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More Americans are waking up to the fact that the friendship is grossly overstated and costly and at times a liability
Few weeks ago when Herman Cain, a Republican presidential candidate, was speaking in New Orleans about the strategic alliance between the United States and Israel, declaring that “if you mess with Israel you mess with the United States of America,” something unusual happened. While some supporters clapped and cheered, others booed and walked out. This was a gathering of Republican voters, mostly white conservatives with right-wing views on foreign policy. Granted that those who booed Cain were mostly supporters of libertarian opponent Ron Paul, whose views on foreign policy, including Israel, differ drastically from those on the right and left of the political mainstream.
In the war against terrorism, Israel’s role was limited and insignificant. In fact it was General David Petraeus who more than a year ago stated in secret correspondence that Israel’s continued occupation of Palestinian lands directly threatens American lives in Iraq and Afghanistan. The question again is this: What strategic value does Israel provide to US interests in the Middle East and beyond?
Israel, on the other hand, has spied on the US (the infamous case of convicted spy Jonathan Pollard), attacked and killed US personnel (the uninvestigated incident of the USS Liberty in 1967), frequently challenged former US presidents (Bush Sr., Clinton, Bush Jr. and now Obama) on colonies, Gaza incursions and other things, and for the past 60 years it has managed to siphon off about $3trillion (Dh11 trillion) in US taxpayers money, or roughly $8 million a day.
It is difficult to understand this unique relationship from a US point of view. In recent years and as Israel leaned dangerously towards the extreme right, its policies and positions have become more difficult to defend and support. And yet American presidential hopefuls continue to compete between each other by taking unrealistic stands in the hope of attracting Jewish voters and appeasing Israeli leaders. They willingly defy international law by recognising the annexation of occupied Jerusalem, rejecting withdrawal to the 1967 borders and supporting Israel’s illegal colonies in the West Bank.
Israel has increased America’s isolation in the international community. It has forced it to adopt positions that are contrary to Washington’s strategic interests and moral American values. It continues to cost the US taxpayer billions of dollars and for what?
The Israel issue is slowly moving to the centre stage in the political American debate. It may not happen this year but more and more Americans are waking up to the fact that this special friendship is grossly overstated and costly; and for many it is even a liability. This “friendship” will be tested in the coming years especially if a major transformation in America’s political underpinnings takes place.
It all comes down to the vote and who wants to be President.
