Nothing Lasts Forever: A Danger to Israel

Anyone deluding himself that the relations between Washington and Jerusalem are excellent is completely wrong. At the conference held a few months ago in Haifa, all the participants arrived at the same conclusion: The current state of affairs endangers Israel’s standing.

World Jewish Congress President Ronald Lauder, one of the prime minister and his spouse’s closest friends, calls for Israel to immediately present a broad-scale, clearly planned political campaign for negotiations with no preconditions. This points to deep transformations in the U.S. attitude toward Israel.

Lauder is not one of President Obama or his administration’s close friends. Rather, he is the complete opposite. His move indicates the severity of the situation.

Speeches delivered at a multi-participant event held at Haifa University just a few months ago that addressed relations between Israel and the U.S., prior to the prime minister’s visit to Washington and his speeches in various forums, unveiled the fundamental controversies between the two heads of state [President Obama and Prime Minister Netanyahu] and exposed grave flaws in Israel’s policy toward the U.S.

Various experts, not only academics but also other prominent people who have been dealing with security and policy-making questions for decades and possess diverse political views, have arrived at the same conclusion: Current relations between Israel and the U.S. jeopardize Israel’s position from both political and security standpoints.

Though it is true that there has not yet been an irreparable rift, nothing guarantees that the U.S. would not make a very sharp U-turn in the foreseeable future.

Israel’s Security Leans on the U.S.

For now, Israel has no more crucial strategic asset than the U.S. Israel’s security leans on the U.S. and depends on it to a greater extent than generally believed. The gamble the present Israeli government is taking places Israel in front of the most significant hazards.

In the opinion of all participants, the doctrine of democratization in Arab and Muslim countries drives the Obama administration. The wave of revolutions occurring before our eyes holds the potential for achieving the goals of this American doctrine, though clearly it is also likely to fail, at least partially.

And here is the connection to Israel: Mr. Netanyahu has, not once past or present, spoken of democracy as the ultimate element for achieving regional peace. The Obama administration has been pursuing this direction much more than former President Bush, who entangled the U.S. in a war of which we have yet to see the end.

However, President Bush also pushed Israel to reach compromises including the establishment of a Palestinian state within the ’67 borders with territorial transfers and the like. Because of seriously eroding Israeli-U.S. relations, experts warn that it is possible that one day, when more democratic governments form in the region, Israel will not be uniquely the only democracy.

The results might be harsh. One specialist even reminded the assembly about the status of Taiwan and South Vietnam, which also used to be valuable American assets. The two countries found themselves all alone when American interests in that region faded away.

American Jews No Longer in Israel’s Pocket

The cooperation of this or another American administration, not just the president alone, is vital to Israel. One of those assembled brought up an illustrative example of how important the president’s people are and how great the disgust toward Israel is: A low-level official in charge of authorizing a deal with Israel adamantly refused to do so because of unstable relations between the two negotiating parties. All appeals to the highest echelons were unhelpful. The transaction never took place. Many in the present administration take a similar stance.

And a word regarding the American Jewry. Some believe the American Jewry is in Israel’s pocket. Their impression is that major Jewish organizations such as the pro-Israel lobby will always do anything for Israel. Experts warn Israeli leaders not to fall for these mantras.

The Jewry of the United States is not one monolith, though its majority votes for the Democratic Party. What primarily guides the American Jews are their own interests; only according to these priorities will they proceed. Whoever doubts this should consider the history of the U.S. Jewry during World War II.

Since the conference mentioned above, relations have deteriorated. Those who delude themselves into thinking that grace is everlasting and that the Americans will say Amen to whatever we do are wrong and misleading.