I have supported Israel for years and continue to do so. The reasons for this support are similar to most of those who support Israel; democracy in a region without, homeland for Jews, friend to the United States, etc.

The following (as reported in The Week) is an example why. Imagine for a moment any Arab / Muslim country doing something similar for Israel….

Olives are the West Bank’s second biggest export, employing 70,000 people and critical to the Palestinian economy. The last few years the violence between the settlers has severely and negatively impacted crop production.

This summer, Israel’s High Court of Justice ruled that Palestinians must have complete access to their land and crops and directed the Israeli military to provide protection – for the Palestinians. An Israeli commander said, “Our goal is to allow the Palestinians to pick every olive off of the tress.”

I don’t know how to say that in Arabic, but sadly, I doubt that anyone else does either.