Following World War Two the world stood at a new beginning. The United States had finally taken its spot as Superpower acting globally and the Jewish people, after the horrors they had experienced under Nazi persecution were finally given the opportunity to return to what they considered their “promised land” to live in their own state.
In 1948 the state of Israel was officially founded and with it the entire Middle-East would change. While Imperialism and Colonialism had been dominating the centuries before a new world was about to begin, at the very least for the people in the Middle-East.
Since then U.S. foreign policy in the Middle-East has been dominated by the United States’ foreign policy towards Israel. The relations between these two nations has often been described as a special friendship, a friendship in which the two nations stick together regardless of right or wrong.
This text undertakes the difficult task of examining the origins of this truly special friendship and the implications of this on U.S. foreign policy. One of the central questions to examine is without a doubt whether the United States’ support for the state of Israel is based upon a small but powerful Jewish lobby within the United States or whether it is much more so because of fundamental ideals and values shared by both nations and its people.
The text points out many fundamental ideologies and ideas about the world and the two nation’s role in this world in an attempt to get to the root of this truly unique friendship between the United States and Israel.
Table of Contents
1. Introduction
2. Beginning Examination
3. Origins of U.S. support for Jewish State
4. U.S. attitude towards Israel has biblical roots
5. U.S. and Israel – Settler States
6. The Six Day War (1967) and afterwards – A turn to the right
7. Religious Revivals in the U.S. and growing support on the right
8. Conclusion
Research Objectives and Key Themes
This essay explores the historical and ideological foundations of the "special friendship" between the United States and Israel, examining whether this alliance is primarily driven by political lobbying or by deeply rooted shared values and historical ideals.
- The influence of religious and biblical narratives on U.S. foreign policy.
- The sociological comparison between the United States and Israel as "settler states."
- The impact of the 1967 Six Day War on shifting American political support.
- The role of conservative religious revivals in shaping modern pro-Israel sentiment.
Excerpt from the Book
U.S. and Israel – Settler States
Another aspect both the United States and Israel have in common is their status as what is called a “settler – state.” A settler-state is defined as a nation formed by people who came to control their current lands through displacing the original population. (Russel, 2008) While the Jewish people displaced the Palestinians when they returned to their land, the American people displaced the Native Americans as they took possession of much of the North American continent.
In addition both the United States and Israel have a history of conflict and confrontation with those they displaced and both sought justification for their actions from similar sources, mainly biblical and sometimes economical justifications. (Russel, 2008)
John Quincy Adams the Sixths President of the Unites States wrote in the early 19th century: “Shall the Indians doom an immense region of the globe to perpetual desolation?” (Russel, 2008) This statement shows the idea of superiority and the idea of being destined by God to take possession of this holy land. And as a result the general understanding in the United States is one recognizing the situation of the Jewish people in regards to Palestine as following a similar fate.
As the Jewish people returned to Palestine. the land which had been one of the poorest and most backward regions of the Ottoman Empire, began to prosper. Many thus saw once again proof for Israel’s claim to the land, both in Israel and in the United States. The TIME magazine wrote in 1946: “The springs of Jewish colonizing vigour, amply fed by the money of the world Jewry, flowed in the desert.” (Russel, 2008)
Summary of Chapters
Introduction: Outlines the historical context of the post-WWII era and establishes the primary research question regarding the drivers of U.S.-Israeli relations.
Beginning Examination: Discusses the Truman administration's recognition of Israel and challenges the notion that this support was solely the result of lobbyist pressure.
Origins of U.S. support for Jewish State: Traces the historical roots of American interest in a Jewish state back to the early 19th century and the influence of Protestant ideals.
U.S. attitude towards Israel has biblical roots: Examines how the American self-identification with biblical history mirrors the narrative of the ancient Hebrews.
U.S. and Israel – Settler States: Analyzes the sociological parallels between the two nations regarding land acquisition and displacement narratives.
The Six Day War (1967) and afterwards – A turn to the right: Details the shift in American political support from the left to the right following the 1967 conflict.
Religious Revivals in the U.S. and growing support on the right: Explores how religious movements and changing perceptions of global enemies consolidated conservative support for Israel.
Conclusion: Summarizes how shared values and public perception, rather than just political lobbying, continue to sustain the special relationship.
Keywords
United States, Israel, Foreign Policy, Special Friendship, Settler States, Biblical Roots, Six Day War, Evangelical Christians, Zionism, Protestantism, Political Lobbying, Middle East, Diplomacy, Cold War, Public Opinion
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the core subject of this essay?
The essay investigates the origins and motivations behind the diplomatic and political "special friendship" that exists between the United States and Israel.
What are the primary themes discussed?
Key themes include the historical role of religion, the ideological concept of settler states, the impact of the Six Day War, and the influence of American political shifts on foreign policy.
What is the central research question?
The author questions whether U.S. support for Israel is a product of powerful lobbying or if it is deeply embedded in the shared historical and moral values of the American public.
Which scientific method is utilized?
The work employs a historical and political analysis, drawing on primary source statements, historical documents, and existing scholarly literature to interpret the evolution of the U.S.-Israel relationship.
What is covered in the main body?
The main body moves from the early 19th-century origins of support through biblical narratives and the post-1967 political shift towards the religious right, while comparing the colonial histories of both nations.
Which keywords best describe the document?
Significant keywords include United States, Israel, Foreign Policy, Settler States, Biblical Roots, and Evangelical Christians.
How did the 1967 Six Day War influence American support?
The victory in 1967 shifted American sentiment, particularly among conservative political groups and evangelical Christians, who began to view Israel as a strategic and moral ally against common enemies.
What role do "settler state" definitions play in this analysis?
The author uses the "settler state" framework to highlight how both nations interpret their history of land acquisition and displacement through similar moral or biblical lenses.
How does the author view the influence of the "Jewish lobby"?
The author argues that while lobbying exists, public sentiment and shared cultural values play a far more significant and underlying role in maintaining the alliance.
How did 9/11 affect the perception of this relationship?
The events of September 11, 2001, caused the U.S. to redefine its global enemies, further aligning American interests with Israel's struggle against terrorism and perceived common threats in the Middle East.
- Citar trabajo
- Daniel Charwath (Autor), 2009, The United States and Israel, Múnich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/160762
