As a Zionist and a convert to Orthodox Judaism, I care passionately about Israel, but I don’t know why non-Jewish Americans should be passionate, either pro or con, about Israel.<\/p>\n
Gemini says: From a strictly “realist” international relations perspective\u2014where nations only care about geography, resources, and security\u2014Israel should theoretically rank alongside other major non-NATO allies like South Korea (a critical buffer against China\/North Korea) or Saudi Arabia (essential for global energy stability).<\/p>\n
However, Israel occupies a category of its own in American politics because its importance is not just geopolitical; it is also theological and domestic.<\/p>\n
While the US relationship with South Korea or Saudi Arabia is largely “transactional” (based on trade or security), the relationship with Israel is “civilizational.” Here is why that distinction exists and why it distorts standard political gravity.<\/p>\n
1. The Domestic “Third Rail” (It\u2019s Not Just Policy, It\u2019s Votes)<\/strong><\/p>\n Foreign policy usually doesn’t decide American elections. Israel is the exception. The support comes from two distinct, powerful domestic groups that do not exist for South Korea or Saudi Arabia.<\/p>\n The Organized Lobby (AIPAC, etc.): Pro-Israel lobbying is exceptionally organized, well-funded, and deeply integrated into both parties. Unlike the “Saudi lobby” (which is mostly hired PR firms acting for a foreign government), the pro-Israel lobby is composed of American citizens passionate about the issue.<\/p>\n The Christian Zionist Factor: This is often the most underestimated factor. There are tens of millions of Evangelical Christians in the US who believe the modern State of Israel is a fulfillment of biblical prophecy.<\/p>\n For South Korea: An American voter supports South Korea because they like democracy or fear Kim Jong Un. It is a rational calculation.<\/p>\n For Israel: For a Christian Zionist voter, supporting Israel is a religious duty mandated by God (“I will bless those who bless you”). This makes the support absolute and non-negotiable, regardless of the geopolitical cost. No politician can ignore a voting bloc of this size.<\/p>\n 2. The “Unsinkable Aircraft Carrier” (Strategic Integration)<\/strong><\/p>\n While the US has troops in South Korea and bases in the Gulf, the military integration with Israel is qualitatively different. Israel is often viewed not just as an ally, but as a military laboratory.<\/p>\n Battle-Testing: The US funds Israeli defense (like the Iron Dome), but in return, it gets data. Israel fights wars frequently, testing US technology in real-time combat against Soviet\/Russian\/Iranian weapons. The F-35, for example, sees combat in Israeli hands first, providing critical data to the US Air Force.<\/p>\n Intelligence: The US relies heavily on Israeli intelligence (Mossad\/Unit 8200) for human assets in the Middle East, arguably more than it relies on South Korean intelligence for North Korea.<\/p>\n 3. The “Shared Values” Narrative<\/strong><\/p>\n The US has a difficult time “selling” the Saudi alliance to the American public because Saudi Arabia is an absolute monarchy with values divergent from the West.<\/p>\n Israel creates a mirror image for Americans: It frames itself as a frontier democracy surrounded by hostile authoritarianism\u2014a narrative that resonates deeply with America’s own self-image.<\/p>\n South Korea shares these values today, but during the formative years of the alliance (1950s-80s), South Korea was largely authoritarian. The US-Israel bond solidified when Israel was the only democracy in its region, creating a “lonely outpost of civilization” narrative that stuck.<\/p>\n If you look at it purely as a cost-benefit analysis of foreign policy, many realists (like John Mearsheimer or Stephen Walt) agree with you: they argue the unwavering support for Israel inflames anti-American sentiment in the Arab world and costs the US blood and treasure.<\/p>\n However, politics is rarely purely rational. The political cost for a US Congressman to oppose South Korea is zero. The political cost to oppose Israel is potentially career-ending due to the combination of donor pressure (AIPAC) and grassroots voter pressure (Christian Evangelicals).<\/p>\n The Bottom Line: Israel is important because a significant portion of the American electorate feels it is part of America’s spiritual and moral identity, whereas South Korea and Saudi Arabia are viewed strictly as foreign countries we do business with.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" As a Zionist and a convert to Orthodox Judaism, I care passionately about Israel, but I don’t know why non-Jewish Americans should be passionate, either pro or con, about Israel. Gemini says: From a strictly “realist” international relations perspective\u2014where nations … Continue reading