Every few years, Americans question the rationale behind sending billions of dollars in aid to Israel, especially amid a national debt nearing $40 trillion and an annual defense budget of about $1 trillion. However, former U.S. Ambassador Gordon Sondland argues that this debate often overlooks what America gains in return.
Sondland emphasizes that his support for Israel is not based on religion or ethnicity but on a straightforward question: Does the alliance strengthen America? Drawing from his diplomatic and business experience, he asserts the answer is unequivocally yes.
He points out that Israel provides unmatched returns in intelligence and missile defense through the $3.8 billion in annual security assistance it receives from the United States. During the Cold War, Israel was a reliable democratic partner in a region influenced by the Soviet Union. After the Cold War, intelligence cooperation expanded significantly as terrorism became the primary security concern for America.
Israel often encounters emerging threats years before they reach U.S. forces, allowing the United States to adapt its technologies and tactics proactively, avoiding the higher costs of learning on future battlefields.
This perspective underscores the strategic value of the U.S.-Israel partnership beyond financial aid.
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