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Is the U.S.-Israel Alliance at Risk?

Issue: May 13, 2025

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Navigating a Turbulent Region: Why the U.S.-Israel Alliance Matters

Hamas hostage Edan Alexander, an American-Israeli – held in Gaza for 584 days, was just released to Israel and welcomed by his family in a deal brokered between the Trump Administration and Hamas – without Israel’s known participation. Alexander was the only living dual American-Israeli citizen still in Gaza – where dozens of other hostages remain, about 20 presumed alive.

President Trump’s trip for meetings in the Middle East, without a stop in Israel, took many by surprise. The Saudis lavishly greeted the president upon his arrival, amid reports that a normalization agreement between Saudi Arabia and Israel has been separated from a nuclear energy cooperation deal between the Saudis and Americans. Trump’s meeting with the Saudi ruler has been reported to include leaders of the Palestinian Authority, Syria and Lebanon.

These discussions and others raise significant questions among Israelis and their supporters about policy changes in the U.S.-Israel relationship. The president also accepted the gift of a Qatari luxury jumbo jet to temporarily serve as Air Force One, a move criticized by Sen. Rick Scott: “I’m not flying on a Qatari plane. They support Hamas.”

Amid the region’s constant storm of uncertainty, the enduring alliance between America and Israel is a critical anchor – a partnership forged over decades of shared values and strategic interests. This firm bond has withstood political leadership changes and evolving regional realities, providing an important foundation for navigating new challenges.

Historic Partnership: ‘Shared kinship, traditions and values’

The U.S.-Israel relationship is rooted in shared democratic ideals, deep cultural connections and a mutual commitment to security. America and Israel hold joint military training exercises involving thousands of troops, numerous state and local trade delegations visit Israel to increase exports and U.S. tech giants – including Intel, Google and Microsoft – benefit from significant investments in Israeli research and development.

The alliance has traditionally transcended political cycles and been recognized as strategically vital by Democrats and Republicans. U.S. Rep. Ritchie Torres: “The U.S.-Israel relationship is an unbreakable bond whose durability will stand the test of time.” Former Sec. of State Condoleezza Rice: “Israel is a country with whom we have so many ties of kinship, of tradition and of values.”

Gaza: Hope Amid Hostage Crisis

The release of American-Israeli hostage Alexander brought a glimmer of hope in the struggle for the return of the remaining hostages. Iran-backed Hamas presented his release as a goodwill gesture towards President Trump without conditions for America and Israel. Hamas refuses to relinquish its control – even though an increasing number of vocal Gazans want it removed from power – and Israel vows to continue its security operations until all hostages are released and Hamas disarmed. Dozens of friends and supporters of the Alexander family rallied in Tenafly, NJ, to celebrate his release. Trump has called for the release of all the hostages, an end to the war and increased humanitarian aid deliveries.

The Houthis: Limited Truce, Persistent Threats

A recently brokered ceasefire between the U.S. and Iran-backed Houthi rebels in Yemen focused on halting attacks on American ships traveling in the Red Sea. Israel was left out of the agreement, which was reached only a day after the Houthis struck Ben Gurion International Airport with a ballistic missile. America recently pounded Houthi targets in airstrikes aimed at degrading their ability to attack this key international shipping route. The terror group has explicitly stated that its hostility towards Israel remains unchanged and it is still attacking Israel. A bipartisan group of U.S. representatives “expressed serious concern that the agreement leaves Israel dangerously vulnerable and fails to confront the broader threat posed by Iran’s proxy network.”

Syria: Trump May Provide a ‘Fresh start’

The recent toppling of Iran-backed Syrian dictator Bashar al-Assad and the rise of a new government have prompted a reassessment of U.S. policies. President Trump stated he is considering lifting sanctions on Syria to support the new leadership and provide the country with a “fresh start” – remarks welcomed by Syria’s new leaders. The government is led by an Islamist paramilitary group that was formerly affiliated with al-Qaeda – the perpetrators of the 9/11 attacks. The U.S. Treasury Dept. already eased some sanctions to facilitate essential services. However, comprehensive sanctions against Syria remain in effect because of human rights abuses and its support for terrorism.

Amid the shifting political landscape, Israel has been supporting the Syrian Druze community. The Syrian government is persecuting and attacking this small religious minority – more than 120 civilians were killed in one recent attack. A Druze woman: “We fled from our home because I feared for my baby. We are receiving humanitarian aid from Israel. It’s heartwarming to see such compassion and unity.” About 150,000 Druze live in Israel – many have become decorated military heroes and served in Israel’s parliament. The Israeli Defense Forces recently flew in supplies and set up a medical facility in southern Syria to treat victims.

Iran: Persistent Regional Threat and Nuclear Ambitions

Iran’s nuclear weapons program is a dangerous threat for a regime that routinely calls for the annihilation of Big Satan and Little Satan – America and Israel. Iran’s religious leaders provide funding, weapons and training for its proxy groups, including the Houthis, Hamas and Hezbollah. Iran constantly evades international inspections of its nuclear program. President Trump restored “maximum pressure” on Iran’s regime earlier this year to “deny Iran all paths to a nuclear weapon and counter its malign influence abroad.”

Now, Trump is indirectly negotiating with Iran – Oman is mediating – and stated that he is willing to meet with Iran’s supreme leader. While reports are swirling over whether or not Iran would have to dismantle parts of its nuclear program, Congressional Republicans are calling for “the complete dismantlement and destruction of Iran’s entire nuclear program.” Israelis – and American Jews who fled Iran because of the Islamic Revolution – are worried about the negotiations legitimizing the regime and allowing Iran to retain its nuclear program.

U.S.-Israel Alliance: ‘STRONG partnership’

Where all of this leads is unclear. Both the Trump and Netanyahu administrations stated that while there may be policy disagreements, there is no rift. Working to ease some of the concerns, U.S. Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee – a longtime supporter of Israel – continues to emphasize the enduring nature of the shared bond between America and Israel: “I say to people, ‘Relax, calm down, Donald Trump loves you, there’s no doubt about that, he’s got your back.’ Israel doesn’t have a better friend. The partnership is STRONG.”

  1. American bipartisan support of Israel remains strong: The alliance between the U.S. and Israel is resilient – transcending political shifts and partisan divides – regardless of which leaders are elected in Washington and Jerusalem. Bipartisan cooperation has enabled both countries to navigate global challenges by sharing vitally important information with each other – from counterterrorism efforts to advancing scientific research, security and technology. A united front enables both nations to face international challenges effectively, reaffirming that the U.S.-Israel relationship is not bound by political cycles. Shared democratic values, goals and strategic interests are essential to both the long-term security and prosperity of both nations.
  2. Strong U.S.-Israel partnership provides mutual benefits: There is a misconception that Israel is the sole beneficiary of this alliance. Israeli innovation yields significant advantages for Americans and helps boost the American economy. Israel’s advanced water management technologies are increasingly valuable to drought-affected regions, like California and Arizona. Israeli defense technology contributes to the protection of American troops and the two nations collaborate closely on cybersecurity, safeguarding critical infrastructure in both countries. Additional partnerships in research, healthcare and technology clearly demonstrate the reciprocal nature of this relationship.
  3. Key alliance promotes regional peace: The Abraham Accords – facilitated by the U.S. – reflect its longstanding commitment to Middle Eastern peace, building on earlier successes such as the Israel-Egypt and Israel-Jordan peace treaties. The normalization agreements with Bahrain, the United Arab Emirates, Morocco and Sudan have fostered new economic partnerships – trade, tourism and technological innovation – and led to interfaith dialogue and cultural exchange that are advancing shared regional prosperity. Peaceful ties and regional collaboration on security and counterterrorism create a safer environment for American interests. The Accords prove that the U.S.-Israel partnership promotes regional peace.

Strengthening the U.S.-Israel Alliance

The continued bipartisan support of the U.S.-Israel alliance relies on active support:

  • Educate your community: Support the strategic importance of the U.S.-Israel alliance in your conversations with family and friends, emphasizing the mutual benefits.
  • Engage in dialogue: Foster respectful conversations with those who hold differing views on the U.S.-Israel alliance to promote understanding and build bridges.
  • Combat hatred of Jews: Challenge the hatred of Jews – antisemitism – that masquerades as ‘only’ opposition to Israel. Recognize the link between this hatred and anti-Zionism in your community and online.
  • Support Congressional legislation: Contact your elected officials at the national, state and local levels to advocate for legislation that strengthens the U.S.-Israel relationship and counters efforts to undermine it.
  • Visit Israel: Participate in a solidarity mission to experience the country firsthand and demonstrate your support.

May is Jewish American Heritage Month which celebrates Jewish contributions to America. May is also National Inventors Month.

This week’s JAHM focus is Science & Technology.

From astronauts to inventors and from chemists to cybersecurity experts, the impacts Jewish Americans have made on modern science and technology are revolutionary. The ability to change the TV channel with a remote control, push a shopping cart in a grocery store, pop an Aspirin for a headache and wear denim jeans all exist because of Jewish inventors. Inventions by Jewish scientists and innovators have changed the way our modern world functions by creating conveniences and time-saving breakthroughs that, at one time, we could only dream of – including the polio vaccine, the cardiac defibrillator and the USB flash drive.

A few of many Jewish American inventors, scientists and tech pioneers:

  • Judith Resnik (1949-1986) – First Jewish American and second American woman to become an astronaut. She first made it into space in 1984 aboard the Space Shuttle Discovery. She was killed aboard the Space Shuttle Challenger in 1986 when it exploded after launch.
  • Jonas Salk (1914-1995) – A virologist, professor and medical researcher who created the first ever polio vaccine, which he refused to have patented, so it remained widely available in the best interest of public health
  • Anne Neuberger (1976- ) – Cybersecurity pioneer and Hasidic Jew from Borough Park, Brooklyn, whose prestigious career includes working for the White House, the Department of Defense and the National Security Agency.
  • Carl Sagan (1934-1996) – Astrophysicist and cosmologist, Carl Sagan was instrumental in popularizing science and astronomy through his research, books and television series.
  • Hedy Lamarr (1914-2000) – Actress and inventor responsible for developing a technology that helped allied navies guide torpedoes during WW2. Today’s wireless communication technologies like Wi-Fi and Bluetooth were made possible by her invention.

Want to learn more?

  1. Check out the Jewish Women’s Archive (JWA), a JAHM partner, offering a host of engaging resources that spotlight the achievements of American Jewish women and help bring their stories to life.
  2. Access the American Jewish Committee’s JAHM resources
  3. If you’re in the area, visit the Albert Einstein Planetarium at the National Air and Space Museum in Washington, D.C.
  4. Attend the annual JAHM Congressional Breakfast, hosted by the Combat Antisemitism Movement (CAM) and the Jewish Federations of North America (JFNA), in partnership with the Weitzman National Museum of American Jewish History. Taking place on Wednesday, May 21, 2025, from 8:30 AM to 10:00 AM in the U.S. Capitol (Room HC-5).

How do you JAHM? Whether it’s reading a book by your favorite Jewish American author, watching a classing Mel Brooks comedy, or cooking Molly Yeh’s latest recipe, we want to know how you JAHM! When you post, use the hashtags #MyJAHM and #OurSharedHeritage to connect to the national celebration.

Click here to access the JAHM toolkit full of resources, posters, social media graphics and more!

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This content is developed by The Focus Project in partnership with MERCAZ USA. The Focus Project distributes weekly news and talking points on timely issues concerning Israel and the Jewish people, including antisemitism, anti-Zionism and the delegitimization of Israel. It represents a consensus view across a spectrum of major American Jewish organizations. MERCAZ USA recognizes and respects the diversity of views on these issues among its readers and the community at large.

The Focus Project develops and distributes news, background, history and weekly talking points on timely issues to inform individuals and organizations about issues affecting the American Jewish community and Israel, and help readers speak with more consistency and clarity. The editions also provide potential responses for addressing incidents of antisemitism and anti-Zionism. With input from a spectrum of major American Jewish organizations, we focus on that which unites us, rising above political and individual agendas.
Recognizing that hatred of Jews comes in many forms and directions, we strive to address all sources as they arise, and educate our growing audience on topics ranging from inter-religious relations to relevant international developments. From week to week, we may focus on issues arising from the political left, university campuses, from the political right and from institutions, government, and corporations. We don’t try to address all issues in each edition. We hope you will find this information useful in your writing and/or speaking. We are always open to your feedback: info@focus-project.org.

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