At a time such as now — when the Middle East is particularly tumultuous, and the futures of many Middle Eastern countries, such as that of America's longtime ally, Egypt, are uncertain — the strength and ensured continuity of the U.S.-Israel relationship is paramount. As the only established democratic state in the Middle East, Israel is an invaluable and strategic partner that shares mutual foreign policy and development goals with the United States. Israel's dependability is critical to the U.S.-Israel relationship. The United States has reaped many benefits from this strong relationship, ranging from security assistance to collaboration on military and technological advancements. Recent developments in such areas have been critical to U.S. national interests and security.
Unparalleled security cooperation between the United States and Israel enhances U.S. national interests. Israel has tremendous expertise in homeland security due to its constant need to address dangerous threats, which has benefited the United States through joint homeland security drills. The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and the National Guard have traveled to Israel to participate in such drills. In January 2010, Israel conducted a large-scale bio-terrorism drill simulating a smallpox outbreak caused by a terrorist attack. Since then, FEMA and the Israeli National Emergency Authority have signed formal agreements to conduct more joint-training drills. Secretary of Defense Robert Gates has described the U.S.-Israel defense relationship as "stronger than ever, to the mutual benefit of both nations".
In his fiscal year 2011 budget submission to Congress, Obama requested $3 billion in security assistance to Israel. This is part of a 10-year security agreement, the U.S.-Israel Memorandum of Understanding, which was established in 2007 and pledges $30 billion in security aid to Israel. The agreement is vital, as Israel faces multiple security threats, including threats from a nuclear Iran and missile attacks by internationally recognized terrorist organizations such as Hamas and Hezbollah. The growing arsenals of these terrorist groups, especially the expanding power of Hezbollah in Lebanon, as well as the imminent and pressing danger of Iran, demonstrate how essential it is to preserve Israel's regional strategic security in a turbulent area.
Almost all of U.S. foreign aid given to Israel is spent on American-made items. More specifically, about 75% of foreign aid received by Israel is spent on U.S.-made military products. Aid also contributes to the overall growth of Israel's economy, thereby putting Israel in a better position to purchase American and other international goods, which benefits the world economy as a whole. Spending on U.S. products positively contributes to significant job creation and growth at home. Recent calls to eliminate foreign aid to Israel due to the high deficit would harm both Israeli and U.S. interests in the long run.
Foreign aid is an essential part of the U.S. national security strategy that advances economic development and political stability across the globe. A large foreign aid budget reflects values we share with Israel, as foreign aid contributes to humanitarian efforts abroad that focus on reducing poverty and disease and promoting economic and social development.
Israel exhibited its commitment to humanitarian aid during the 2010 earthquake in Haiti. The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) was one of the first humanitarian forces to arrive in Haiti. Israel's experience with treating mass injuries due to damage inflicted by missiles and bombs made the IDF an ideal source for disaster response and assistance. Israel has dispatched crisis response teams when needed to areas around the world.
Israeli-developed technology has played a major part in assisting hardworking American troops in Iraq and Afghanistan. Such technologies include unmanned drones that can be used for intelligence purposes without placing the lives of U.S. soldiers in danger. In contrast, roadside bombs in Iraq and Afghanistan have caused the deaths of more than 2,000 troops. Additionally, Israeli-innovated vehicle armor tiles protect U.S. soldiers in armored personnel carriers.
One major innovation, the Emergency Bandage, pioneered by IDF, has recently played a major role in saving American lives in the recent Tucson shooting on Jan. 8. Sheriff deputies, who arrived to the scene before paramedics, used a $99 first-aid kit developed by a Tucson SWAT team medic, David Kleinman. The kit included the Emergency Bandage. Kleinman described how deputies reached for the Israeli-designed bandage "over and over at the scene."
Israeli research technology has also produced solutions to problems concerning water and food contamination and cyber warfare. Israel's Green movement has seen success in numerous environmental projects including reforestation, desalination of water and improving crop yields. Israel and the United States are also two of 15 nations working together to reduce the threat of attacks on computer networks, thus keeping each nation's online infrastructures safe and secure. The United States-Israel Binational Science Foundation, whose funding has in part sponsored the research of 37 Nobel Prize winners, demonstrates the collaboration between these two countries.
In addition to creating vital technology, Israel has demonstrated innovation through the development of its robust economy, made possible by an entrepreneurial and inventive spirit. In 2009, Israel was among the United States' 10 largest export markets for goods per capita — ahead of countries such as Mexico, Japan, and Germany.
As General David Petraeus, commander of U.S. forces in Afghanistan, stated, "Israel has been, is and will be an important strategic ally of the United States." In a volatile region often plagued by instability, the ability of the United States to rely on Israel is something that should not be taken for granted. The depth and importance of the U.S.-Israel relationship should be recognized and fostered, as Israel has proved itself to be, and remains, a highly instrumental and strategic ally to the United States.
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Elissa Miller is a freshman who has not yet declared a major. She is a member of Tufts Friends of Israel.
