Israel must reject permanent US military bases on its soil - opinion

An opinion piece published by the Jerusalem Post argues that Israel must unequivocally reject any proposal from the United States to relocate military bases or assets to its territory. The author, Ilan Pomeranc, asserts that such a move would be detrimental to Israel's security and strategic interests.

“

Absolutely not. That must be the immediate, unequivocal, and stern response from the State of Israel if and when any formal request to relocate American military bases or assets from other countries in the region to Israel is made by the US Central Command.

Pomeranc suggests that the US Central Command and the White House would likely propose such a relocation due to significant gaps in American military capabilities, as exposed during "Operation Epic Fury" against Iran. He points to the vulnerability of US military installations to asymmetrical threats from adversaries like Iran and China, which have already resulted in wounded personnel and the loss of sensitive equipment, costing billions of dollars.

The article highlights Israel's possession of the world's most advanced, battle-tested, and integrated multi-tiered aerial defense array as the primary reason for the US interest. Pomeranc argues that the US wishes to benefit from the protection offered by this "organism-like shield." However, he contends that for Israel, the decision must be viewed through the lens of its long history and past vulnerabilities.

“

These hybrid and asymmetrical capabilities possessed by weaker countries, such as Iran, as well as by great powers like China, also pose a challenge to other great powers, such as Israel and India.

The author concludes that accepting US bases would not only expose Israel to the same risks that plague American installations but also deepen its entanglement in regional conflicts. The piece, written as the author arrives in Rome, draws a parallel to historical empires, suggesting a need for Israel to learn from the past and prioritize its own security above all else.

“

And so, it is no surprise that Washington would very much want to rebase its assets in Israel, the country with the most advanced, battle-tested, effective, and integrated multitiered aerial defense array on planet earth.