Against Our Better Judgement

Alison Weir is an American journalist and author who has written extensively on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Her book “Against Our Better Judgment: The Hidden History of How the U.S. Was Used to Create Israel” explores the role of the United States in the establishment of the state of Israel. Weir argues that the creation of Israel was not in the best interests of the United States and that it has had negative consequences for both the U.S. and the Middle East.

Weir presents five main reasons why she believes the U.S. helping to create Israel was a bad idea:

1. The creation of Israel violated the principles of self-determination and democracy. The majority of the population in Palestine at the time was Arab, and they were not consulted about the establishment of a Jewish state in their land.
2. The U.S. decision to support the creation of Israel was influenced by a powerful Zionist lobby that used its influence to shape American foreign policy. This lobby, Weir argues, did not have the best interests of the United States in mind.
3. The establishment of Israel led to the displacement of hundreds of thousands of Palestinians, who were forced to flee their homes and become refugees. This has created a long-standing humanitarian crisis and a source of ongoing regional conflict.
4. The U.S. support for Israel has made it difficult for the United States to be an honest broker in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. This has undermined America’s credibility in the Middle East and has contributed to anti-American sentiment in the region.
5. The creation of Israel has had significant geopolitical consequences, including the rise of Islamic fundamentalism and terrorism. Weir argues that the U.S. support for Israel has been a significant factor on the growth of these movements, which pose a threat to American interests and security.

In conclusion, Alison Weir’s “Against Our Better Judgment” presents a compelling case that the U.S. decision to support the creation of Israel was a mistake with far-reaching negative consequences. Weir argues that a powerful Zionist lobby drove this decision and did not take into account the principles of self-determination, democracy, and the best interests of the United States. The establishment of Israel has led to the displacement of Palestinians, undermined America’s credibility in the Middle East, and contributed to the rise of Islamic fundamentalism and terrorism.