Word: east
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When the Israeli government announced new East Jerusalem settlements during Vice-President Biden’s visit, it seemed at first to be just another political misstep. But as weeks have passed, and with a chilly Israeli state visit to the White House, tensions have grown rather than decreased. We oppose the original construction of the settlements, and believe this incident provides an important opportunity for the U.S. to consider its relationship with Israel. It is time for the U.S. to reexamine its alliance with the country based on its national security and geopolitical realities...
...other hand, there are compelling reasons to maintain the alliance into the future. Israel’s growth into a military and economic power makes it less dependent on American aid, but a more valuable ally. Likewise, Israel remains the most democratic nation in the Middle East, and is far more committed to women’s rights, gay rights, and other civil liberties than its neighbors. Finally, the common history of aid shared by the U.S. and Israel cannot be disregarded. A similarly valuable alliance could not appear overnight...
America should keep these considerations in mind as it moves forward in its relationship with Israel and the other nations of the Middle East. But it also needs to remember a more abstract set of important principles. In general, it is prudent not to consider alliances permanent, but instead to reassess them regularly. While the U.S. is a far greater presence on the world stage than our founders envisioned, there is still wisdom in George Washington’s admonition to “steer clear of permanent alliances with any portion of the foreign world...
Ultimately, the key American interest in the Middle East, and in Israel in particular, is creating a lasting peace. When a tight relationship with Israel helps protect it against outside assault, allows the American government to shepherd the peace process, or mitigates against Israeli military strikes, America should seek closeness. But when, as now, such a relationship seems to endorse hard-line and counterproductive actions by the Israeli government, undermine long-stretched faith in American impartiality, and undercut the peace process, America should strive for distance. Vice-President Biden’s comment that “the United States...
...also important to remember that even if and when Israel’s relationship with America grows more distant, most American priorities in the Middle East will not change. Regardless of its particular alliances, America has a profound interest in the stability of the region, and should continue its efforts in that regard. More specifically, America should strive to prevent Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons. Such arms are not merely a threat to Israel; they are a threat to regional peace and the world moratorium on nuclear conflict...