A Steadfast Partnership, by Dan Shueftan  

Original full article on Israel HaYom

Dan Shueftan on the prevailing ethos that exists between mainstream America and mainstream Israel.

It's an unbreakable bond of "respect for both the individual and the collective that are fighting to survive under difficult circumstances."  These are the Americans and the Israelis that "do not  recoil from the use of force when necessary as a last option and to impose their will."  

This ethos¹ is considered invalid in Europe and primitive on US campuses, in the media, in "progressive" circles and among the liberal majority of US Jews.  Yet, without this ethos one would be hard-pressed to explain the deep affinity for Israel among two-thirds of the American public, largely Republicans, but also among Democrats who have not been sucked into radical ideologies.  The see Israel as a democratic, construction, and desirable force, determine to do "whatever necessary," including through the use of force, in order to defend themselves.  They respect that. 

The pervasive view of these shared interests throughout the world, and even in the US and in Israel, stems from either deep ignorance or deliberate distortion.  This view seeks to present US-Israel ties as the fruit of America affinity for Israel.  US Jewish support, or the work of the pro-Israel lobby, all of which go against the "genuine America Interest in support for the "Arabs."  

Yet, almost all of the Arabs that matter to the US act on the advice of Israel and trust Israel.  In addition, even those presidents who were less sympathetic to Israel, and even anti-Semitic like Richard Nixon, implemented policies that assisted Israel.  

Presidents, like Barack Obama, who saw themselves as supporters of Israel, sought to "save"the country from itself.  And while the American Israel Public Affairs Committee is a dedicated and savvy sales agent for the States of Israel, if the "goods" Israel was selling were flawed, not even the most talented agent could continue to sell the country as well as it has for the past three generations. It is also worth noting that Jews make up less than two percent of the American electorate.  A majority of them do not see Israel as a top issue and cast their vote automatically for Democrats.. . .

From the US standpoint, Israel, situated in one of the most important regions in the world, encompasses important virtues that no other ally does:  

• Israel is strong,
• stable,
• responsible,
• determined, and
• always pro-American.  

Israel is the only US ally that does not ask American soldiers to fight its wars.  

Israel is . .. militarily, economically, and technologically strong. 

Israel is . .. a democracy that has proven its stability even in times of crisis.  

Israel is . .. a nation of responsibility which is reflected in its restraint in the face of the ongoing threats it has faced for generations, the like of which no democratic country has ever experienced, and in the extreme caution it has exerted in relation to the strategic capabilities attributed to it.  

While Israel is still a junior partner of the US superpower, it is not a negligible one.  

The US has been forced to downsize its physical presence in the Middle East in order to focus its attention on Asia, and the South China Sea in particular. But it can only allow itself to pivot this way if it knows it is leaving a coalition of pro-American countries interested in maintaining relative stability in the region behind.  

Strong, stable, loyal Israel is a vital tier to this coalition. 

Presidents come and go.  Some act in consultation with Israel, while others are for less receptive to its needs.  

And with all of that said, "Beyond these important differences, we must remember there exists a strong ethical and strategic framework for deep partnership, one that has survived unfriendly governments in the past.  

To read the full article, A Steadfast Partnership by Dan Shueftan click here to go to Israel Hayom.  

1. Ethos is a predominant spirit of a culture, era, or community as manifest in its aspirations and beliefs. Ideological underpinnings that influence cultures, societies and communities)