In this paper I take a close look at the historical development of the US-Israeli relations from the foundation of the state of Israel in the year 1948 to the present day. I try to analyze how the relationship between these countries evolved in the course of 50 years and how the recent political development like the war in Syria, the Arab Spring, the demographic change both in the United States and Israel will influence the relations between Israel and its closest ally.
Israel–United States relations are an important factor in the United States policy in the Middle East, and for this reason the US government has placed considerable importance on the maintenance of this close and supportive relationship. One of main expression of US support for Israel has been foreign aid. Since 1985, the US has provided the Jewish state with nearly $3 billion Dollars with Israel being the largest annual recipient of American aid from 1976 to 2004 and the largest cumulative recipient of aid since World War II.
But financial aid to Israel by the United States government is not all that US provides to Israel, Israel is also provided with enormous diplomatic, political and legal support by his most important ally.
Table of Contents
1. Introduction
2. The History of US Israeli relations
2.1 The US Israeli relations prior the Six Day War.
2.2 The relation between Israel and United States from 1967 to the end of the Cold War.
2.3 The US Israeli relations from the end of the Cold War to 9/11
2.4 George W. Bush and Barack Obama from 2001 to 2013.
3. The conclusion
Objectives and Topics
This assignment explores the historical evolution of the United States' relationship with Israel from 1948 to 2013, analyzing the factors that contribute to their strong bilateral bond, the impact of regional changes in the Arab world, and the shifts in diplomacy under different presidential administrations.
- Historical development of the US-Israel alliance from its inception.
- The strategic impact of major conflicts including the Six Day War and the 1973 war.
- The influence of US foreign policy towards the Middle East peace process.
- Challenges arising from the Arab Spring and the ongoing Syrian crisis.
- Shifts in support from American Jewry and the role of evangelical Christians.
Excerpt from the Book
The US Israeli relations prior the Six Day War.
Since 1917 the year in which the Balfour Declaration was issued promising British support for the creation of the Jewish homeland in Palestine, the Zionist idea and their longing for a Jewish state have enjoyed a great deal of support by many US government officials.
Indeed the Congress passed the Lodge-Fish resolution, the first joint resolution stating its support for "the establishment in Palestine of a national home for the Jewish people" on 21 September 1922. However despite this resolution and the fact that then US president Woodrow Wilson and his successors were all sympathetic to the Zionist cause, they did not have a clear stance on this issue as they did not want to get involved in the conflict between Arab and Jews in Palestine who at that time was under the British rule
The US president Roosevelt was not in favor of the Jewish state in Palestine since he was interested in maintaining good relations with Arab countries especially with Saudi Arabia which became a major US oil supplier during the Second World War. The Roosevelt’s opposition to the Jewish State grew even stronger after meeting with the Saudi King ibn Saud on February the 1 .1945, who warned Roosevelt that US support for the Zionist cause would have a negative impact on US Arab relation and would endanger the oil flow from Arab countries to the United States, putting at risk the dominant position of the United States in the Middle East. David Niels one of Roosevelt’s top advisers even claimed that Israel would not have been created if Roosevelt had lived longer.
Summary of Chapters
Introduction: Provides an overview of the US-Israel relationship, highlighting the importance of financial, diplomatic, and political support, and sets the goal for exploring the history and stability of this bond.
The History of US Israeli relations: Examines the early foundations of the alliance, tracing the support from US officials back to the period before 1948.
The US Israeli relations prior the Six Day War.: Details the period from the Balfour Declaration through the Eisenhower, Kennedy, and Johnson administrations, emphasizing the delicate balance between supporting Israel and maintaining ties with Arab states.
The relation between Israel and United States from 1967 to the end of the Cold War.: Analyzes the strategic shift after 1967, where Israel became the primary US ally in containing Soviet influence, and the impact of the 1973 war on bilateral relations.
The US Israeli relations from the end of the Cold War to 9/11: Discusses the role of the Clinton administration in the peace process, including the Oslo Accords and the Camp David Summit.
George W. Bush and Barack Obama from 2001 to 2013.: Explores how 9/11 redefined the alliance and how subsequent administrations navigated disagreements over settlements, Iran, and the aftermath of the Arab Spring.
The conclusion: Summarizes the enduring strength of the alliance while identifying modern challenges, including the Iranian nuclear issue, political changes in the Arab world, and shifting demographics within the American Jewish community.
Keywords
United States, Israel, Zionism, Middle East, Foreign Aid, Cold War, Six Day War, 9/11, Peace Process, Palestinians, Arab Spring, Iran, Diplomacy, American Jews, Strategic Alliance.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the core subject of this assignment?
The assignment fundamentally covers the historical development and the strategic political, economic, and diplomatic relationship between the United States and Israel from 1948 to 2013.
Which thematic fields are central to the study?
The study focuses on US foreign policy in the Middle East, the evolution of the Israeli state, the impact of regional wars, and the diplomatic interactions during various US presidential administrations.
What is the primary objective of this work?
The goal is to explore the history of US-Israel relations, identify the key factors contributing to their strong bond, and analyze how this relationship has been affected by modern geopolitical changes in the Arab world.
Which methodology is applied in the research?
The work utilizes a historical-analytical approach, reviewing past political events, government declarations, and diplomatic shifts between the two nations across different eras.
What topics are discussed in the main body?
The main body covers pre-1967 relations, the shift to a strategic alliance after the 1967 and 1973 wars, the peace efforts under President Clinton, and the management of regional tensions under Presidents Bush and Obama.
What key terms characterize the text?
Important keywords include the Arab-Israeli conflict, strategic alliance, foreign policy, diplomacy, peace process, and the regional influence of the Cold War and the War on Terror.
How did the 9/11 attacks change the US-Israel relationship?
The attacks shifted the dynamic by fostering increased cooperation between counter-terrorism agencies and creating a shared perception of common enemies, such as non-state terrorist groups like Hezbollah.
How has the stance of American Jews regarding Israel evolved according to the author?
The text suggests a trend of declining support among younger American Jews, who are increasingly sympathetic to liberal groups and the Two-State Solution, contrasting with the previous generation's unwavering support.
- Quote paper
- Alex Ovsienko (Author), 2013, US relations with Israel from 1948 to the present days, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/318427
