WhatsappThe decision of the Netanyahu-led government to say, “thank you, but no thank you” to the United States is actually a watershed event in the history of the relationship of the United States of America and Israel. For so many people in Israel, the idea of saying no to the President of the United States is considered a most dangerous proposition. After all, isn’t the United States defense of Israel the most important insurance policy of the State of Israel?
The issue is indeed complex. On the one hand, the United States is certainly the greatest superpower and wields more influence among Israel’s neighbors in the Middle East than any other superpower. The aid that the United States provides to Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Jordan, and others in the Middle East is also intended to steward the world to steady waters. No other country has aircraft carriers that it can move nearby Israel in order to make sure that Israel is not left alone in a potential regional conflict. Indeed, Israel absolutely needs the insurance that the United States affords.
But the insurance policy is filled with holes and comes with many strings attached. The foreign policy of the United States shifts with each Secretary of State and President. Even under Republican administrations such as Goerge H. Bush, the US policy towards Israel was far from friendly. For eight long years, Israel suffered under the wrath of Barack Obama, who was openly hostile to Prime Minister Benjmain Netanyahu. The support of Israel under the Obama administration included Obama’s overreaching immoral accusation that Israel’s policies in Judea and Samaria were illegitimate. In the world view of Barack Obama, who defined his goals as being a transformational President, this negative attitude towards Israel was considered fair game.
The present Biden administration is now taking the same stance towards Israel’s operation of it’s war against Hamas and terror. The USA “understands” Israel’s need to fight a war. But it disagrees with Israel’s need to “finish the job.” Netanyahu is exactly right in clarifying that not “finishing the job” in Rafah is a policy that nearly 80% of Israel is unwilling to accept. And yes, politics, is ultimately local. Without the support of Israel’s population, Netanyahu knows his days are numbered. That has forced Prie Minister Netanyahu to stand up towards the United States. He simply has no choice if he wants to retain his job.
The pressure that America places on Israel may be well-intentioned, or perhaps it is intended to weaken Israel as Israel has shown itself uniquely able to eradicate terror hubs in impossible circumstances. Either way, every country must show it’s spine when vital strategic situations demand it. That is exactly where Israel finds itself today.
For the first time since it’s founding, Israel is positioned to destroy the strategic threat from it’s southern border. Cities such as Ashekelon, Ashdod, Kiryat Gat, Ofakim, Netivot and the tens of small towns and villages in their proximity number nearly half a million people. These Israeli are the ones who have endured an ongoing humanitarian crisis for the last two decades, racing into bomb shelters in dread from missiles from Gaza. They are the ones who the United States and anyone who truly cares about humanitarian issues should be focusing on.
If the Biden administration wants to talk about humanitarian issues, let’s have that discussion. The only truly innocent people who need to be focused on are these innocent Israelis. Their truly is no substitute for victory.
