[nullhole]

> “Every time anyone says that Israel is our only friend in the Middle East, I can’t help but think that before Israel, we had no enemies in the Middle East.” — John Sheehan, S.J.

Before Israel? Like before 1947? When half the place was under British rule and the oil industry was a fraction of what it was today?

That's about as useful as saying that before the atomic bomb, we had no enemies in the Middle East.

What a dishonest way to make such an inflammatory accusation.

[CapricornNoble]

Yes, before 1947, back when the Secretary of State as well as the Joint Chiefs of Staff, all seasoned professionals who had just won WW2, strongly advised AGAINST supporting Zionism in Palestine. They correctly asserted that demands from the Zionists would never end, and that it would sour the US's otherwise solid relations with the entire Arab region.

https://history.state.gov/historicaldocuments/frus1946v07/d5...

https://history.state.gov/historicaldocuments/frus1946v07/d4...

[vFunct]

Yes. Before Israel, when America had no enemies in the mideast. Thanks for confirming.

[fastball]

Who did have enemies in the ME? It was (as stated) mostly a vassal state.

[cloverich]

Oil rose to prominence during this same period; Israel is a major factor but is certainly not the only or even most important issue.