Israel’s alliance with the US has its limits

Opinion: The leaking of U.S. confidential files on Israel’s planned attack in Iran shouldn’t prevent cooperation between the countries, but Israel’s security and survival are more important than its American alliance 

If you wondered why Israel might decide not to coordinate its planned military actions against Iran with the U.S., read the two American intelligence documents, classified as top secret, that were recently leaked to a pro-Iranian Telegram channel.

The documents, which have been verified as authentic and reliable by sources in Washington, describe American efforts alongside the IDF’s preparations to respond to Iranian missile and drone attacks and raise various speculations about the possible targets that Israel might attack.

The leak of these documents, along with their classified and sensitive content, not only decreases the chances of success for the planned Israeli operation but also endangers the lives of those who will carry it out.

This incident, despite its obvious severity, should not negate the important security cooperation between Israel and the U.S. After all, the American administration has provided us with enormous diplomatic and financial support and has also helped us successfully intercept thousands of enemy missiles.

Moreover, U.S. President Joe Biden has paid a significant political price for supporting us. Despite the many disagreements and the breach of trust that has developed toward the U.S., it remains our greatest ally and is irreplaceable.

However, we cannot ignore the significant gaps that exist between this important ally and the State of Israel. Day by day, we witness key figures in the American leadership expressing their fears of a slippery and rapid descent into regional war in the Middle East.

The State of Israel cannot afford to project fear in the face of its enemies, nor to fail to carry out threats of retaliation.

We frequently hear that the U.S. is pressuring Israel to restrain its military actions in Gaza and Lebanon, urging it to achieve a complete cease-fire, and questioning its commitment and efforts to reduce civilian casualties.

President Biden has indeed committed to punishing Hamas severely for the murder of the six hostages alive in captivity, and he has committed to punishing Iran for firing 200 missiles toward Israel, but in the end, he has done nothing but increase the pressure on us.

One can understand the desperate reluctance of the American people to be involved in the conflict-ridden Mediterranean quagmire, considering the failed wars America fought in Iraq and Afghanistan. One can understand the White House’s resistance to entering deep into a war without a predetermined end date, while it prides itself on having brought an end to the “endless wars.”

This is especially understandable for a Democratic party that could lose all branches of government due to its policy towards a war taking place thousands of kilometers away that does not pose an immediate threat to the American continent.

One can undoubtedly understand all of this. However, this understanding does not obligate us to forget our supreme national interests, which we must preserve and uphold. The State of Israel cannot afford to project fear in the face of its enemies, nor to fail to carry out threats of retaliation.

This war will continue to accompany us for a long time. Unfortunately, not all our neighbors are particularly friendly, and we are not surrounded by two vast oceans that isolate us from existential threats.

We must not ignore American interests and the policies it adopts. However, alongside the necessary demonstration of respect towards these, we cannot afford to forget, not even for a moment, that we are in a complex and bloody regional war that we have no choice but to fight.

Military and security cooperation with the United States is important and invaluable, and the positions of the American administration must be taken into account. However, the security (and perhaps even the survival) of the State of Israel is of even greater importance.

Michael Oren is a former Israeli ambassador to the United States.

As reported by Ynetnews