North Texas Daily

OPINION

If you keep up with the campaign trails, you may notice a few candidates debating about the relationship between our country’s ally in the Middle East and whether or not they would continue to support the relationship if they win the election in 2012.

It is easy to pawn this topic off as something geographically irrelevant, but with other nations in that area threatening to use nuclear weapons, it might be beneficial to take a moment and think about your stance on having an ally in that region which has never threatened or turned its back on America.

Israel offers something unparalleled in its region of the world: a liberal democracy.

Citizens have the freedom of religion, the freedom to vote, the freedom of speech and the freedom of sexuality. While other countries in that portion of the world still stone individuals to death for dressing immodestly or being attracted to somebody of the same sex, Israel offers a safe haven for those being persecuted, welcoming them with open arms. Israel hosts several shelters for women who need to escape domestic violence, which is sometimes supported by religion and corrupt governments. Israel is home to the most compassionate city in the Middle East to the openly gay or transsexual, Tel Aviv. Homosexuals can and do serve in the military and are not condemned in the least.

Israel’s medical community has made significant contributions in virtually every component of medicine, diagnosis and treatment. Some contributions include the early detection of autism, the creation of drugs to successfully combat the debilitating effects associated with multiple sclerosis, and the capsulized endoscopy, which is courtesy of a tiny camera in a small pill formed device that can collect images from the inside of the digestive tract without the need for expensive sedation.
The “Israeli” bandage, which is specially designed to stop bleeding from hemorrhagic wounds caused by traumatic injuries, has been used by American soldiers and throughout American hospitals, saving many lives. Israel also shares its military technology with America. The anti-ballistic missile targets ballistic missiles and keeps them from reaching their sporadic destinations. Unmanned aerial vehicles provide air surveillance while not risking the lives of pilots.

The “Iron Dome” air defense system, which intercepts rockets, has proven very effective in prohibiting terror attacks. Israel has tremendous expertise in homeland security, from border patrol and airport security to counter-terrorism. Because of this strong relationship, America benefits from Israeli familiarity in these areas.
As an aspiring doctor, I am inspired and thrilled at the groundbreaking medical technology that Israel offers.

The rich culture which Israel offers, in combination with the ambition and philanthropy of the Israeli people, provides a unique atmosphere in an area currently clouded by turmoil.

Overall, Israel proves to be a worthwhile ally.

Shari Esquenazi is a psychology junior. She can be reached at shariesquenazi@yahoo.com.