|
Trending Topics
|
Source: http://www.israelhayom.com/site/newsletter_opinion.php?id=10411
Israeli-American Relations and the Iranian Nuclear Threat
(Israel Hayom) Maj. Gen. (ret.) Yaakov Amidror - Every year, the Americans give Israel a gift of about $3.5 billion for its defense needs (3/4 of which are to be used only for purchases from the U.S.). In addition, the U.S. partners with Israel in the development of anti-missile technology, there is robust intelligence cooperation, and the exchange of ideas between military commanders is extremely important to both sides. U.S. friendship is important to Israel in the diplomatic realm as well, especially in the international arena and in the UN. The Americans have brought the Iranians to the negotiating table, after imposing unprecedented sanctions and recruiting the Europeans to follow suit. However, at the negotiating table, the U.S. has created the impression that the ultimate agreement is more important to them than it is to the Iranians, and that they would do anything to avoid resorting to the military option. If a permanent agreement fails to guarantee the bare minimum that Israel feels is necessary, it will have to act in its best interest and avoid being influenced by the fact that its close ally signed the agreement with Iran. If Israel cannot rely on anyone on this matter of enormous importance to its security and even its existence, then it will have to defend itself by itself. Maj.-Gen. (ret.) Yaakov Amidror is a former National Security Advisor of Israel.