Why the U.S. Supports Israel – And Must Continue to Do So

After running into some opposition here regarding the state of Israel and Jews more broadly, I thought it would be appropriate to outline some causes for the perception of blind American support for the Jewish state, and why those causes are justified. There are four main reasons why America continues to unabashedly support Israel, even when its policies seem contrary to international or American values and law:
1) Both nations are “bastions” of democratic practice and liberal economic success. The U.S. sees Israel as a strategic ally in maintaining security, pushing forward peace, modeling democracy, and showing the world how economic success leads to national unification and individual prosperity in a region where such pillars of modern nations are either forsaken or constructed ineffectively. Since World War II, and even more so today, the U.S. looks to Israel as a dam, one that holds back an uncertain and unwieldy tide.
2) Both nations share similar cultural backgrounds, namely faith in a Judeo-Christian God. Again, in terms of regional neighbors, Israel is a unique position. With the exception of Lebanon – which on paper is a Christian state – the Middle East is overwhelmingly Muslim. While Muslims do share many traits in common with Jews and Christians – including a founding father, Abraham – as of late, the differences have appeared more striking than the similarities. Recent Islamist – I have adopted the habit of calling the religion “Islam” and the ideology “Islamism” – approaches to political independence and economic success, starting with the 1979 Iranian Revolution, have led to the cooption of Islamic and Islamist principles as a front for insurrection at the gates of the political and economic status quo. Israel, America, and the Jews, always scapegoats of the politically marginalized, have once again been bequeathed the dubious role of oppressor. As long as radicals and militants refuse to acknowledge – not accept – Western approaches to sustaining livelihoods, this divide will exist.
3) The U.S. feels a duty and responsibility to protect Israel and Jews after its failure to do so during the Holocaust of World War II. This point is self-evident. The Balfour Declaration that followed World War I set the stage for the transfer of power. The atrocities of World War II cemented an obligation in the minds of Europe and America. It has yet to be seen whether institutional memory will hold the same regard for Israel and her people once the Holocaust is only remembered and taught on the History Channel and in textbooks. Hopefully the U.S. will never forget its obligation to supply and support those that it forsook.
4) AIPAC, the American-Israeli political action committee in D.C., is one of the strongest political influence groups in the country. In Indonesian academic circles, and I imagine in other Muslim nations, AIPAC is often given as the number one rationale for why Israel garners such firm support from the U.S. While it is undeniable that AIPAC and its $70 million play a significant role in persuading policy makers to defend Israel, it is certainly not the only, or even the most important reason. AIPAC is a seventy year-old institution, whereas its Arab and Muslim counterparts are no more than toddlers in the life of American politics and foreign policy. It will be interesting to see what role Arab and Muslim political action committees play as they garner more clout over the coming years and decades.
None of these points are particularly original, but seen together on one page, I hope they contribute to a picture of the current Israeli-American relationship, and why it is – and must remain – so special. I welcome comments.