For decades, the United States has relied on Israel as a key partner in the Middle East, a relationship that has withstood countless challenges and shifting administrations. This alliance, however, is more complex than it might seem. While Israel\u2019s military and intelligence strength makes it a valuable ally, the U.S. also sees Israel as strategically useful when it is weaker, as it can then push Israel toward concessions in its peace process with the Palestinians and Arab nations. As the world watches the latest Gaza conflict unfold, questions linger: Will this relationship continue to thrive, and how might the election impact it?<\/p>\n
The Birth of a Strategic Partnership<\/strong> This shift signaled the beginning of a powerful alliance: Israel\u2019s strength became an asset to the United States, serving as a democratic counterweight in a region fraught with instability. Since then, Israel\u2019s intelligence-sharing and advanced military technology have been key to the U.S.\u2019s strategic position in the Middle East. The United States has relied on Israel to help fight common threats, from Soviet-backed Arab states in the 20th century to modern-day Iranian proxies like Hezbollah and Hamas.<\/p>\n When Israel is strong, the U.S. reaps many benefits. Israel\u2019s military and intelligence expertise not only enhance America\u2019s regional standing but also give Washington a reliable partner in an area where alliances are often precarious. Former U.S. Ambassador to Israel Samuel Lewis once compared the U.S.-Israel relationship to a \u201cCatholic marriage\u201d\u2014one that might face rough patches but would never truly break. This dynamic, however, becomes more complicated when Israel\u2019s power wanes.<\/p>\n Israel\u2019s Strength is America\u2019s Strategic Gain<\/strong> Throughout the 1980s, under President Ronald Reagan, the relationship hit new highs as the two countries aligned to contain Soviet-backed threats. Israel\u2019s intelligence and military capabilities allowed the U.S. to keep a close watch on Soviet movements and maintain its influence in the region. Israel\u2019s strength also became invaluable after the September 11 attacks, when the U.S. faced a new wave of global terrorism. From intelligence on terror networks to military insights, Israel became a critical ally in the U.S.\u2019s War on Terror.<\/p>\n However, the U.S. stance has not always been to support Israel\u2019s growth unchecked. When Israel\u2019s strength threatens to destabilize negotiations with Arab states or the Palestinians, Washington has occasionally pulled back. This reflects a longstanding pattern in the relationship: when Israel is perceived as too powerful, the U.S. sometimes sees an opportunity to use its leverage to steer Israel toward concessions. While a strong Israel is a strategic asset, a weakened Israel is also useful as it allows the U.S. to exert greater control.<\/p>\n Israel\u2019s Weaker Moments: When America Steps In<\/strong> This \u201chardware for software\u201d strategy, in which the U.S. provides military aid in exchange for political concessions, has repeated over the decades. <\/em>For example, during the Carter administration, the U.S. pressed Israel to make peace with Egypt and to engage in discussions about Palestinian autonomy. Again, during the Gulf War in 1991, the U.S. urged Israel not to respond to Iraqi missile attacks, a move that allowed the U.S. to maintain its coalition with Arab states. Although Israel complied, it demonstrated that the U.S. could effectively restrain Israel when it suited American interests.<\/p>\n When Israel faces existential threats, the U.S. provides crucial support, but when Israel is strong, the alliance tends to be mutually beneficial and cooperative. A weakened Israel, however, can serve U.S. diplomatic goals by being more amenable to Washington\u2019s agenda, whether that means freezing settlements, returning land, or easing tensions with Palestinian leadership.<\/p>\n The Biden Administration and the Gaza Conflict<\/strong> As the conflict continues, Biden is likely to face pressure from both sides of the political aisle. Many Americans support Israel\u2019s right to defend itself, but growing concern over civilian casualties in Gaza is stirring calls for the U.S. to demand more caution from its ally. While some progressive Democrats push for conditions on U.S. aid, the administration\u2019s approach seems to follow a familiar script: support Israel\u2019s security while quietly urging diplomatic concessions.<\/p>\n A Powerful Alliance, Regardless of Election Outcomes<\/strong> What Lies Ahead for the US-Israel Relationship?<\/strong> If former President Trump wins the election, it is likely that the US-Israel relationship will take a new turn to becoming the “very special relationship” it had become during the previous Trump adniminstration. Although there were some disagreements regarding the future of some communities of Judea and Samaria, otherwise, the Trump administration was very supportive of Israel with minimal restraint. <\/p>\n If Harris wins the 2024 election with a different stance on Middle Eastern diplomacy, the relationship might face new challenges. However, experts agree that America\u2019s reliance on Israel as a strategic partner will likely outweigh any political disagreements. With the largest military and intelligence cooperation program of any U.S. ally and billions in annual military aid, Israel is more than just another partner for the U.S.; it\u2019s an integral part of America\u2019s Middle Eastern strategy. Leah Bean Bowman is a licensed guide in Israel. She is has recently completed a MA in Political Science \u2013 Religion and Politics in the Middle East at Bar Ilan University.<\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" As the 2024 U.S. election nears, the U.S.-Israel relationship\u2014often described as a \u201cspecial relationship\u201d\u2014is once again under the spotlight.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":17,"featured_media":9743,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[8],"tags":[1520,2028,1521,2026,2027,1538,1868,1683],"class_list":["post-10522","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-politics","tag-biden","tag-carter","tag-election","tag-harris","tag-kennedy","tag-nixon","tag-trump","tag-us-israel"],"yoast_head":"\n
\nThe roots of the U.S.-Israel “special relationship” go back to the early 1960s, when President John F. Kennedy spoke warmly of the two countries\u2019 shared values. Yet, it was Israel\u2019s 1967 victory in the Six-Day War that transformed this alliance into a serious strategic partnership.<\/em> Israel\u2019s military prowess became undeniable, and the U.S. saw Israel as a valuable regional ally who could help curb Soviet influence in the Arab world during the Cold War.<\/p>\n
\nIn moments when Israel has shown strength, the alliance has reached new heights. During the 1970 Jordanian Civil War, Israel proved just how valuable it could be. With Jordan\u2019s King Hussein facing an uprising from Palestinian fighters backed by Syria, he turned to the U.S. for support. Occupied with the Vietnam War, the U.S. was unable to send direct military assistance. Instead, it turned to Israel, which mobilized forces to deter Syria from intervening further. By acting as America\u2019s partner, Israel helped maintain regional stability, proving its role as a reliable U.S. ally in times of crisis.
\nThis pattern repeated in later decades, with Israel acting as a counterbalance to destabilizing forces in the Middle East. <\/p>\n
\nWhen Israel is in a weakened state, the U.S. has often used its influence to push for concessions in peace negotiations. During the Yom Kippur War in 1973, Israel was nearly overwhelmed by a surprise Arab coalition attack. The U.S. provided military support, ensuring Israel\u2019s survival but withholding enough aid to prevent an outright victory. The U.S. goal was to maintain a balanced regional power, positioning itself as a mediator who could influence Israel to accept concessions.<\/p>\n
\nIn today\u2019s political landscape, the U.S.-Israel relationship is once again being tested. The Biden administration has expressed strong support for Israel following the October 7 Hamas attack, sending the USS Gerald R. Ford Carrier Strike Group to the region to deter further escalation. Yet Biden has also been clear that U.S. support does not come without conditions; his administration has urged Israel to show restraint in its Gaza operations to prevent wider regional instability.
\nThis approach reflects the long-standing U.S. policy of leveraging aid to shape Israel\u2019s actions, a tactic that dates back to the Cold War. Biden\u2019s cautious stance, reminiscent of past leaders like Nixon and Carter, aims to keep Israel strong enough to defend itself and deter Iranian influence but restrained enough to avoid alienating Arab allies.<\/em> The Biden administration\u2019s decision to hold back on a UN Security Council resolution for a Gaza ceasefire until it secured assurances about hostages also highlights the complex balancing act of supporting Israel while managing broader regional interests.<\/p>\n
\nThe upcoming U.S. election adds another layer of complexity to the U.S.-Israel relationship. Democratic candidate Kamala Harris has indicated a more balanced approach, reportedly emphasizing Palestinian suffering in progressive regions while affirming Israel\u2019s security to pro-Israel audiences. This approach underscores the delicate line that many American politicians must walk in a politically divided landscape. But experts believe that, regardless of the election outcome, the U.S.-Israel relationship is unlikely to weaken significantly.
\nThe bond between the two nations is grounded in more than just shared values and democratic ideals. The U.S. sees Israel as a powerful ally that can help safeguard American interests in the Middle East, especially amid rising tensions with Iran. At the same time, the U.S. benefits from its ability to influence Israeli policy in moments of weakness, making the alliance valuable from both a strategic and diplomatic perspective.
\nThe enduring strength of the U.S.-Israel relationship lies in this duality: Israel\u2019s power boosts U.S. security in a volatile region, and when Israel\u2019s strength is diminished, it opens the door for the U.S. to steer negotiations. This pragmatic approach ensures that the alliance will remain intact, no matter how it evolves.<\/p>\n
\nThe US-Israel alliance has always been defined by a mix of mutual respect and strategic bargaining. When Israel is strong, it serves as a critical asset for the U.S., countering threats and providing valuable intelligence in a complex region. When Israel is weaker, Washington can leverage its influence to pressure Israel into making concessions that may advance American diplomatic objectives. This dynamic ensures that, even in moments of tension, the bond remains strong because both nations recognize the value of the partnership.<\/p>\n
\nAs the Gaza conflict unfolds and Israel\u2019s actions draw global scrutiny, some American politicians may urge a recalibration of the alliance. But the strategic significance of a strong Israel remains unassailable for most U.S. leaders. For both nations, this partnership is too valuable to abandon, and history shows that it can endure even as political climates shift. Regardless of the election outcome, the \u201cspecial relationship\u201d between the U.S. and Israel is likely to continue thriving\u2014built on the understanding that Israel\u2019s strength is America\u2019s strength, and even in moments of weakness, Israel is a crucial ally for U.S. interests in the region.<\/p>\n