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US-Israel bond faces strains but not rupture, historian says

From Jerusalem Post · () English

Translated from English, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Named sources Context piece
  • Presidential historian Gil Troy says the US-Israel relationship faces strains but is not at a rupture point.
  • He notes a rise in hard anti-Zionist sentiment within both major US political parties, amplified by social media.
  • Troy suggests Israel needs to better articulate its value to Americans as a

Presidential historian Gil Troy believes the long-standing alliance between the United States and Israel is experiencing strains but has not reached a breaking point. He notes that disagreements between leaders of both nations have been a recurring feature, often reflecting the relationship's depth rather than its collapse.

There hasn’t been one president who didn’t get frustrated with Israel at one moment or another.

— Gil TroyDescribing the recurring nature of US-Israel disputes.

However, Troy expressed concern over recent developments, highlighting criticism from both the Republican right, including figures like J.D. Vance and Tucker Carlson, and anti-Israel sentiment from Democratic candidates and officials. He specifically warned about the emergence of "hard anti-Zionists" within both parties, distinguishing this from "soft anti-Zionism" and what he termed "hard antisemitism." Social media, he suggested, has amplified these voices in public discourse.

Discussing recent events concerning Iran, Troy pointed to significant cooperation between the US and Israel. He cautioned against definitive pronouncements on the diplomatic situation with Tehran, stating that events are still unfolding. "Anyone who tells me assuredly A, we won, or B, we lost, is in la-la land pushing an agenda," he said.

What’s terrifying about this moment is that we never had, in both the Republican Party and the Democratic Party, such hard anti-Zionists.

— Gil TroyHighlighting the rise of strong anti-Zionist sentiment in US politics.

Troy also offered a new perspective on how Israel can frame its value to Americans, describing it as a "DIY and ROI ally." This means Israel largely fights its own battles and provides a return on American investment that benefits the US economy. He further linked anti-Zionism to broader anti-American sentiment and characterized antisemitism as a dangerous "thought disease" and a warning sign for societies in crisis.

Anyone who tells me assuredly A, we won, or B, we lost, is in la-la land pushing an agenda.

— Gil TroyCautioning against definitive conclusions on the Iran situation.

The historian is currently working on two projects related to America's 250th anniversary: "The Essential Guide to the US-Israel Partnership" and an e-book titled "250 Reasons to Thank America."

DIY in that it, for the most part, fights its own wars, and ROI in that it provides a return on American investment, which goes back into American pockets.

— Gil TroyExplaining Israel's value to the US as a 'DIY and ROI ally'.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Jerusalem Post in English. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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