The news regarding international relations seems to have reaped nothing but bad news over the past several months.
Russia’s illegal invasion of Ukraine continues to claim lives, and Israel’s war in Gaza has claimed over 20,000 Palestinian lives as of the writing of this story. Of course, the war started when Hamas – a Palestinian terrorist organization motivated by a hateful ideology — killed over 1,200 in a terrorist attack in Israel, but Israel’s response has brought criticism from the international community.
If there’s one thing to be learned from this episode in history, the United States should reevaluate its relationship with Israel. Col. Joe Buccino, who served as US Central Command communications director, addressed this issue in a column in The Hill (Dec. 26), writing, “US Should Rethink its Uncritical Support of Israel.” He begins by asking what the US has to gain from uncritically backing the Jewish state, as our country has given Israel more than $300 billion in military aid since World War II. The retired colonel also said our Middle East ally has turned “Gaza into a dystopian hellscape in the face of international outrage” and he recommended scrutinizing “the flow of funds, not only in dollars but also in terms of international standing and moral authority.”
Since Israel’s founding in 1948, the US has given it far more military aid than any other nation. The partnership between our country and Israel is rooted in several geopolitical and domestic considerations, among them the identification with another democratic nation-state. However, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s right-wing coalition has recently threatened that reality.
Buccino addressed the influence of the Israel lobby: “Another factor in America’s tie to Israel — a critically important one among D.C. decision-makers — is the decades-long outsized influence of pro-Israel lobby groups. Pro-Israel groups ranked sixth among types of single-issue organizations in the amount they spent on lobbying ($8.3 million) during the 2022 election cycle, and seventh in terms of money funneled to congressional candidates ($61 million).”
The flow of money continued despite significant settlement expansion in the West Bank. American generosity continued to pour billions in the face of Netanayhu’s judicial overhaul bill, which limited the power of Israel’s High Court and sharply divided Israelis. America’s level of support for Israel is clear. What’s less clear is whether and how this support advances US interests.
The longstanding US support for Israel, exemplified through extensive military aid and political backing, demands a reevaluation. The latest episode in our and Israel’s history — the war in Gaza — raises questions about the alignment of US interests and values with the war.
The Gaza episode risks America’s standing in the international community, especially in the Middle East. As Buccino wrote, the time has come for the US to demand more accountability and alignment with its principles in exchange for its support, redefining a relationship that respects Israel’s sovereignty and still has respect for America’s foreign policy and international reputation.
To accomplish the task, a political force must emerge in the US – one that includes both Jews and non-Jews – that will challenge the power of the Israel lobby.
Jason Sibert of St. Louis, Mo., is the Lead Writer for the Peace Economy. St. Louis, Mo. Email jasonsibert@hotmail.com.
From The Progressive Populist, February 15, 2024
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