Nations should support those countries that further – and share – their strategic interests. Surprisingly, in certain Western circles there are debates about supporting the State of Israel, or the Palestinian Arabs.

Examining modern history – and the past, it should be an easy decision.

In the Middle East, Israel is a Westernized democracy, an ally of the West, and across the political spectrum supporters of Judeo-Christian values.

Amongst the Palestinian Arabs, there is divided leadership of the Palestinian Authority, who control certain areas in the “West Bank”, and Hamas whom control Gaza.  Their opinions regarding the West are, however very similar.

The fact is that the Palestinian Arabs are largely Anti-American.  A 2014 Pew Research Center survey showed that 76% of Palestinian Arabs (in the territories and Gaza) describe America as an enemy.

79% of participants described their view of America as “unfavorable,” the “Palestinian Territories” also scored highly with of respondents being “unfavorable.”

It is regular, and ongoing. Former P.A. minister Abu Ali Shahin said Palestinians hate America more than al Qaeda does, wishing al Qaeda success. Hamas Prime Minister Ismail Haniyeh condemned America’s killing of Osama bin Laden, noting that “Osama bin Laden was a Muslim freedom fighter.”

And indeed, these sentiments are not new.

In 1973, the Black September Organization attacked the Saudi embassy in Khartoum and killed three Western hostages, including two American diplomats. In 1985, New Yorker Leon Klinghoffer, a World War II veteran was killed by members of the Palestine Liberation Front who hijacked the Achille Lauro, and killed the man.

Israel remains the only country in the Middle East where American flags are not burned. Americans, and Westerners of any religion who are decent, civilized people must support the State of Israel if they care about right or wrong.