The recent war between Israel and Iran showcased the strong ties between the United States and the Jewish state.
During the 12-day conflict, the US carried out a bombing mission targeting key Iranian nuclear facilities. This followed Israeli efforts lasting over a week and a half to dismantle Iranian air defenses and strike some of the same sites. Israel’s air force is composed of US-made fighter jets, such as the F-35, F-15, and F-16. The conflict with Iran was symbolic of the broader and increasingly intimate relationship between Washington and Jerusalem.
The two countries have often maintained close relations throughout the history of modern Israel. However, the partnership has deepened in recent decades, to the point that Israel is often viewed as America’s closest ally. This is particularly evident during the Trump administration, when some US policymakers have expressed skepticism about traditional allies such as Canada, the UK, Australia, and South Korea.
For Israel, this relationship affirms its role as a key partner in sustaining American influence and strategic dominance in the Middle East. As Israel has grown stronger, it has also become more important to the United States.
Many view this bond as natural – rooted not only in Israel’s founding in 1948 but also in biblical and historical connections. Some see the alliance as grounded in shared values and faith, while others frame it in more pragmatic terms: Israel is a democracy with a strong economy, strategically located at the crossroads of key trade routes and alliances.
Understanding the US-Israel relationship
The roots of the US-Israel relationship are complex. In many ways, the early history of Zionism was more connected to Europe than to the United States. Millions of Jews fleeing persecution in the Russian Empire found refuge in the US, which offered them equality and opportunity. For many, the American Dream made the idea of Zionism less urgent. America served as a beacon of freedom for Jews – a role that, over time, complemented the vision of Israel as a national homeland.
THE DEVELOPMENT of the US-Israel bond was gradual. While early Zionist efforts relied heavily on British colonial-era support – such as the Balfour Declaration during World War I – they also engaged with powers like Germany and the Ottoman Empire. As Jewish immigration to Palestine increased under the British Mandate, the need for American support became more apparent. After Israel’s founding in 1948, leaders like David Ben-Gurion recognized that American backing was essential for the young state’s survival. Some Israeli leaders had spent time in the US and understood its global power in the post-WW II era.
Despite internal opposition within the US State Department, president Harry S. Truman’s administration granted Israel recognition in 1948. Skepticism persisted, however, particularly during the Eisenhower administration. The 1956 Suez Crisis, in which Israel allied with France and Britain against Egypt, drew disapproval from Washington. The US feared driving Egypt toward the Soviet Union during the Cold War and preferred maintaining influence over key Arab states.
It wasn’t until the 1960s that US-Israel ties began to solidify. President John Kennedy’s administration started to shift US policy toward a firmer alliance. The sale of Hawk air defense missiles to Israel in 1965, shortly before the Six Day War, marked a turning point. As the Soviets armed Egypt and Syria, the US became Israel’s primary defense partner.
In the 1970s, the relationship faced obstacles, as some US administrations hesitated to appear overly supportive of Israel. However, during the 1973 Yom Kippur War, the Nixon administration ensured that Israel received critical military support. By the 1980s, Israel had destroyed Iraq’s Osirak nuclear reactor and signed a peace treaty with Egypt, removing a major adversary from the equation.
THE FALL of the Shah in Iran and the rise of the Islamic Republic introduced a new, implacable foe. Although Iraq’s Saddam Hussein posed another threat, he was occupied fighting Iran during the 1980s. By 1990, Saddam had rebuilt his military and invaded Kuwait, leading to a US-led coalition ejecting him in 1991. The end of the Cold War opened new diplomatic opportunities, such as peace processes in Israel and democratic transitions in places like South Africa and Northern Ireland.
The 1990s were meant to be an era of hope. Under president Bill Clinton, the US deepened its ties with Israel. However, the Second Intifada and the 9/11 terrorist attacks shifted America’s focus. The global war on terror led to military interventions in Afghanistan and Iraq, along with a surge in extremist violence. While the US grew wary of allies like Saudi Arabia due to concerns about radicalism, there were growing questions about America’s long-term presence in the Middle East.
As the US considered reducing its regional footprint, Israel found itself increasingly isolated. Domestically, the Jewish state became a divisive issue in American politics. As right-wing governments gained power in Israel, many on the American Left – including progressive Jewish communities – felt less aligned with Israeli policies. Israel began to be seen as more aligned with the Republican Party, causing it to become a partisan issue.
On the other hand, Israel also gained significant support among Evangelicals in the US.
This meant the bedrock of support was shifting, but it was also growing in some ways.
President Barack Obama’s administration sought to reset US relations in the region, reaching out to Iran and expressing frustration with Israeli policies. Nonetheless, defense cooperation remained strong, with billions in annual US aid funding Israeli weapons systems such as Iron Dome, David’s Sling, and Arrow. Ties between Washington and Israeli defense industries grew closer, even as political tensions occasionally surfaced.
On the American Right, isolationist voices emerged, criticizing perceived Israeli influence on US foreign policy. Still, support for Israel remained a consensus issue in Congress. Meanwhile, American relations with traditional allies like Turkey and Saudi Arabia became more strained, further elevating Israel’s status within Washington’s strategic circles.
During President Donald Trump’s first term, the US moved its embassy to Jerusalem, recognized Israeli sovereignty over the Golan Heights, and brokered the Abraham Accords. These were seen as historic victories for the Jewish state. As Trump returned to office, expectations were high for a second term even more favorable to Israeli interests. However, by then, Jerusalem was engaged in a prolonged war in Gaza and facing other regional threats.
The Trump administration initially sought to scale back US involvement in the Middle East to focus on China and Russia. But ongoing tensions, such as Iranian nuclear developments and the hostage crisis, compelled the US to reengage. When Israel launched preemptive strikes on Iran in June 2025, America joined the conflict, seeing an opportunity to support a winning ally.
Trump also attempted to improve relations with Turkey and recognize Syria’s new government – moves that drew criticism in Israel. Turkish-Israeli relations remain tense, and Israeli strikes in Syria could create friction with Washington. As US policy shifts in the region, Israel may find itself needing to adjust to new realities.
What comes next?
Today, Israel is widely considered one of America’s closest allies. US ambassadors to Israel openly express strong support, and the relationship often feels inseparable. This closeness is evident even in moments of political controversy – such as when Trump publicly opposed the trial of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, raising concerns about foreign influence in domestic affairs.
While strong alliances are essential, too much closeness can lead to backlash. In Western countries, criticism of Israel is rising, particularly on the far Left. In the US, some argue that Israel dominates foreign policy discussions to the detriment of other traditional allies like the UK, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand.
The current US administration’s skepticism toward historic allies does not seem to extend to Israel, which continues to be treated as a cornerstone of American foreign policy. Whether this remains sustainable – and healthy – for both countries will be a defining question in the years ahead.