JD Vance is wrong on US aid to Israel - here is what he failed to tell Americans - opinion

US military aid to Israel is a strategic partnership that benefits American interests, not merely a handout, according to an opinion piece in The Jerusalem Post. US Vice President JD Vance's suggestions that this aid grants Washington the right to dictate Israeli policy are described as a "troubling view" that reflects a "partial understanding of reality" or an "unfair attempt to exert political pressure."

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the American aircraft carrier that cannot be sunk

The article highlights that the annual $3.8 billion in military assistance, part of a $38 billion agreement through 2028, is not without return. Israel is characterized as "the American aircraft carrier that cannot be sunk," a vital ally in a region where the US invests heavily to maintain influence. When Israel confronts threats like Iran, Hezbollah, or Hamas, it simultaneously defends moderate Arab states and American interests, including international trade routes and global energy markets.

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When Israel acts against Iran, Hezbollah, Hamas, or the Houthis, it is not defending only itself. Its actions also contribute to the security of moderate Arab states and to the protection of American interests throughout the region.

Furthermore, the aid functions as an "American jobs program." Nearly all of the funds must be spent on US-made defense products, such as F-35 and F-15 fighter jets, Apache helicopters, and advanced munitions. This spending flows back into the American economy, bolstering the defense manufacturing supply chain and supporting tens of thousands of jobs at major companies like Lockheed Martin and Boeing. The piece argues that portraying the assistance as one-sided generosity misrepresents these facts.

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In other words, Israel performs a role that would otherwise require a far broader, more expensive, and more dangerous American military presence.