The Liberal Elite is generally split on who to support in the Middle East. The supporters of Israel include Jewish-Americans, mainline Democrats; as well as most conservatives. The supporters of the Palestinian Resistance include American Muslims, most anti-war protesters and many minority groups. Although all parties involved have valid points, no one is right. No one is right in the conflict and a solutions will only happen when all parties involved agree to this.
With Israel bombing the Gaza strip and preparing a ground invasion- it helps to look at the past.
During its inception, the state of Israel was an underdog, surrounded by hostile Arab states who seek its destruction. When Israel declared independence in 1948, it was immediately attacked by Egypt, Jordan and all of the usual suspects. The Israelis won- and won again 1967, 1973 and 1982 in wars with Arab neighbors. Israel can no loner be seen as the underdog. It now occupies Arab land for self-defense in the Gaza strip and the West Bank (of the river Jordan), which are traditional homelands of the Palestinians and the Golan Heights in Syria.
The United States outfits the Israeli Defense Forces(IDF) with almost all of the same arms, vehicles, planes and munitions that the US Army enjoys. For this and many other reasons most Muslims (and Europeans) see this as indisputable proof of American bias towards Israel.
Palestinians are basically on their own against Israel since neighboring Arab states now know they cannon defeat Israel militarily. The Palestinian Liberation Organization and Hamas in Palestine and the Hezbollah in Lebanon have since waged their fight through terrorist attacks, rocket attacks and kidnapping against Israel. It is the stated goal of these organizations to wipe Israel off of the map. No one suggests that these tactics are excusable, but the Israeli response has been equally inexcusable.
The Gaza strip and the West Bank are isolated from the rest of the world, with their food, water and electricity regularly rationed or cut off. Unemployment at 50% and most people living in poverty have led to a radicalization of the population. When Hamas or Hezbollah fighters fire rockets at Israel, the IDF bombs schools, warehouses and mosques. When a bombs goes off in an Israeli town, all Arab men are rounded up and questioned. Essentially, Palestinians have no rights in Israeli controlled areas.
One group denies another’s right to exist. Both groups are killing each other and innocent civilians.
Both groups are wrong and no one will ever win.
