Pat Buchanan: 'I Don't Think We've Been a Truly Good Friend to Israel'

On this weekend’s broadcast of “The McLaughlin Group,” conservative commentator Pat Buchanan was critical of U.S. policy toward Israel.

Buchanan didn’t deny that Israel had a right to defend itself. However, he was critical of the tactics Israel has employed regarding combating Hamas and settlements in the West Bank, which he said has been detrimental to U.S. interests.

”There’s no doubt the Israelis have a right to defend themselves against rockets,” Buchanan said. “They’ve got a right to go in and destroy those tunnels. And they have a right overall to secure their people. But where I agree with him is this – the United States of America – I don’t think we’ve been a truly good friend to Israel. We are basically a carbon copy of their policy. What the United States, which have given them about $150 billion after all these years – we should have insisted stop building these settlements in the West Bank. You’re giving us trouble. And don’t overdo it in Gaza because you are hurting us. You’re the custodian of our reputation.”

“In other words, you need a pro-Israeli policy,” he continued. “Nobody believes you should cut ties with Israel. But we’ve got to defend the national interest of the United States. What Mort was talking about, in the whole Middle East – they are not coterminous with the interests of the state of Israel.”

Noting the contributions the United States has made to ensuring Israel’s security, Buchanan argued the United States should impose its will upon the Israelis.

“I think we should have had two states by now and the Americas should have forced the solution,” Buchanan added.

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