How Did America Become Israel's Godfather? | Flashback with Palki Sharma

Summary

The video script delves into the historical evolution of US-Israel relations, starting from President Truman's reluctant support for Israel's establishment in 1948 to becoming staunch allies. It highlights key events like the 1956 Suez Crisis, the 1967 Six-Day War, and the Camp David Accords, emphasizing America's strategic interests in West Asia. The summary also touches on the military and political developments that solidified the bond, including arms deals, mutual defense agreements, and the pursuit of peace in the region, despite occasional tensions and conflicts.

Takeaways

• 😀 Harry Truman, despite his anti-Semitic bias, became the first world leader to recognize the state of Israel in 1948 after a meeting with Chaim Weizmann, influenced by his friend Eddie Jacobson.
• 🌐 The US initially sought allies in West Asia to contain Soviet influence during the Cold War, with Saudi Arabia and Iran as top choices, but Israel was not a primary focus.
• 🔄 The Suez Crisis in 1956 showed a divergence in US and Israeli interests, as the US disapproved of the invasion of Egypt by Israel, Britain, and France.
• 💥 The Six-Day War in 1967 marked a turning point in US-Israeli relations, as Israel's swift victory impressed the US and positioned Israel as a strong military ally in the region.
• 🤝 The US began to see Israel as a strategic asset in West Asia, offering military support and recognizing its potential to project American interests in the region.
• 🛡️ The 1973 Yom Kippur War further solidified the US-Israeli alliance, with the US providing significant military aid to Israel, which many believe saved the day for Israel.
• 🏛️ The Camp David Accords in 1978, facilitated by President Jimmy Carter, led to a peace agreement between Egypt and Israel and were a significant step towards regional stability.
• 🔄 The Iran Revolution in 1979, which toppled the pro-Western Shah, increased the strategic importance of Israel to the US as a regional ally.
• 💼 The 1980s saw a significant increase in US military aid to Israel and the development of joint military projects, despite some tensions over Israel's actions in Lebanon.
• 📈 Israel's weapons industry grew rapidly, becoming a major supplier to the US, reflecting the deepening strategic partnership between the two countries.
• 🕊️ The 1990s focused on peace initiatives, including the Oslo Accords, which aimed at a two-state solution for Israel and Palestine, with the US playing a supportive role.
• 🔄 Despite occasional tensions, such as between Presidents Obama and Netanyahu, the US has consistently supported Israel, including at the UN Security Council.

Q & A

What significant event occurred on May 14th, 1948, and how did President Truman respond?

On May 14th, 1948, the state of Israel was declared. President Truman, despite being known as an anti-Semite, recognized the new Jewish state 11 minutes after its declaration, becoming the first world leader to do so.

Why was Israel not initially a focus for the United States during the Cold War?

During the early stages of the Cold War, the United States was primarily focused on containing Soviet influence in the region. Saudi Arabia and Iran were considered top allies, and Israel was not on America's radar, sometimes even appearing on the opposite side.

What was the outcome of the 1956 Suez Crisis, and how did the United States respond?

The 1956 Suez Crisis involved an invasion of Egypt by Israel, Britain, and France to take control of the Suez Canal and topple President Gamal Abdul Nasser. The United States disapproved of the invasion, and President Eisenhower refused to support it, leading to the plan's failure.

How did the 1967 Six-Day War change the United States' view of Israel?

The 1967 Six-Day War demonstrated Israel's military strength when it defeated the Arab armies in just six days. This victory impressed the United States, which saw Israel as a strong military ally to project American interests in West Asia.

What was the significance of the 1973 Yom Kippur War for the U.S.-Israel relationship?

The 1973 Yom Kippur War was significant as the United States was much more proactive in supporting Israel, sending tanks, fighter jets, and ammunition. This support is often credited with saving the day for Israel and solidifying the U.S. as a key ally.

What was the purpose of the Camp David Accords signed in 1978?

The Camp David Accords aimed to establish peace in the region with three main components: self-rule for Palestinians in the West Bank and Gaza, a peace deal between Egypt and Israel, and a template for other Arab neighbors to follow for peace with Israel.

How did the 1981 strategic cooperation agreement between the U.S. and Israel impact military support?

The 1981 strategic cooperation agreement led to the United States providing $1.8 billion annually to Israel. This financial support was intended to ensure restraint, although it did not prevent Israel's invasion of Lebanon in 1982.

What was the role of the Oslo Accords in the peace process between Israel and Palestine?

The Oslo Accords represented a significant step in the peace process, as they were the result of secret talks between Israeli and Palestinian representatives, leading to an agreement on a two-state solution that was formalized in a White House ceremony in 1993.

Why did the U.S. need a strong ally like Israel after the events of 9/11 and the rise of Iran's nuclear program?

After 9/11, which involved Saudi terrorists, and the rise of Iran's nuclear program, the U.S. needed a strong, stable ally in the region. Israel, with its military strength and shared interests, fit the bill.

What has been the U.S. strategy in the region since the 21st century, and how does it involve Israel?

The U.S. strategy since the 21st century has been to mainstream Israel and foster peace with Arab countries. This includes political moves such as the normalization deals, the West Asia quad, and the Europe-India Railway Corridor, all aimed at integrating Israel into the regional and global community.

Outlines

00:00

🤝 The Pivotal Role of Eddie Jacobson in Truman's Support for Israel

This paragraph narrates the story of Harry Truman's initial reluctance to support Israel due to his anti-Semitic views, as evidenced in his personal letters. Despite this, Truman's old friend Eddie Jacobson persuaded him to meet with Chaim Weizmann, a key Zionist leader. Truman's subsequent promise and eventual recognition of Israel as the first world leader on May 14, 1948, marked a significant shift in U.S. foreign policy. The narrative suggests that while Jacobson may have influenced Truman's decision, the long-term alliance between the U.S. and Israel is rooted in strategic military and political interests, amounting to $150 billion in aid.

05:02

🔄 Shifting Alliances and the Formation of the U.S.-Israel Relationship

The second paragraph delves into the geopolitical dynamics of the 1950s and 1960s, highlighting the U.S.'s initial misinterpretation of Arab nationalism as communism, leading to the search for regional allies to counter Soviet influence. It discusses the CIA-backed coup in Iran, the Suez Crisis, and the U.S.'s disapproval of the joint invasion by Israel, Britain, and France. The paragraph emphasizes the turning point in 1967 when Israel's swift victory in the Six-Day War caught the attention of the U.S., which began to see Israel as a valuable military ally. The narrative then moves to the 1973 Yom Kippur War, where U.S. support for Israel solidified the relationship, leading to a win-win scenario where the U.S. armed Israel, and Israel protected American interests in the region.

10:05

🏛 The Evolution of U.S.-Israel Relations from Camp David to the Present

The final paragraph outlines the evolution of U.S.-Israel relations from the Camp David Accords under President Jimmy Carter, which led to Egypt recognizing Israel, to the strategic military cooperation initiated by Ronald Reagan. It touches on the controversial invasion of Lebanon by Israel and the U.S.'s complex response, including peacekeeping efforts and joint military exercises. The paragraph also covers the designation of Israel as a major non-NATO ally, the growth of Israel's weapons industry, and the peace process in the 1990s, including the Oslo Accords. It concludes with the impact of the 21st-century events like 9/11 and the Iran nuclear deal on the U.S.-Israel relationship, highlighting the U.S.'s unwavering support for Israel despite occasional tensions, and the current efforts to mainstream Israel in the region for long-term peace and stability.

Keywords

💡Harry Truman

Harry Truman was the 33rd President of the United States, serving from 1945 to 1953. He is significant in this video's context as he was the first world leader to recognize the state of Israel in 1948, despite his personal anti-Semitic views which were revealed in his letters to his wife. This decision marked a pivotal moment in U.S.-Israeli relations.

💡Eddie Jacobson

Eddie Jacobson was a close friend of President Truman and a Jewish businessman who played a crucial role in persuading Truman to support the establishment of Israel. His request for Truman to meet with Chaim Weizmann, a leader of the Zionist movement, led to Truman's eventual support for the Jewish state.

💡Chaim Weizmann

Chaim Weizmann was a Zionist leader and the first President of Israel. In the video, he is depicted as having an influential meeting with President Truman, which resulted in U.S. support for the newly declared state of Israel, illustrating the importance of diplomatic relations in international politics.

💡Anti-Semitism

Anti-Semitism refers to hostility or prejudice against Jewish people. In the video, it is mentioned that President Truman had anti-Semitic biases, which complicates the narrative of his support for Israel. This term is key to understanding the personal beliefs versus political actions of historical figures.

💡Cold War

The Cold War was a period of geopolitical tension between the United States and the Soviet Union and their respective allies, from the end of World War II until the early 1990s. The video discusses how the Cold War dynamics influenced U.S. foreign policy in West Asia, particularly in seeking allies to contain Soviet influence.

💡Arab Nationalism

Arab nationalism is a political ideology that advocates for the political union of Arab countries. The video mentions that the U.S. misinterpreted the rise of Arab nationalism as communism, leading to a search for allies in the region, which affected U.S.-Israeli relations and regional politics.

💡Suez Crisis

The Suez Crisis of 1956 was a military conflict over the nationalization of the Suez Canal by Egypt's President Nasser. The video describes how Israel, Britain, and France attempted to invade Egypt to take control of the canal, but the U.S. disapproved and pressured them to withdraw, reflecting the complexities of international alliances.

💡Six-Day War

The Six-Day War in 1967 was a conflict between Israel and neighboring Arab countries. The video highlights Israel's swift victory in the war, which caught the attention of the U.S. and marked a turning point in U.S.-Israeli relations as the U.S. began to see Israel as a strong military ally in the region.

💡Yom Kippur War

The Yom Kippur War of 1973 was another conflict between Israel and Arab nations. The video notes the U.S.'s proactive support for Israel during this war, including military aid, which solidified the U.S. as a key ally for Israel and further strengthened their relationship.

💡Camp David Accords

The Camp David Accords were a set of agreements signed in 1978 between Israel and Egypt, facilitated by U.S. President Jimmy Carter. The video explains that these accords included provisions for Palestinian self-rule and a peace treaty between Egypt and Israel, marking a significant step towards regional stability.

💡Strategic Cooperation

Strategic cooperation refers to the alignment of goals and interests between nations for mutual benefit. The video discusses a 1981 agreement between the U.S. and Israel for strategic cooperation, which included U.S. military aid to Israel and joint military exercises, reflecting the deepening of the U.S.-Israeli alliance.

💡Oslo Accords

The Oslo Accords were a set of agreements between Israel and the Palestine Liberation Organization, reached in secret negotiations in 1993. The video mentions the U.S. President Bill Clinton hosting a ceremony for the formalization of the accords, which represented a significant step towards a two-state solution.

💡Normalization Deals

Normalization deals refer to the establishment of diplomatic relations between countries that previously did not recognize each other, often in the context of resolving long-standing conflicts. The video discusses U.S. efforts to mainstream Israel in the region through such deals, aiming for peace and stability in West Asia.

Highlights

Harry Truman, despite his known anti-semitism, promised support for the state of Israel and was the first world leader to recognize it in 1948.

The US-Israeli alliance has been attributed to Eddie Jacobson's influence on Truman, but strategic military aid worth $150 billion has solidified the relationship.

In the 1950s, the US sought allies to contain Soviet influence in West Asia, with Saudi Arabia and Iran as top choices, leading to the 1953 CIA-backed coup in Iran.

Israel's involvement in the 1956 Suez Crisis, alongside Britain and France, showcased its military capabilities and drew US attention.

The 1967 Six-Day War demonstrated Israel's military strength, impressing the US and leading to increased support.

The 1973 Yom Kippur War saw the US actively supporting Israel with military aid, marking a significant shift in the relationship.

The 1979 Iranian Revolution led to the US seeking a stronger alliance with Israel to protect its interests in the region.

Henry Kissinger's negotiations in the mid-1970s aimed to end conflicts and promote peace in the region, with limited success.

The Camp David Accords in 1978, facilitated by Jimmy Carter, marked a historic peace agreement between Egypt and Israel.

Ronald Reagan's presidency focused on strengthening military cooperation with Israel, leading to strategic agreements and increased funding.

The 1982 Lebanon War saw controversy over US support for Israel's actions, with official denials but suspicions of tacit approval.

Reagan's response to the 1983 Beirut Marine barracks bombing involved allowing Israel to take a more active role in regional security.

The 1980s saw a significant growth in Israel's weapons industry, with sales to the US increasing from $9 million to $240 million.

The Oslo Accords in the 1990s represented a renewed effort towards a two-state solution for Israel and Palestine.

The assassination of Israeli Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin in 1995 derailed peace进程, setting back the Oslo Accords' progress.

The 21st century has seen the US and Israel grow closer due to shared security concerns, such as the 9/11 attacks and Iran's nuclear ambitions.

Despite tensions between Barack Obama and Benjamin Netanyahu, US support for Israel remained steadfast, including protection at the UN Security Council.

Donald Trump's presidency marked a period of strong US-Israel relations, with recognition of Israeli control over the Golan Heights and the US Embassy move to Jerusalem.

The US's long-term investment in the relationship with Israel is driven by a desire for maximum returns, including normalization and peace with Arab countries.

Transcripts

[Music]

it was March 1948 Harry Truman was

President of the United States one

morning he had a guest an old friend

named Eddie Jacobson a Jew now Jacobson

had a favor to ask he wanted Truman to

meet chime wisman he was a top leader of

the world Zionist organization also a

future president of Israel at first

Truman was not pleased he was a known

anti-semite his letters to his wife were

filled with anti-jewish bias but that

morning Truman relented he agreed to

meet WIS men and when he did he promised

us support for the state of Israel

months later he did just that on May

14th 1948 the state of Israel was

declared 11 minutes later 11 minutes

after the Declaration Truman signed a

press release he was the first world

leader to recognize the new Jewish State

his own diplomats could not believe it

some of them apparently burst out

laughing they thought How Could An

anti-semite support Israel but in 1948

that's how things played out it's been

75 years since then today Israel and the

US are special allies many biographers

credit Eddie Jacobson for Truman's

decision Maybe did play a role but

favors do not lead to military aid worth

$150 billion only strategy

does so how exactly did that strategy

emerge why are America and Israel best

buddies time for a

[Music]

flashback the 1950s made one thing clear

West Asia would be affected by the Cold

War Arab nationalism was on the rise but

Washington mistook it for communism so

US presidents hunted for allies they

wanted to contain Soviet influence in

the region Saudi Arabia and Iran were

their top choices the Saudis were on

board Iran was not so in 1953 the CIA

plotted a coup they installed the pro

Western Sha of

Iran where was Israel all this time not

really on America's radar and sometimes

on the opposite side like in 1956 that's

when Israel Britain and France hatched a

plan their target Egypt and the sus

Canal Egypt's President was Gamal Abdul

Naser he was a celebrated Arab leader in

1956 he nationalized the sus Canal

Britain was appalled they plotted with

Israel and France the plan was to invade

Egypt take over the canal and topple

Naser just one problem though the United

States disapproved when the fighting

began President Eisenhower of the US put

his foot down he refused to support the

invasion so in the end the plan failed

Eisenhower's successor was John F

Kennedy he too put pressure on Israel by

the 1960s Israel was building nuclear

weapons all top secret stuff but Kennedy

wanted Israel to stop to not build

nuclear weapons but all of this would

change in 1967 that's when Arab

countries waged war on Israel and they

had another thing

coming in 6 days Israel routed the Arab

armies it was a comprehensive Victory

even the Americans had to take notice at

that point their fortunes were very

different America stuck in Vietnam

Israel beating back the Arabs and that

too without any Western support So

Washington was thoroughly impressed they

thought here's our best chance a strong

military to project our interests in

West Asia no split leadership no Clan

rivalries no Kings or emers with

Tantrums Israel was a democracy like the

US from that point on there was no

looking back in 1973 there was another

War Arab neighbors attacked Israel again

but this time the US was much more

proactive they sent tanks fighter jets

and ammunition many say America saved

the day that without America's support

the Arab armies would have won so now

the relationship was was a win-win

America armed Israel in return Israel

protected American interests after

1979 that became more important there

was a revolution in Iran in that year

the pro Western sha was toppled so one

US Ally gone in his place came the

Ayatollah a leader who made America

Public Enemy Number One so Washington

needed Israel even more but this plan

had a problem Israel's neighbors did not

need Israel they supported Palestine

none of them even recognized the Jewish

state so the US went went about fixing

that in the mid 1970s that was Henry

Kissinger's job first he talked Ted to

Israel in Syria then to Israel in Egypt

he negotiated an end to the 1973 War

even got Israel to give up some of its

land and this work continued under the

next Administration that of Jimmy Carter

in 1978 he hosted a historic meeting the

venue was the presidential retreat at

Camp David Israel was represented by

prime minister minim beIN Egypt by

President Anar Sadat think apples and

oranges beIN was a protocol man he came

dressed in a full suit saddat was much

more relaxed he turned up in Sporting

apparel it took 13 days to thrash out an

agreement what is called the Camp David

Accords it had three parts Palestinians

would have self-rule in West Bank and

Gaza Egypt and Israel would sign a peace

deal other Arab neighbors would follow

Egypt's template the next year a peace

deal was signed Egypt recognized Israel

it was the first Arab country to do so

but other Arab countries Ries were not

thrilled they kicked Egypt out of the

Arab League So the plan was only

partially successful in the next decade

came a new president Ronald Reagan he

focused on the military aspect of this

relationship in 1981 he signed an

agreement for strategic cooperation

America was now giving $1.8 billion to

Israel 1.8 billion every year in return

they hoped for restraint but they were

wrong the next year in 1982 isra invaded

Lebanon and a lot has been said about

this Arab countries say the US supported

this Invasion that Israel would never

have done this without Washington's

permission but officially the White

House denied it Reagan's own AIDS were

split some wanted to reign in Israel

others wanted to give the green light at

first Reagan chose option one he

criticized Israel's bombing of beu even

sent peacekeepers to keep Israel at Bay

but in 1983 that changed extremists

attacked US Marines in Beirut more than

200 of them were killed now Reagan had

two options again either deploy more

troops to exact revenge or let Israel do

the Dirty Work and since the Pentagon

would not give him troops he chose the

second option let Israel do the Dirty

Work he signed another agreement with

Israel and this was much broader the two

sides now held joined drills developed

fighter jets together conducted bombing

practice at one point Israel hosted

voice of America transmitters they would

blast us propaganda into Southern Soviet

Union Peak Cold War

stuff in 1987 they signed another deal

this time Israel was declared a major

non-nato Ally all of this had one major

consequence Israel's weapons industry

became massive in 1983 they sold weapons

worth $9 million to the US by 1988 it

was worth 240 million tells you how

rapid the growth was if the the ' 80s

was about arms the '90s was again about

peace the first Ina was underway it was

a message to not ignore the question of

Palestine Plus in 1991 the Cold War

ended so the us could put more pressure

on Israel it wasn't easy though Israel's

government was hard right they were not

willing to make any concessions at one

point the Americans were fed up

especially James Baker he was the US

Secretary of State it's going to take

some

really good faith

affirmative effort on the part of our

good friends in Israel everybody over

there should know that the telephone

number is 1

2024561414 when you're serious about

peace call us back channels had more

success like the one in Oslo

representatives from Israel and

Palestine talked in secret they agreed

to a two-state solution in 1993 the

agreement was formalized US President

Bill Clinton hosted a White House

ceremony Israel was represented by prime

minister Yak grain Palestine by yasar

Arafat the two men shook hands and

signed the documents the next year in

1994 Jordan recognized Israel it was a

second Arab country to do so so things

were looking up peace was looking

possible but extremists on both sides

had other plans one such extremist

assassinated prime minister Robin so

back to square one in the 21st century

the US and Israel have come closer there

are many reasons for that like 911 which

involves Saudi terrorists Riyad was

supposed to be an American Ally yet they

could not stop it plus Iran was going

Nuclear So Washington needed a strong

stable Ally once again only Israel fit

the

bill it was never a perfect relationship

though like in the early 2010s President

Barack Obama and prime minister Benin

Netanyahu could not stand each other

Obama signed a nuclear deal with nanahu

trashed it in the US

Congress but through it all the support

never wavered the US continues to

protect Israel at the UN Security

Council they've used The veto more than

50 times for Israel even during Obama's

time then came president Donald Trump

arguably Israel's best friend in

Washington he recognized Israel's

control over Goan Heights he also

shifted the US Embassy to Jerusalem

despite all this America's concern

Remains the Same

Arab Israel rivalry Washington has

invested billions into this relationship

but like any investor they want returns

maximum returns and for that Israel has

to be

mainstreamed it has to be at peace with

Arab

countries everything they do is aimed at

that political endgame the normalization

deals the so-called West Asia quad the

Europe India Railway Corridor it's all

about mainstreaming Israel and you have

to ad admit Washington is a confident

investor they have risked the wroth of

the Arab world in sticking with Israel

even now during the Gaza War but 75

years is a long time to wait for Returns

on an

investment so at what point does

Washington cut its losses Israel will be

hoping

[Music]

never

all