Michael Oren: Israel is the ultimate ally
Israel's ambassador to Washington publishes article in which he numerates reasons why Jewish State is best friend America can have. 'In return for its aid, US receives not only an armed but an innovative ally,' he claims
WASHINGTON- Amid looming tensions between US President Barack Obama and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Israel's Ambassador to Washington Michael Oren claims the United States needs the Jewish State now more than ever.
In an article published by Foreign Affairs magazine, the ambassador lists the reasons behind the two states' strong alliance, saying that Israel "shares America's values, reflects its founding spirit, and resonates with its people's beliefs.
The ambassador also noted that the Jewish State "helps secure America's borders and assists in saving American lives on and off the battlefield. And an ally stimulates the US economy through trade, technological innovation, and job creation."
'Israel shares America's values.' Obama and Netanyahu (Photo: Pete Souza)
According to Oren, "Few countries fit this description, but Israel is certainly one of them. As US President Barack Obama told a White House gathering, 'The United States has no better friend in the world than Israel,' a statement reflecting the positions of Democrats and Republicans alike."
'Not a liability'
In the article, Oren tried to refute the claim that the US continues to support Israel and transfer it an annual sum of $3 billion in aid only because of the Israeli lobby in Washington, and against American interest."Rather than viewing Israel as a vital American asset, an increasingly vocal group of foreign-policy analysts insists that support for the Jewish state, including more than $3 billion in annual military aid, is a liability," he wrote.
"The surveys prove that most Americans do not accept the argument that US support for Israel provokes Islamic radicals or do not especially care even if it does," the ambassador added.
Oren clarified that the benefits the US gains from its relations with Israel far outweigh the costs: "In return for its aid to Israel, the United States receives not only an armed but an innovative ally, enhancing America's military edge. That contribution is real and requires no lobbyists to fabricate it.
"As Assistant Secretary of State Andrew Shapiro put it, 'Israel is a vital ally and a cornerstone of our regional security commitments,' and accordingly, the two countries have developed the world's most advanced anti-ballistic missiles," he noted.
The timing of the publication of the article, which was featured on the magazine's front cover, was carefully planned ahead of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's scheduled visit to Washington next month and the annual American Israeli Political Activity Committee (AIPAC) conference, in which he is slated to be a keynote speaker.
Reactions to the article quickly surfaced – Professor Stephen Walt, co-author of the book "The Israel Lobby," responded with his own critical article, while Director of the Washington Institute for Near East Policy Robert Satloff lauded Israel's contribution to the United States.
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