Daily Alert Archives

Israel-U.S. Ties Are Going to Get Stronger

(Times of Israel) Ron Dermer - Today, Israel has relations with over 160 countries. Despite the effort by some to paint Israel as facing unprecedented international isolation, it is more accurate to say that Israel is less isolated today than at any time in its history. The Prime Minister has led a broad effort over the past seven years to expand Israel's relations with countries across the world. That effort has resulted in significant improvements in ties with powerful countries like China, India, Japan and Russia, as well as dozens of smaller countries in Africa, Asia, Latin America, and Eastern Europe who see Israel as a great partner for developing their own countries. Yet there is still only one indispensable relationship for Israel - our alliance with the U.S. For decades, the U.S. has helped Israel shoulder our enormous defense burden with generous military assistance. America has also enabled Israel to fund and develop one of the world's finest missile defense systems. And crucially, as a matter of both law and policy, the U.S. is committed to maintaining Israel's qualitative military edge so that Israel can defend itself by itself against any threat. The U.S.-Israel alliance is not a one-way street. I could talk about the Israeli technology and know-how that improves American lives, the Israeli science and medicine that prolongs American lives, or the Israeli intelligence and security cooperation that saves American lives. But a better way to appreciate what Israel means to America is to simply imagine a Middle East without Israel. Imagine if the U.S. did not have in this region an island of unabashed pro-American sentiment, an ally with soldiers willing and capable of defending the interests and values that both countries share. Former American Secretary of State Alexander Haig said that "Israel is the largest American aircraft carrier in the world that cannot be sunk, does not carry even one American soldier and is located in a critical region for American national security." Both America and Israel are not merely countries. They are also causes. America has long been a beacon of opportunity for people across the world, carrying the torch of freedom for all humanity. Israel is the hope of the Jewish people, offering opportunity for all its citizens - Jewish and non-Jewish alike - safeguarding freedom in the darkest region on earth and entrusted by history with securing the Jewish future. These causes imbue each country with a deep sense of purpose and also with a deep sense of solidarity. That is why I believe tens of millions of Americans support Israel in a way they support no other country in the world and why Israelis mourn America's tragedies and rejoice in America's triumphs as perhaps no other country in the world does. Those who don't share this sense of purpose or who are too cynical to even believe in a sense of purpose will never truly appreciate the power of the friendship between America and Israel. The writer, Israel's Ambassador to the U.S., spoke on July 7, 2016, at the B'nai B'rith World Center in Jerusalem.
2016-07-12 00:00:00
Full Article