Perspectives

Israel at 60

The case for continued U.S. relations with Israel

By Benjamin Chapman

From the May 2008 Print Edition

This month, the nation of Israel turns 60. Many readers are probably wondering what relevance Israel has for their lives. Many more associate Israel with conflict. And too many academics brand Israel an “apartheid” state. What has Israel accomplished in the last 60 years and why should anyone care? Why should anyone, let alone Americans and conservatives, support Israel?

The state of Israel was created in 1948 to be a Jewish homeland, a state where Jews around the world can easily and safely seek refuge from thousands of years of anti-Semitism across the world. Yet Israel is not a state for Jews alone. Israel recognizes 15 different religions and allows the free practice of any faith; it is the only state in the Middle East to do so. More than 1 million Arabs, 20 percent of Israel’s population, live in Israel with more political, civil, and religious rights than any other Arabs in the region. There are Arab- Israeli political parties that operate freely in the Knesset, Israel’s parliament.

Israel is a liberal democracy with a rating from Freedom House, a nonpartisan international nongovernmental institution, of 1. Israel actively engages in humanitarian relief efforts in Africa and across the globe, standing up to genocide in Sudan and building houses for the poor in Nicaragua. Israel and the United States share the same values and commitment to democracy, human rights, and freedom.

These values of democracy and human rights are important, especially since the United States is engaged in the war on terror. Israel has been a steadfast partner in that fight against terrorists and extremists. Israel is the only stable democracy in the Middle East (Afghanistan and Iraq are still up-and-coming) and, in that vital region of the world, it is essential to the security of the United States that we have a strong, democratic ally while we engage our enemies. Israel helps protect America from terrorist networks. Israel actively engages Hezbollah, a terrorist organization responsible for the deaths of more than 200 U.S. Marines. Israel’s enemies are enemies of America, too. Israel and the United States fight terrorism together.

Of course, there are more reasons to like Israel beyond conflicts and war. Israel’s story is one any student of U.S. history can relate to. It is the story of pioneers making a perilous, arduous trek, a story of withstanding a harsh desert climate to build irrigation ducts, farms, cities, and civilization, making the desert bloom. It is the story of the cowboys who braved the Wild West and the story of Jewish refugees fleeing from thousands of years of persecution to build their homeland. It is the story of rugged pioneers who helped build a country.

Today, Israel is very much a part of American life. Prominent Israeli-Americans include actress Natalie Portman, cartoonist Ralph Bakshi, and rock star Gene Simmons. Israelis have contributed much to the fabric of U.S. culture and society. In the business world, Jerry Zucker represents Israeli-Americans well, as CEO of the InterTech Group. He is on the Forbes richest 500 Americans list.

What about Israelis in Israel? Israel is a global leader when it comes to the forefront of technology and innovation. The percentage of people in Israel engaged in research and the amount of money spent on research and development in relation to GDP is the highest in the world. Motorola cellular phones depend on Israeli innovation. Additionally, Israel has more museums per capita than any other state in the world. Israel houses the sites holiest to Christianity, Islam, and Judaism, and allows free access to all. Israel is at once ancient and modern. It is a place that Americans can relate to, whether they are wandering the streets of modern, urban Tel Aviv or walking the same Biblical trails as Jesus of Nazareth.

So the next time you think of Israel, don’t just think of concrete structures, terrorism, and bombs. Instead, look beyond that. There are many positive things to say about Israel. Think about rocking out all night with KISS (and partying every day). Think of your cell phone. Think of falafel. Think of your faith. Most of all, remember that the United States and Israel stand united in shared hopes, shared dreams, and a shared future of peace. That is the dream both the United States and Israel are fighting for, together. The United States should continue to support Israel.

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