Every country can make mistakes, but there are different ways to criticize allies vs. enemies.
The problem here is that some Progressives can't distinguish between the two.
Israel is unquestionably an ally to both the US and to the Progressives.
It is the only democracy that allows freedom of the press, religion and everyone can vote. It has universal health care, universal education and a court that has has benn willing to reprimand the government if it violates the constitution. Much of the computer and medical technology we use today has Israel roots as well.
Does that mean Israel is infallible? No. Israel, like any democracy will make mistakes and we can say we agree with the right of Israelis to live in peace with its neighbors while suggesting other policy alternatives to reach that goal.
However, for some purists, they insist on treating Israel as if it were Iran or North Korea, but based on historical analysis, this method of criticism can be distastrous (the scarier thing is those who would support Iran or NK)I.
Case in point: 1970-1973 when the Nixon Administraton under Secretary of State Rogers suggested cutting off aid due to disagreements in policy. The result was that Israel's enemies took this as a sign that the U.S. was backing off supporting Israeli security and on the most holy day of the Jewish religion, launched a suprise attack on Israel from three sides, nearly overwhelming the country.
If we are perceived in backing off our support of the Middle East's only progressive Democracy (please note this is different than critiquing Israeli policy), then we risk a repeat of 1973.
Keep in mind Israel is only 9 miles wide at its narrowest point. If the US is attacked, we have lots of room to recover and respond. Israel does not have that luxury.
If you want to say Israel makes mistakes, that's fine (even this adminstration has done that, but rarely), but remember that there are two sides. Neither Hezbollah nor Hamas is willing to discuss peace, even in exchange for the return of Sheeba Farms (which is Syrian, not Lebanon) and the 1967 Borders. Even as the Arab League requested that Hamas take part in peace talks, Hamas refused. Hamas has said it will have a 10 year truce or "hudna" to rearm but will never recognize Israel, and intends to eventually destroy it militarily regardless.
Those who paint Israel as the aggressor or the sole cause of the situation are regrettably naive or willingly disregarding facts as much as Bush chose to disregard the evidence of the lack of WMDs because it did not support the preconceived notions he had.
So too do some Progressives have preconceived notions due to a gut distrust of military and anyone that Bush is nice to, regardless of whether they asked for Bush to be nice to them.
In closing, if Hamas and Hezbollah were to lay down their arms there would peace. If Israel were to lay down its arms there would be no Israel.