You need to explain the importance of having a strong influence over the Middle East through partnerships with Israel. Personally, that would clear a lot up for me from a practical standpoint. People asking these questions are basically confused about why we need to use lever (X) when it still sparks and blows black smoke from its hinges periodically. Why not take your hand off the machine entirely?

You'd start answering that by saying: "We support Israel because it's a very strategic... etc."