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How Independent Is Israel?

(Mosaic) Martin Kramer - Israel has indeed grown dramatically - in population, wealth, and military prowess. But has Israel seen a comparable growth in its independence? Has there been a comparable expansion of its ability to take the independent action it must take if it is to protect its interests and survive as a Jewish state? Or has Israel grown less independent over time, especially with the deepening of its relationship with its principal ally, the United States? After 1967, as successive U.S. administrations concluded that leverage could be achieved only by drawing Israel into the American orbit, the first step was to sell it Phantom fighter jets, and the rest followed. Over time, in the race to maintain its "military edge," Israel has been given access to the world's best military hardware. The tradeoff, however, is that in becoming ever more reliant on the U.S., Israel has sacrificed some measure of its freedom of action. This was evident in October 1973, when, deferring to U.S. pressure, Israel desisted from preempting an imminent Arab attack. This has been the general pattern ever since: Israel is expected to show "restraint," if not to make concessions, in return for hardware and diplomatic backing. Being independent is a process, not a moment. That process is still unfolding. The writer is president of Shalem College in Jerusalem.
2016-05-20 00:00:00
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