since both sides are working it out...hopefully they won't have to be the one to say you do this or you do that or something else.

And therefore, the Administration should be charged with (and I am sure they are) keeping a close eye on what goes on--and stepping in should they/we determine it morally necessary.

Exactly Shades - erring on the side of caution and hopefully it won't be necessary for them to do anything else other than keep an eye out!

whether or not our military aid laid the groundwork for human rights abuses.

The damn if you don't phrase has more to do with this part of your response.

Time for them to step back a bit and let us work out our own problems without proposed 'Road Maps' or anything else

Ditto!