Some political commentators argue Israel is a strategic liability to the foreign policy interests of the United States and that America would benefit from lessening or cutting ties with Israel. Although the U.S.-Israel alliance, just like any alliance, isn’t perfect, the commonalities and intensive cooperation between Israel and the U.S. make Israel an indispensable American ally.
Common values ensure the foundation for the unbreakable bond between Israel and the U.S.; Israel is the only functioning democracy in a part of the world that contains mostly autocratic regimes susceptible to radical coups at any time.
Israel is the only country in the Middle East that grants full rights to women, religious minorities and gay people and protects free speech and freedom of the press.
As a beacon for democracy and human rights in the Middle East, Israel is the only nation in the region with which support for the U.S. is guaranteed. This guaranteed support remains critical as Israel and the U.S. confront common enemies.
The U.S. receives a substantial bargain annually by supplying Israel with security assistance that enables Israel to fight terrorism and America’s enemies without forcing the U.S. to commit troops on the ground.
Israel’s location allows it to serve as a strategic American outpost in a region vital to America’s energy considerations and foreign policy interests. In addition to providing bases for the U.S. military to refuel planes and restock ships, Israel has shared vital intelligence with the U.S. Israel is the U.S.’ strongest ally in addressing the threat of Iran acquiring nuclear weapons capability.
Israel frequently contributes its innovative prowess and cutting-edge technologies to the U.S. military in the form of life-saving equipment, including the emergency bandage and armor-plated tanks.
Israel ultimately provides an irreplaceable wealth of resources and knowledge for America’s strategic interests in the Middle East.
While detractors argue Israel negatively affects America’s relationship with the Arab world, America’s historically strong relations with several key Arab governments render that argument somewhat inaccurate.
Additionally, many of those in the Middle East who despise Israel do so because they perceive Israel as an extension of America. This is clearly evident at anti-Israel demonstrations, where American and Israeli flags are burned beside each other and demonstrators refer to America as the “Big Satan” and Israel as the “Little Satan.”
I encourage every student at UF to attend the Israel Week events sponsored by the Jewish Student Union because Israel is beyond a Jewish cause; supporting Israel is American. For more information on Israel Week, visit the Jewish Student Union’s Facebook group.
