Israel/Palestine

1. An honest comparison of the treatment of the "non-dominant groups" in Israel and Saudi Arabia. In the Saudi section, Media mentions women. Women in Israel are treated very differently than women in Saudi Arabia. It is a night and day difference between the two countries on that score. Even if Medea wishes to say that Israel treats Palestinian citizens of Israel the way Saudi Arabia treats women that would be preposterous. Basically this paragraph, on the Israeli side, isn't talking about anything within Israel itself or the way Israel treats any of its citizens (be they Jewish, Muslim, Christian, what have you), but rather talking about the Occupied Territories (and actually only the West Bank, since she talks of settlements and there are no settlements in Gaza). So it's not really a demonstration of any way that Israel is "just like Saudi Arabia". In fact, by bringing up women, she is actually highlighting one of the many ways that Israel is nothing like Saudi Arabia.

2. Both countries have engaged in military conflicts with neighbors. That's true. But that is true of most of the countries in that region. In fact, Israel has itself been invaded by its neighbors since it came into being as a country on several occasions. If she had said they are both strong military powers in the Middle East, that would have been a more reasonable way to make a comparison.

3. This one is just preposterous. The role that Islam plays in Saudi Arabia is not at all similar to the role that Judaism plays in Israel. I hope we can at least agree on that score.

4. This is just Medea trying to be cute. Israel training police officers in the US is akin to Saudi Arabia spreading Wahhabism across the Middle East and North Africa? These are not similar.

5. Yes, they both hate Iran. The list of countries that are not keen on Iran is pretty long, though.

6. This is BS. Not only in the descriptors she uses to talk about what happened in Egypt (a much larger discussion) but also the claim that Israel gave support to the coup is conspiracy theory nonsense.

7. Speaking of conspiracy theory nonsense, Israel does not support Al-Nusra. I wonder what Medea would say if wounded Syrians who were brought to Israeli hospitals were refused treatment and left to die.

8. This again shows the preposterous nature of Medea's little game. That she can even imply that Saudi Arabia's beheading of children is in some way equivalent to Israel holding some Palestinian minors in prison is just bizarre, even for her.

9. AIPAC, as you know, is an American organization. Only American citizens can be members. But, yes, every country lobbies the US for favorable treatment.

10. This one is true. They are both US allies. (As is the UK, Canada, France, etc.)