I grew up in a homogenetic community and did not meet any Jews or Muslims until I went to college. In High School history/social studies class, I was selected to present the Arab side in a debate of the Arab/Israeli wars. I was at the time, 1975, I was a staunch supporter of Israel. I think I made a pretty good devils advocate case that informed my current position on this complicated issue. My support for Israel has almost evaporated.

I have one Jewish friend, we shared a house with two other students when we were in college. I have no Muslim friends but I don't have dozens of friends. The Muslims I met in college informed my opinions not at all. They were two brothers from a rich Iranian family getting an education in the U.S. at a time when Iran was ruled by the Shaw and got stranded here because of the Iranian Revolution. We were not friends, I was poor and they were rich, we did not mix.

The U.S. has a track record of support evil regimes. U.S. foreign policy has always tilled toward U.S. national security and business interests and disregards human rights when it does not align with national security and business interests. This dynamic has colored U.S. policy regarding Israel and the Palestinians.