Israel's alliance with America is vital, but Jerusalem can't outsource its security

Israel must nurture its vital alliance with the United States while firmly asserting that its security is its own responsibility. The U.S.-Israel partnership is one of history's most significant, with American backing bolstering Israel's defenses, deterrence, and international standing.

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Israel must deepen its alliance with the United States while making clear that responsibility for Israeli security rests with Jerusalem alone.

However, Israel cannot rely on friendship for an absolute security guarantee. U.S. presidents are elected to serve American interests, and Israeli prime ministers are elected to serve Israeli interests. While these often align, they can also diverge. This reality is particularly relevant as Washington engages in regional diplomacy that directly impacts Israel's security.

Israel should engage in diplomacy, coordinate efforts, and voice disagreements when necessary, all while preserving the alliance. Crucially, it must remember that no foreign power, however friendly, can be expected to bear the ultimate burden of Israel's survival. This understanding is not new; it's a cornerstone of Israeli national security doctrine since its founding.

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The US-Israel relationship is one of the most important strategic partnerships in modern history.

Leaders like David Ben-Gurion and Menachem Begin recognized that declarations of support could falter in critical moments. Ben-Gurion believed Israel's fate depended on its own strength and moral clarity, a lesson forged by Jewish history's experiences of abandonment. This led to the "Begin Doctrine," asserting Israel's right to act independently to prevent enemies from acquiring weapons of mass destruction, a principle echoed in the 2007 strike on Syria's al-Kibar facility.

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American support has helped Israel militarily, diplomatically, technologically, and economically.

This lesson is urgently relevant today, with Iran posing a significant regional threat and its proxies surrounding Israel. Forces like Hezbollah, Hamas, and the Houthis demonstrate that hostile intentions persist despite declarations or ceasefires. Israel must pursue diplomacy that serves its national interests while remaining prepared to act alone when its survival is at stake.

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At the same time, Israel cannot confuse friendship with a security guarantee.