"America, don't worry, Israel is behind you," declared a cheeky and popular T-shirt once seen on Jerusalem's streets.
Much water has flowed in the Atlantic Ocean since then. The October 7 massacre, along with other less tragic events, somewhat shook Israeli self-confidence. After all, there's no doubt we quite need America to stand against those seeking our destruction.
Nevertheless, on the occasion of America's 249th Independence Day, here are several things small Israel has contributed to our great friend across the sea. This isn't the complete list, but given the war in Israel, here are the aspects where it has helped America.
Major damage to Iran's nuclear program
"Death to Israel, death to America" is one of the favorite slogans of the ayatollah's regime. As a symbol of this, people in Tehran's streets customarily trample on US and Israeli flags, and these aren't just words or symbols. All American administrations in the past generation viewed Iran's nuclear program as a threat to the US.
There were differing opinions on how to address the threat, but there was no dispute that it required action. Well, Israel did the job. In 12 brilliant days of Operation Rising Lion, the State of Israel removed a threat that Democratic presidential candidate Kamala Harris defined as extremely serious to US national security. In the end, Donald Trump also came and took a victory lap with the B-2.
Major damage to Iran's missile program
In the long term, the Iranians definitely planned and began building a ballistic missile arsenal that would cross the ocean and reach America. Well, thanks to brilliant Israeli action, very little remains of this array.
Collapse of the Iranian axis
Hezbollah, Bashar Assad's regime, Iranian militias, and Hamas weren't enemies only of Israel but also of America. Some of these organizations even deliberately killed American citizens and soldiers. As you'll recall, even Joe Biden, who was tough on Israel during the war, boasted about the axis's collapse after Assad fled. In other words, regardless of political divisions within the US, there's additional strengthening of American national security here as a result of Israel's military effort.
American weapons superiority
The Jewish brain indeed invents patents for us, but almost all of them are implemented on weapons platforms that Israel purchased from the US. In its stunning success against Iran and Hezbollah, Israel proved the enormous effectiveness of weapons systems made in America. This can't be said so definitively about the defense products of China or Russia.
Strengthening American deterrence
Although too many people in the US and Israel deny this, most of the world still sees Jerusalem as Washington's long arm. In other words, when Israel wins, America wins, too. That's how it's perceived, especially by those who despise the US.
Strengthening America's position in the Middle East
Just two years ago, China was the one that mediated a reconciliation agreement between Saudi Arabia and Iran. Today, largely because of Donald Trump, but also as a result of Israeli aggressiveness in the region, everyone understands that only Washington shapes the Near East. China and Russia have been pushed aside.
Confirming America's global status
No other power has a country on the other side of the world essentially fighting its wars. True, Israel did this for its own reasons. Still, Russia or China don't have their own "Israel" in Latin America, for example. They also don't have a "Central Command" or "European Command," only America does. So Israel plays a crucial role in this global array and in strengthening America's status as a "world policeman."
"Golden Dome"
Inspired by Iron Dome and the comprehensive defense system Israel developed against missiles, the US began planning a similar system of its own. Israel's technological breakthroughs in Arrow, laser systems, and Iron Dome already serve the US and its allies, and will do so even more in the future. Donald Trump refers to this plan as the "Golden Dome."
Technology
Israeli high-tech is the world's second most important technological development center after Silicon Valley. 2,500 American companies are invested in the Israeli economy, and not because anyone forced them to do so. Simultaneously, dozens of Israeli companies are listed on NASDAQ and constitute approximately 20% of the foreign companies on this exchange. This connection persists throughout the war, benefiting all parties.
Values of freedom and democracy
In its difficult war, Israel reminded those parts of the West willing to listen to what the struggle between free nations and those that aren't is about. This is a confrontation between light and darkness, between truth and falsehood, between good and evil, between freedom and oppression, and between the eternal values of the Bible and communist and terrorist dissolution. Although many in the West have already fallen prey, at least the current administration running America understands very well what lies on the scales.
With the beginning of the 250th anniversary celebrations, we certainly wish the United States of America congratulations and hope that, together with Israel, it will continue to lead the world in the right direction.
