Why the U.S. values Israel today—more than ever

Dear Friend of FLAME:

Over the decades—despite overwhelming cultural, religious, diplomatic and military reasons for the United States to support the Jewish state financially—enemies have found a string of excuses to oppose a close U.S.-Israel relationship.

Some inveterate die-hards, for example, still cite accidental missile strikes by Israel on the USS Liberty back in 1967—which was rigorously investigated and found tragically to have been an error. Modern Israel critics argue that for decades the American Congress and Presidents—both Democrat and Republican—have been unduly and inexplicably swayed by the “Jewish lobby.”

Yet the logic of the nations’ unbreakable relationship is obvious and compelling. U.S. support over the past 40 years has been consistent—because those Presidents and Congresspeople have understood the profound value of investing in America’s most consistent and powerful ally in the Middle East.

Current events in the Middle East have only raised the stakes on which this relationship is based and underscored its value.

The humiliating retreat under fire by the U.S. and its allies from Afghanistan as the Taliban took over—even as ISIS regroups—has shown that the wider Middle East is still a truly treacherous place for American interests.

Among the failing societies, radical jihadist groups and bloodbaths engulfing nations—like Yemen, Lebanon, Libya, Syria and Iraq—one rock of stability remains in the region, whose interests and goals line up almost completely with those of the U.S.

The State of Israel has served as America’s most reliable partner in the region throughout its history, whether during the Cold War—where many nations vacillated between the Soviet and the Western spheres—through two Gulf Wars, and up to the recent return of fundamentalist Islam and terrorism.

U.S.-Israeli security cooperation dates back to the 1960s, when Washington came to see the young Jewish state as a bulwark against Soviet influence in the Middle East and a counter to Arab nationalism. While that bipolar world no longer exists, Israel remains a critical counterweight in the region against radical Islam—whether Iran, Hizbollah, al Qaeda or ISIS—that threaten American interests.

Furthermore, Israel’s forces have prevented the proliferation of nuclear weapons in a region where extremist organizations frequently conquer nation states. In 1981, the Israel Air Force conducted a surprise attack on an Iraqi nuclear reactor in Osirak. While the U.S. objected to the attack, American leaders said in retrospect it was a vital initiative by the Israelis.

In an interview in 2005, Bill Clinton expressed support for the Osirak attack: “[E]verybody talks about what the Israelis did at Osirak, in 1981, which, I think, in retrospect, was a really good thing. You know, it kept Saddam from developing nuclear power.”

Best of all, Israel’s ability—and willingness—to defend democracy and other Western diplomatic and economic interests has increased dramatically over the past 20 years. Israel’s advanced cybersecurity, weapons technology and intelligence gathering are among the most sophisticated in the world.

The Israel Air Force prevented the genocidal Assad regime in Syria from acquiring nuclear weapons by attacking a nuclear site in 2007. Recently, Israel has conducted more than 1,000 air raids on Hizbollah and other Iranian proxies who are expanding the Islamic Republic’s hegemony in Syria.

Israel and the U.S. also cooperate on sophisticated military defense technology, like Iron Dome, David’s Sling counter-rocket and Arrow missile defense systems. These systems have been used to defend Israel, as well as American forces and allies in the region. Many of these technologies, created with Israeli knowledge and innovation, are exported to American allies.

The Jewish State’s military industry has pioneered many other advanced technologies that are transforming the face of modern war—including cyberweapons, unmanned vehicles (such as land robots and aerial drones), sensors and electronic warfare systems, and advanced defenses for military vehicles. The U.S. and its allies daily enjoy the fruits of Israeli innovation.

But the State of Israel is not just a reliable ally and partner—it is also a vital outpost for America’s interests. While the U.S. does provide Israel with billions of dollars, this is not aid or assistance. it is part of a common long-term investment, based on America’s needs to enhance its power against common threats facing both countries.

“It’s about time we stop apologizing for our support for Israel,” then-Senator Joe Biden told the US Senate in 1986. “There’s no apology to be made. It is the best $3 billion investment we make. If there weren’t an Israel, the United States of America would have to invent an Israel to protect her interests in the region.”

American arms industries benefit because agreements between the two countries stipulate that the majority of funds the U.S. provides Israel has to be spent in America, helping military businesses and providing jobs for countless Americans.

Many of the arguments against this close relationship—largely centered around objections from Arab nations—have dissipated, especially since the signing of the Abraham Accords peace agreements with the UAE, Bahrain, Morocco and Sudan. Antagonism to the Jewish state in the region has been replaced by the understanding of moderate Sunni Muslim leaders that Israel is an asset in the battle against Iran and growing Islamist terrorism.

This new outlook puts the U.S., Israel and much of the region on the same side for the first time. In fact, Israel actively helps many of these countries, whether containing ISIS in the Sinai desert or buttressing the Jordanian leadership.

Finally, with the pullout from Afghanistan and the winding down of an American presence in Iraq, the U.S. will lose tremendous abilities that come with “boots on the ground,” chief among them, intelligence capabilities—a field in which Israel excels.

I urge you to remind your family, friends, colleagues and elected representatives that with Iran on the cusp of nuclear weapons capability, the U.S. and its allies are well served by the State of Israel. One of Israel’s primary missions is to ensure the Islamic Republic does not acquire nuclear weapons—a potential horror for the entire world.

Fortunately, Israel has become a regional superpower—which in protecting itself from vicious enemies also opposes U.S. adversaries. As the U.S. turns its attention to China, this is precisely the kind of strategic asset it needs in the Middle East—one that has America’s back.

I hope you’ll also take a minute, while you have this material front and center, to forward this message to friends, visit FLAME’s lively Facebook page and review the P.S. immediately below. It describes FLAME’s new hasbarah campaign—which exposes “The Ugly Truth About Hamas” and those who support the terrorist group.

Best regards,

James Sinkinson
President, Facts and Logic About the Middle East (FLAME)