Relationship Between the United States and Israel

 

Summary of the Article

The US recognized Israel's establishment in 1948, leading to a longstanding relationship.

Over $150 billion in aid, primarily defense aid, has been given to Israel by the US.

The US publicly supports Israel's military actions, including recent decisions like recognizing Jerusalem as Israel's capital.

US-Israel relations have not always been unconditional; historically, the US has maintained a cautious stance.

US support for Israel intensified during the Cold War era due to strategic interests in countering Soviet influence in the Middle East.

American public opinion overwhelmingly supports Israel, influenced by historical sympathies and the Jewish community's influence.

Israeli technological advancements benefit the US economy and security, fostering closer ties.

The political influence of groups like AIPAC further strengthens US-Israel relations.

Israel's role in countering terrorism and its military cooperation with the US also contribute to the alliance.

The article concludes that while the US provides significant aid to Israel, the relationship benefits both countries economically, militarily, and politically.

Feedback on the article is encouraged from readers.

 

On May 14, 1948, when the establishment of Israel on the land of Palestine was announced, the Arab countries refused to recognize the new Jewish state and declared war. But on the other hand, the United States had recognized this newly established Jewish state that very night. Since then, the United States has given a total of about 150 billion dollars in aid to Israel, a large part of which is in the form of defense aid. This is the largest aid given by the United States to a single country. The US still publicly supports Israel's military attacks on Palestine. In December 2017, the Trump administration, in support of Israel, decided to recognize Jerusalem as the capital of Israel and move the US Embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem. This action sparked a new conflict in the Middle East and a resolution against it was introduced at the United Nations, but was vetoed by the United States. Since 1972, the United States has vetoed at least 53 UN Security Council resolutions against Israel. But friends, we all know that in today's era, relations between countries are bilateral, and economic and defense relations or geopolitics depend on the mutual benefit and loss of both countries.

So the question arises, why does the US support Israel so much and despite being a superpower, why is the relationship with Israel so important for the US? Are these relations bilateral, means if US also have some advantage? and if so, what are the common goals of these two countries? Friends, let's explore the answers of all these questions.

Background of US-Israel Relations

Although, the United States was the first country to recognize Israel, but the policy of the United States towards Israel was not so clear at that time. It would not be wrong to say that America was not always so close or unconditionally supportive of Israel. For example, in the first Arab-Israeli war, shortly after the establishment of Israel, the United States did not directly participate in the cease-fire negotiations, but it hoped that instability in the Middle East, would not upset the balance of power

between the Soviet Union, and the United States Similarly, when Israel attacked Egypt in 1956 along with France and Great Britain, America did not support Israel. The reason for this joint attack on Egypt was the nationalization of the Suez Canal. by Egyptian leader Gamal Abdel Nasser in July 1956. As the Soviet Union was about to become a side in the war against Israel, the United States threatened the three aggressor countries with economic sanctions if they did not withdraw their troops.

As a result, the first British and French forces withdrew, and Israel eventually bowed to American pressure and relinquished control of the Suez Canal to Egypt. In addition, the United States has for years opposed Israel's secret nuclear program. So the Israelis turned to France to start their nuclear program, and in 1957 secretly set up a nuclear facility with French help.

When American intelligence finally discovered Israel's nuclear facility in the 1960s, Israeli leaders insisted that it was for peaceful purposes and that they were not interested in acquiring nuclear weapons. Off course it was not true, but the Israeli government resisted this for years and prevented US nuclear inspectors from even fully inspecting the site.

Friends, there is no doubt that since the establishment of Israel the United States and other countries have been providing loans and financial aid to Israel, but most of the aid was given for the purpose of restoring the destruction of the war. Over time, US-Israel relations strengthened and then the scope of this aid also expanded to include economic and military aid.

During the Arab-Israeli War in October 1973, the US Congress also approved $2.2 billion in emergency financial aid to Israel. It was the same war in which the Arab countries also stopped the oil supply to the countries supported by Israel especially the United States, Great Britain, Canada, Holland and Japan.

Similarly, in the recent past, former US President Barack Obama approved an overall package of $38 billion in military aid to Israel for the decade 2019 to 2028. The relationship between the United States and Israel has been at the center of American foreign policy for nearly five decades. Let us now look at the reasons that led to the strengthening of bilateral relations between the United States and Israel.

 

Middle East and US Strategy

After World War II, the Middle East, with its oil reserves and strategic waterways such as the Suez Canal, was gaining a special status. Therefore, it was a very important region for world powers, including the United States and the Soviet Union. As European powers were now weakened by the war, America needed an important and powerful ally to fill the void.

US-Israeli relations entered a new era when in the Arab-Israeli War of 1967, Israel defeated the armies of Egypt, Syria and Jordan in a war that lasted only 6 days and captured the rest of the land of Palestine, and some part of Syria and Egypt. Because of its victory in this war, Israel emerged as a strong military power in the Middle East.

It was a time when the Cold War was going on between the United States and the Soviet Union. Because Egypt and Syria were considered close to the Soviet Union at the time, American policymakers and experts began to see Israel as a strategic partner to counter Soviet influence in the Middle East. From then on, the United States began using diplomatic and military aid to firmly entrench Israel in the anti-Soviet block in subsequent periods, the United States not only supported Israel's military superiority in the region, but also worked explicitly to prevent any aggression or military actions against Israel by the Arab countries. Its aim was to oppose the Soviet block and establish an American block in the form of a strong and powerful government of Israel. Thus, US-Israel relations began to move forward very rapidly. American public opinion on Israel American support for Israel is not only about strategic issues and foreign policy interests, but American public opinion has long been in favor of Israel and against the Palestinians.

This is the reason why the US presidential election campaign is conducted with this public opinion in front. Almost every presidential candidate on the campaign trail not only acknowledges his long-standing friendship with Israel, but also expresses his intention to continue his support for Israel. It is just like that no political party in Pakistan can imagine winning an election without supporting the right of Kashmiris to self-determination.

According to a Gallup poll, the American public has consistently expressed more sympathy for the Israelis than the Palestinians in the Middle East conflict. According to a 2022 poll, 55 percent of Americans sympathized with Israel, while only 26 percent sympathized with the Palestinians.

But here the question also arises, why is Israel so popular among the American people?

Friends, after World War II there was a general softening of public opinion in favor of the Jews that was best used in favor of Israel. Moreover, violent acts by pro-Palestinian groups, such as the unfortunate event in Munich, during 1972 olypmics, also generated sympathy for Israel There are currently more than 6 million Jews living in the United States Although these six million Jews make up less than two and a half percent of the American population, but most Jews are financially stable and influential in America in business, education, research, and politics.

The Jewish community has given America numerous scientists, researchers, entrepreneurs, celebrities and Nobel laureates Among them are big personalities like Albert Einstein, Neil Bohr, Michael Bloomberg, Stan Lee and Calvin Klein. These are all factors that play an important role in shaping public opinion in favor of Israel and the Jews.

Israeli Technology and American Interests

Friends, Israel exists today as a powerful state due to its advanced technology, extensive production, education and research and strong defense. Israeli technology companies often turn to American companies as partners for co-production and marketing opportunities, creating thousands of American jobs.

Israel introduces a large number of new businesses or start-ups and technologies every year. Most of these startups and technologies are also acquired by large American companies, such as the Israeli company M systems, which makes USB, acquired by Sandisk, and the Israeli company Waze, which introduced a real-time traffic update system, was later acquired by Google.

This also gives the US financial benefits in the long run and keeps its grip on the world's most advanced technology. Israel also continues to assist the US in countering conventional security threats. The two countries share intelligence on terrorism, nuclear proliferation and Middle East politics.

Israel's military experience has played an important role in US policymaking against terrorism. In addition, the two countries are also working together to develop the latest military technology, such as Arrow 3 missile defense system and David's sling missile system is the result of the joint venture of the United States and Israel.

Israel has also emerged as a major defence supplier to the US military. That is, the Israel's latest technology and startups are proving to be very beneficial for America.

The Political Influence of the Jewish Lobby in the United States

 Friends, one of the reasons for the close relationship between the United States and Israel is also considered to be a strong Jewish lobby in the United States There are many organizations in the United States that advocate America's support for Israel.

The largest and most politically powerful organization is the American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC) Members of the organization influence American Jews in the United States as well as Christian churches through grassroots organizing and fundraising. American Jews and evangelical Christians are both considered to be the most politically engaged groups in America.

These groups are also adequately represented in both the major political parties of the United States, the Democrats and the Republicans. These two groups are religiously close to each other, have political influence and are both pro-Israel.

Conclusion

 For the same reasons, friends, the massive US bailout to Israel has hardly ever been blocked by Congress. In short, while the United States continues to provide huge financial and diplomatically aid to Israel, on the other hand, Israel is also protecting American interests in the Middle East. Moreover, the common interests of Israel and the United States in the economic, defense, research and business fields are an important reason for the close and friendly relations between the two countries.

So friends, how did you like this informative article, let us know your opinion.