The long-standing commitment of the United States to defend Israel and what it entails has been seldom addressed seriously by successive governments over the years. Taking this commitment as a firm policy, regardless of its partiality, the question remains: what is the United States defending exactly? Is it Israel’s territorial security, political independence, religious identity or sustainability? This question has become all the more urgent in view of Israel’s military incursions in Gaza, the West Bank and the latest war in Lebanon targeting Hezbollah.
Accepting an American guarantee for Israel’s territorial defence still leaves the question about the geography of its territory. Does it mean defending the territory over which Israel’s sovereignty is internationally recognised through various UN resolutions and the Oslo Accords? Or does the defense extend to Israeli land grabs in the occupied West Bank, East Jerusalem and now the devastated Gaza? What are American obligations? Does American protection extend to Israel’s offensive acts against international laws and treaties? Undoubtedly, the United States must decide the limits of its responsibilities to Israel’s defense.
Under the umbrella of American protection, Israel has rendered the Palestinian authority a fig leaf for its occupation of the West Bank and persecution and displacement of Palestinians. It has ripped up roads, sewers and water lines in Jenin and other parts of the presumed Palestinian controlled West Bank. The Israeli parliament has passed a resolution rejecting the formation of a Palestinian state on the West Bank. In Gaza more than 42,000 Palestinians have been killed and over 100,000 injured, while the remaining population, 2.1 million, has not only been made homeless, but have also endured inhumane, horrifying conditions, being driven back and forth as if they are cattle. Will Gazans forget or forgive the US’ role in the murder of their people, the irreparable loss of family and dear ones, and the absolute annihilation of their homes, schools and hospitals? No.
Similarly, emboldened by the “ironclad” support of the US, Israel is now systematically destroying Lebanon with intensive bombing and land invasion. New generations around Israel are being driven to continue the massacre under the guise of “defense”. In addition, the US has lost public support in the Middle East, even if Arab rulers continue cooperation for their personal interests, the masses are seething at Palestinians’ plight and sooner or later their feelings will find violent outpouring against their own rulers. The US’ regional interests are being jeopardised by the Israeli killing machine. The ground is being laid for years of resistance and periodic wars.
American defense of Israel should create conditions for it to live in peace with Palestinians. It is crucial for its own international standing and Israel’s long-term safety that the promises of freedom and prosperity for Palestinians are actively pursued
America's obligation to defend Israel should also include watching out for its own interests and advancing regional peace. Its closeness to Israel, should not come at the cost of alienating most of the Arab, Muslim and other Asian-African countries. It must maintain a balance of justice.
Israel has long struck a posture of domination in the region. It equates its security to the subjugation and intimidation of the Arabs and Palestinians. America should not be a party to Israeli policy. A peaceful co-existence should be the objective. US interests also lie in protecting human rights, avoiding wars, ensuring freedoms, fostering democracy, and building global consensus on the climate crisis. By neglecting these obligations in support of Israel, the US loses the trust of the countries in the Global South.
Undoubtedly, some of these actions are a part of the cycles of mutual reactions to the fights with Fatah for years and now Hamas and Islamic Jihad in Gaza. Yes, Hamas and Islamic Jihad have carried out acts of violence, such as the October 7th attack, but Israel has maintained a kill ratio of about 1:40 and more. On what Earth is that a proportional response?
The United States subscribes, at the verbal level, to the two-state solution, with self-determination for Palestinians. Yet, its actions negate this objective. It has supported Israeli actions with liberal supply of armaments, military backup and intelligence gathering. A large section of the US population has been jolted by Gaza’s massacres and humanitarian violations into demanding an effective stop to the supply of arms to Israel by the United States. They may not yet be a majority, but politicians will be hard pressed to ignore them completely in future.
American defense of Israel should create conditions for it to live in peace with Palestinians. It is crucial for its own international standing and Israel’s long-term safety that the promises of freedom and prosperity for Palestinians are actively pursued. Look at the crisis building at global scale: climate change, environmental degradation, immigration, shrinking labour force and aging population. The US needs credibility for its policies to ensure global cooperation. Its commitment to Israel should be re-evaluated considering its international obligations to peace and justice.