[Roguish Lawyer]

1. Is Israel our closest or one of our closest allies, as it claims to be? Explain your answer, please.

I assume England is #1, but I understand Israel also to be high on the list. I am no expert, though, and I think many on this board are in very good position to evaluate this.

2. Is it in our national interest to have a close relationship with Israel? Why or why not?

I think so. Israel is the only country in the Middle East that shares our values. While supporting Israel arguably jeopardizes our access to oil and pisses off the muslim world, I believe in supporting our friends and killing our enemies. I also don't abandoning Israel would eliminate conflict with the muslim world in the long term. I also understand that there has been helpful cooperation among US and Israeli defense contractors and intelligence agencies.

3. What Israeli policies, if any, do you object to? Why?

I don't like socialism, and Israel's domestic policies go in that direction. As far as the Palestinians go, I think the Israelis have shown extraordinary restraint. I do not believe that the Palestinians and the Arab world will accept anything short of the destruction of Israel -- the "peace process" for them is just a two-step plan for destroying Israel.

4. If you controlled our foreign policy, would you alter our relationship with Israel? If so, how?

I'd move our embassy to Jerusalem, recognize Israel's annexation of Jerusalem, and end the charade of the road map, Oslo and all that stuff. We should not act like there are two warring parties equally at fault when such is not the case.