ISRAELI-US RELATIONS

• Why is hard to talk about Israel?• Shared or diverging interests? The essence

of the American commitment to Israel• Debates over the Israeli lobby (AIPAC) and

the Sec. Council

Why Israel has needed America?

• 1948: Truman’s change of position , the recognition of an Israeli homeland state (religion and balancing Soviet/Arab alliances), and war

• The 1956 Suez Crisis: Britain, France and Israel in alliance against Nasser’s Egypt (who were supported by the US and the USSR)

• 1967—The 6-Day War: The origins of the Palestinian crisis (occupation of the Sinai, Westbank, and Gaza) and unwavering US support

• 1969: Did Israel steal nuclear materials from the US? The recurring problems with Israeli espionage (1986, David Pollard)

• The October War (1973): Kissinger’s “shuttle diplomacy” • 1979: Carter-brokered Camp David Peace Agreement• 1978-1985: Israeli occupation of Lebanon; Reagan’s pro-Israeli stance &

the 1982 attack on US peacekeepers

US-Israeli Relations in the Context of the Palestinian Uprisings

• 1988: The 1st Palestinian uprising (A country of 3 million fails to keep one of 2 million subjugated)

• Bush I: Back to being an even-handed broker? Peace talks • Clinton’s 1992 Oslo Peace Accords: Yassir Arafat’s Palestinian Authority &

the murder of Rabin• 1995 Jordon-Israeli accord• 2000: Arafat’s big mistake and the new uprising• The roadmap for peace

– A viable Palestinian state– Security but a wall?– Jerusalem – Settlements– Right of return– Use of American military supplies

• Civil war b/w Fatah and Hamas• Israel back to Likud control, yet 50% of US foreign aid goes to Israel