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.
Inhaltsverzeichnis (Table of Contents)
- Introduction: The United States and Israel
- Beginning Examination
- Origins of U.S. support for Jewish State
- U.S. attitude towards Israel has biblical roots
- U.S. and Israel – Settler States
Zielsetzung und Themenschwerpunkte (Objectives and Key Themes)
This essay aims to examine the origins of the close friendship between the United States and Israel and the impact of this relationship on U.S. foreign policy. It explores the reasons behind the United States' strong support for Israel, analyzing whether it stems from a powerful Jewish lobby or shared values and ideologies. The essay also delves into the historical and religious connections that underpin this unique bond.
- Origins and evolution of the U.S.-Israel relationship
- Impact of shared historical experiences and religious beliefs
- Influence of public opinion and political ideologies
- Role of the Jewish lobby in shaping U.S. foreign policy
- Comparison of the United States and Israel as "settler-states"
Zusammenfassung der Kapitel (Chapter Summaries)
- Introduction: The United States and Israel: This chapter introduces the concept of the special friendship between the United States and Israel, highlighting the historical context of their relationship after World War II and the founding of Israel in 1948. It lays out the central questions the essay will explore, particularly the motivation behind U.S. support for Israel.
- Beginning Examination: This section delves into the initial support for Israel by President Truman, emphasizing the public and political acceptance of Israel's recognition as an act of humanity. It examines public opinion polls demonstrating the widespread pro-Israel sentiment within American society.
- Origins of U.S. support for Jewish State: This chapter explores the historical roots of U.S. support for a Jewish state, tracing it back to the early 19th century. It highlights the religious and non-religious arguments that contributed to this support, including the belief in God's restoration of the Jewish people to their promised land, the concept of enlightenment through Jewish statehood, and the desire to reduce Jewish immigration to the United States.
- U.S. attitude towards Israel has biblical roots: This chapter examines the shared biblical and Christian heritage of both the United States and Israel. It explores the idea of the United States as a "new Canaan" and its self-identification as a nation with a divine mission, drawing parallels with the historical experiences of the ancient Hebrews.
- U.S. and Israel – Settler States: This chapter analyzes the shared status of both the United States and Israel as "settler-states." It explores the displacement of Native Americans in the United States and Palestinians in Israel, highlighting the similar justifications employed by both nations, including biblical and economic rationales.
Schlüsselwörter (Keywords)
Key concepts and themes explored in this essay include: U.S.-Israel relationship, special friendship, foreign policy, public opinion, Jewish lobby, shared values, historical experiences, religious beliefs, "settler-states," displacement, biblical interpretations, American exceptionalism.
- Citation du texte
- Daniel Charwath (Auteur), 2009, The United States and Israel, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/160762
