Here’s Why U.S. Elites Support Israel No Matter What

Summary

The U.S.-Israel relationship is unique, with Israel receiving vast amounts of foreign aid and diplomatic protection, despite controversial actions in Gaza and violations of international law. The U.S. consistently supports Israel, using it as a strategic ally to maintain influence in the Middle East and protect imperial interests. Israel's role as a military partner in destabilizing regions and supporting U.S. objectives globally, from the Middle East to apartheid South Africa, is critical. However, growing public disillusionment in the U.S. may signal a shift in support, challenging political legitimacy and the broader imperial agenda.

Takeaways

• 😀 The U.S.-Israel relationship is unique, with Israel receiving about 30% of all U.S. foreign aid since World War II, despite having only 0.01% of the global population.
• 😀 Israel receives around $4 billion annually from the U.S. and has accumulated nearly $300 billion in aid since 1945, enough to end world hunger.
• 😀 U.S. support for Israel is unconditional and largely bipartisan, even amid global condemnation of Israeli actions, such as the massacre in Gaza.
• 😀 The U.S. provides diplomatic cover for Israel, blocking international efforts to prosecute Israel for violations of international law, as seen in the 2014 UN vote on Gaza.
• 😀 The U.S. Empire's strategic interests in the Middle East, particularly access to oil and global trade routes, heavily influence its support for Israel.
• 😀 Israel acts as a proxy for U.S. military and political objectives, carrying out tasks that the U.S. cannot directly do, such as destabilizing Arab governments and attacking independent nations.
• 😀 Israel’s 1967 attack on Syria and Egypt was framed as a preemptive strike to prevent genocide but was also a strategic move to expand Israeli territory and weaken Arab regimes.
• 😀 The U.S. has historically supported Israel’s military operations, including the bombing of Iraq's nuclear plant in 1981, and covert actions in Lebanon, South Africa, and Latin America.
• 😀 Israel has served as a loyal partner in the U.S. War on Terror, carrying out operations against Iran and Syria, and assisting the U.S. in maintaining regional control.
• 😀 Public opinion in the U.S. has shifted in recent years, with increasing opposition to U.S. aid to Israel and growing scrutiny of the political elite’s stance on the Israel-Palestine issue.
• 😀 The growing divide between U.S. politicians' support for Israel and their constituents' dissent could lead to a larger breakdown in the legitimacy of the political system and spark global movements for justice.

Q & A

Why is the US support for Israel considered unconditional?

The US support for Israel is considered unconditional because it provides consistent foreign aid every year, regardless of Israel's actions. The US also offers diplomatic cover for Israel in international forums, preventing any real accountability for its actions, even when the rest of the world condemns Israel's actions, such as the massacre in Gaza.

How much foreign aid has Israel received from the US since 1945?

Israel has received nearly $300 billion in US foreign aid since 1945. This makes Israel the largest recipient of US foreign aid, despite constituting just 0.01% of the world’s population.

What role does Israel play in US imperial strategy in the Middle East?

Israel acts as the US's 'attack dog' in the Middle East, performing military and destabilizing actions on behalf of the US Empire. This includes attacking independent Arab governments that defy US interests, destabilizing countries like Iraq, Syria, and Lebanon, and supporting US-led interventions in the region.

Why does the US consistently veto resolutions condemning Israel at the United Nations?

The US consistently vetoes UN resolutions condemning Israel because it views Israel as a strategic ally in the Middle East, necessary for maintaining US influence in the region. This is part of the US's broader imperial interests in controlling the region’s resources, especially oil, and securing global trade routes.

What is the significance of Israel's attack on Egypt and Syria in 1967?

The 1967 attack on Egypt and Syria, known as the Six-Day War, is significant because it solidified Israel as a key military ally for the US in the Middle East. While Israel presented the war as a preemptive strike to protect itself, it was also aimed at expanding its territorial control and undermining Arab governments that were resisting US influence.

How did Israel’s actions in the 1980s reflect its alignment with US interests?

In the 1980s, Israel’s actions, such as bombing Iraq’s nuclear reactor with US approval, showed its role in advancing US geopolitical goals. By destabilizing the region, Israel helped the US maintain its influence in the Middle East, even if it involved covert or unpopular actions like supporting Iraq in its war against Iran.

What role did Israel play in South Africa’s apartheid regime?

Israel was a key partner to apartheid South Africa, providing military and intelligence support. Even after global condemnation of South Africa's apartheid, Israel continued to arm the regime and even built an electrified fence to protect South African-controlled Namibia.

How has Israel been involved in the US's war on terror?

Israel has been deeply involved in the US’s war on terror by assisting in intelligence gathering, conducting operations against countries like Iran, and providing support in the US-led destabilization of the Middle East. Israel has also used its own military actions to provoke and justify further US interventions.

Why has public support for Israel in the US declined in recent years?

Public support for Israel has declined in the US due to increasing awareness of how taxpayer dollars are being used to fund Israeli actions, which many view as unjust. As more Americans see Israel's treatment of Palestinians and other Middle Eastern countries, there has been a growing pushback against US political leaders who continue to staunchly support Israel.

What is the potential impact of the growing divide between US politicians and their constituents regarding Israel?

The growing divide between US politicians and their constituents could lead to a crisis in political legitimacy. If more Americans begin to question the US’s unconditional support for Israel, it could erode trust in political leaders and potentially lead to broader anti-imperialist movements and changes in US foreign policy.