Israel friendship strained

Every president since World War II has affirmed in the most passionate language that Israel is our friend. But friendship is a two-way street.

The recent appearance of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in Congress broke all precedent and smacked of trying to dominate U.S. foreign policy. I am happy to be a friend of Israel. I am very unhappy at the presumption we will do its bidding.

I also am a friend of Palestine, whose history in the Middle East goes back at least as far as Israel’s. If one friend forces me to choose sides, I do not consider that good friendship.

Our nation has paid an awful price for being Israel’s “best friend forever.” I cannot imagine 9/11 having taken place without our imbalanced approach toward the Middle East. In no way does that excuse the atrocities and evil of some Muslim extremists. But we need to wash our hands of extremism wherever it is found. Dominance is the enemy, not one particular religion or nation.

The world is one very large neighborhood, and we need to find ways to live in peace out of respect, not domination.

Larry Winters

Cheney