Quite honestly I think plain old nasty anti-semitism is alive and well, even among the liberal left.

Apart from that there is the whole 'does the nation of Israel have a right to exist' question, which can be considered separately from anti-semitism, but usually isn't. Personally I think the fact it does exist (and more functionally so than all of its neighbors, including Jordan) makes that question moot, putting those who make the claim otherwise back into the anti-semite camp.

So we are left with a functioning democracy made up mostly of people despised by just about everyone. Is it surprising that they are willing to use overwhelming force to defend themselves against attack? Even somewhat ineffectual attack? (Not to condone the behavior, instead pointing out that it is rooted in human nature.)

Sure, in a sane world someone would make certain that the strong guy didn't stomp the fuck out of the little prick who just kicked his shins. But that leads us to the real question: Who is going to be the cop, the judge, the lawmaker for the world?

Us? As in 'U.S.A.'?

Yeah, right...