Why - EXACTLY - is any U.S. money and governmental time & effort expended on the Israeli-Palestinian issue? Second question: Why is it our responsibility to try to bring peace in Israel-Palestine? (Trying to help bring peace is laudable and admirable, but that is different from "it is our responsibility.")  At this particular time, with plenty of problems, and limited diplomatic and military resources - not to mention financial resources - how is our time and energy justifiably expended here?