The Unsettling Alliance Between Washington and Jerusalem

The latest iteration of the US defence budget, a $1.15 trillion behemoth, has a provision that should give pause to anyone concerned about the escalating militarization of the Middle East: deeper ties between Washington and Tel Aviv. For years, the United States has been pouring aid into Israel at an unprecedented rate, with many arguing that this largesse is nothing short of a blank check for Netanyahu’s government.

A key aspect of this latest bill is its emphasis on joint military projects – missile defence systems, drone development, and AI-powered surveillance – that blur the lines between US and Israeli interests. Critics have long warned that such cooperation would only serve to entrench Israel’s status as a strategic ally of Washington, even as tensions between Israelis and Palestinians continue to simmer just below the surface.

This deepening alliance raises questions about the very nature of US foreign policy. For decades, Washington has been content to play the role of Israel’s enabler-in-chief, providing a veneer of legitimacy to its actions in exchange for strategic cooperation. Historically speaking, there are some disturbing precedents here. The parallels between the US’s near-entanglement in Syria’s civil war on behalf of Israel and this latest bill are striking – both involve an unprecedented level of strategic cooperation between two nations with competing interests in the region.

The implications of this bill are far-reaching and disturbing. By cementing ties between two nations at odds over everything from settlements to Jerusalem’s status, we’re essentially institutionalizing a state of perma-war in one of the world’s most volatile regions. This isn’t just about US-Israeli relations or military strategy – it’s a warning sign for anyone concerned about the future of peace in the Middle East.

As this bill makes its way through Congress, look for more intense lobbying from pro-Israel groups and politicians on both sides of the aisle. Expect heated debates about the merits of this partnership, with some arguing that it’s essential for US national security while others warn that it’s a recipe for disaster. The effects are already playing out on the ground – from the ongoing Israeli siege of Gaza to the creeping expansion of settlements in the West Bank.

By continuing down this path, Washington is essentially sealing its own fate as an accomplice to Israel’s occupation. As we watch this bill unfold, one thing’s clear: we’re running out of time for a change of course.