Are the USA and Israel best friends?

The title might put a smile on some people’s faces but it’s a very serious and important subject. The USA and Israeli relationship.

As we’re about to celebrate Memorial Day here in the US, we want to remember and honor all the fallen soldiers that sacrificed their lives so we can live ours. A sentiment that’s truly mutual to the Israeli nation.

Let us start from the beginning and that was on May 14^th, 1948: On this day, the United States was the first country to recognize Israel as a state. And then again in 2017, the United States was the first to recognize Jerusalem as the capital of Israel. Israel is a great partner to the United States, and Israel has no greater friend than the United States.

Below are some facts about our relationship but let us also see how it unfolds in everyday life.

• The U.S.-Israel economic and commercial relationship is strong, anchored by bilateral trade of close to $50 billion in goods and services annually.
• Israel is an anchor of stability in a highly volatile region, embodying our values of democracy, pluralism, and the rule of law and justice to all. Israel is a reliable American ally, sustained by a robust judicial system, free and fair elections, and full voting rights for all its citizens.
• We have seen the Iron Dome system and its benefits, which our two great nations developed together, it saved and is saving the lives of countless innocent civilians every day in different places in the world and in Israel.
• The United States and Israel coordinate scientific exchanges through the Binational Science Foundation (BSF), the Binational Agricultural Research and Development Foundation (BARD), and the Binational Industrial Research and Development Foundation (BIRD).  These institutions facilitate important academic exchange benefitting progress in science in Israel and the U.S.
• The State Department, together with the Israeli government, has supported more than 3,400 American and Israeli students and scholars through the Fulbright program, the United States government’s flagship international exchange program. 
• Israel’s determination to defend itself by itself limits the number of U.S. personnel needed in a dangerous region. Through cooperative defense programs, the U.S.-Israel partnership has improved our military technology, helping us to counter missiles, tunnels, and unmanned aerial systems, enhance U.S. attack capabilities, and improve systems defending our personnel.
• Israel is also a world leader in combating Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and is working with the United States to help prevent and treat PTSD in American troops.
• Israel is a world leader in many of the areas that define 21^st-century progress. The Jewish state is our partner in pioneering cutting-edge solutions to challenges like cyber-security, healthcare, artificial intelligence, water scarcity, food security, climate change, and renewable energy. A strong U.S.-Israel relationship helps both countries confront emerging and mutual challenges.
• The United States and Israel face many common threats, including the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction, the growth of state-sponsored terrorism, and the spread of Islamic radicalism. Israel is on the front lines in the Middle East, confronting shared enemies and serving as a capable and strong American ally.
• And finally, this little country Israel is Investing in the American economy, creating American jobs, and promoting American innovation. The combination of U.S. exports to Israel and direct Israeli investments in the U.S. is responsible for nearly 100,000 American jobs.

I can continue and list so many other facts of the results and benefits of this great friendship, but I do not intend to bore you, the friendship between the USA and Israel is like any other couple, friends or married, they have feuds, and not always agree on everything, they argue, exchange ideas and so on. But ultimately, they figure it out and stay each other’s strongest allies.

The USA has interests in Israel as the gate to the middle east and Asia, and Israel has interests in the USA as an ally, a friend, an investor, a helper, and an equal partner in so many positive aspects.

Israelis will always look at the USA as the country of hope, peace, freedom, and peace and will always strive to keep the same in their own country.

Despite a lot of public opinions Israel is a country striving for peace since its beginning, the same as the USA, the problem lies in the fact that Peace sometimes must pass through the battlefield first.

A strong U.S.-Israel strategic relationship and enhanced bilateral cooperation in homeland security, cybersecurity, space, sustainability, and other key areas are helping both countries and other nations across the globe to confront emerging mutual challenges.

And: “As far as Israel is concerned, I am not worried about the relations between Israel and the United States.” As said by Yitzchak Rabin, Former Israeli Chief of Staff and Prime Minister, who was assassinated on the road to Peace on November 4^th, 1995. And a great contributor to the great relationship between the USA and Israel, first as an ambassador in DC, then ambassador to the UN, and from then on as a, minister of foreign affairs, minister of the national security, and then Prime Minister.

So this coming memorial day, I ask you to take a moment to reflect on your own life. Appreciate the life you lead, remember those who fought for you to be here and appreciate the relationship we have with Israel, knowing we can always count on each other’s support during these tense times in the world.

God bless!