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US President Barack Obama at the Saban Forum in 2013. A special dialogue
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Photo: Getty Images
Haim Saban
Photo: Getty Images

No alternative for strategic Israel-US dialogue

Op-ed: The relationship with America is an important element in Israel's national security perception. We must not give it up or harm it, especially at a time of such significant regional and international changes.

The issue of the nature of the connection between Israel and the United States has been raised more intensely in recent years. The cliché says that the relationship is unbreakable, that both countries are the closest allies, sister countries. But do these statements stand the test of reality?

  

 

Recently, particularly around the nuclear agreement with Iran, the relationship appeared fractured and undermined. What sometimes looked like a conflict between leaders threatened to override common sense. Allow me to calm you down: Despite the tensions and despite the mistakes made on both sides, the relationship is strong.

 

The most prominent example is the special and unprecedented connection between Israel and the US in terms of military and intelligence cooperation. From Tehran to Tripoli, the Israelis and Americans are dealing - although in different prioritization - with religious fundamentalism, terror, nuclear proliferation and the undermining of the basic political order in the region's countries. Indeed, despite the serious crisis between the leaders, the security and intelligence cooperation has never been tighter, and I am saying this based on first-hand knowledge.

 

US Secretary of State John Kerry at the Saban Forum. Nurturing the dialogue in an attentive and open environment (Photo: Shahar Azran)
US Secretary of State John Kerry at the Saban Forum. Nurturing the dialogue in an attentive and open environment (Photo: Shahar Azran)

 

Despite the unprecedented cooperation in the working ranks, this bilateral connection - like in any relationship - must be maintained, particularly in light of the social and demographic changes which have been taking place over the years in the two countries. That is why the direct strategic dialogue between leaders, public representatives, journalists and businesspeople from the two countries is so important.

 

For that exact purpose, we established the Saban Forum more than 10 years ago, in order to nurture this dialogue and hold it in an attentive and open environment, without the background noises which sometimes disrupt the diplomatic dialogue. The participants discuss and listen to sincere reviews on the future of the international and regional system, on changes in the American and Israeli policies, and clarify controversial issues. This is a unique dialogue, both in terms of the participants' rank and in the possibility to create a real dialogue.

 

This forum also plays an important part in deepening the connection between the publics in the two countries. It has been attended by presidents, senators, ministers and secretaries of state and the top of the Israeli leadership. It is considered a favored platform for freely expressing one's opinion, and the meeting is therefore widely covered by the American media as well.

 

It's the best chance to raise urgent issues, clarify the disputes and allow a deeper dialogue. We learn from our rich experience that the American public, like the Israeli public, appreciates an honest and open dialogue, and that is exactly what it is getting in this forum.

 

Another critical element in the US-Israel relationship is the dialogue with moderate elements in the Arab states. Therefore, during the forum, we work to bring together Israeli statesmen and Arab representatives from Jordan, the Palestinian Authority and beyond. The created dialogue touches on the painful issues as well, but in a sincere and direct manner. The openness and the willingness to talk emphasize more than anything Israel's nature as a democracy, which is similar in many ways to the American democracy.

 

The connection with the US is an important element in Israel's national security perception. We must not give it up or harm it, especially at a time of such significant changes in the Middle East and in the world. The American support is critical for Israel's military and diplomatic strength, both on the administration level and on the public level, as reflected every year in the Friends of the Israel Defense Forces event in the US.

 

In order to preserve this connection, it's very important to maintain the special dialogue taking place in the forum, which allows a pressure-free discussion arena. Because there is no alternative for a strategic dialogue, especially at times of disagreement.

 


פרסום ראשון: 12.05.15, 13:59
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