Citerank: (8) 9376Settlements are a perpetual destabilizing influenceThe Settlement process is a key destabilizing influence on the negotiation process.959C6EF, 12174Settlements are a form of apartheidThe Israeli settlements on the West Bank are a form of apartheid.1198CE71, 12179Real political debate on the Arab-Israeli conflict is rare in USThere is rarely any debate or balanced discussion about the Middle East in the US.109FDEF6, 12181Suport for Israel grounded in Christian teachingThe US's "strong support for Israel comes mostly from among Christians...  who have been taught since childhood to honor and protect God's chosen people from..."959C6EF, 12184Dominant influence of AIPAC on public debateUnder AIPAC (American-Israel public affairs committee) pressure, there are few significant countervailing voices in the public arena, and any balanced debate is still practically nonexistent in the U.S. Congress or among presidential candidates.959C6EF, 12186Ambitious US politicians fall into line with AIPACJimmy Carter: "It is inconceivable that any ambitious US politician would call for Israel to withdraw to its internationally recognized boundaries – or support a balanced negotiating position between Israel and its neighbors – or even express concern about the plight of the Palestinians."109FDEF6, 12187AIPAC exercising legitimate goalAIPAC is exercising its legitimate goal of defending the policies of Israel's most conservative governments and arousing maximum support in our country.109FDEF6, 12189US needs to assume its historic role as honest brokerThe United States assumes its historic role of honest broker—a role that is dependent upon enjoying a degree of trust and respect from both sides and not being seen to be "in the pocket" of either side.959C6EF

Within my own country, there is rarely any debate or balanced discussion about the Middle East. Our nation's strong support for Israel comes mostly from among Christians like me who have been taught since childhood to honor and protect God's chosen people from among whom came our own savior, Jesus Christ.

An additional factor, especially in the political arena, is the dominant influence of the American-Israel public affairs committee (AIPAC) – a powerful lobbying group that is exercising its legitimate goal of defending the policies of Israel's most conservative governments and arousing maximum support in our country. Under AIPAC pressure, there are few significant countervailing voices in the public arena, and any balanced debate is still practically nonexistent in the U.S. Congress or among presidential candidates.

It is inconceivable that any ambitious politician would call for Israel to withdraw to its internationally recognized boundaries – or support a balanced negotiating position between Israel and its neighbors – or even express concern about the plight of the Palestinians.