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Israeli Resolve Serves U.S. Interests

(Israel Hayom) Prof. Eyal Zisser - The U.S. was the first to stand by our side and embrace Israel after Hamas' murderous terrorist attack on Oct. 7. Since then, the Americans have continued to provide generous economic and military assistance, and also international political cover in a cynical and even hostile climate towards Israel. Yet the Americans are working to restrict Israel's freedom of action. They want the IDF to move to low-intensity fighting in Gaza, avoid holding territory there, and even demand the provision of aid to Gaza residents, enabling Hamas to continue its rule there. This is based on a long-standing American view of the region through Western eyes - as if Palestinian society and, in fact, all Arab societies have Western values. That is why the Americans pressed Israel to agree to let Hamas run in the 2006 Palestinian Authority elections, hoping this would lead to its moderation. One can only hope the Americans are aware that this war on Hamas has global implications that will affect Washington's standing in other parts of the world. After all, if Israel fails to achieve its war aims, it will be perceived as an American failure. And it will give tailwind to all those seeking to challenge the U.S. Friendship with the U.S. is an asset we must safeguard at all costs. But the U.S. will value us more if we stand our ground. Ultimately it will thank us when it realizes Israeli resolve is destined to serve them as well. The writer is a lecturer in the Middle East History Department at Tel Aviv University.
2024-01-21 00:00:00
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