An Ally That Says, “I’m Concerned About You” or A Fighter Who Says, “Let’s Go, I Got Your Back”

When your about to get into a fight, a dangerous situation that cannot be avoided, what do you want to hear?  Do you want to hear from a long-time friend who says that their prays and wishes are with you, or do you want to hear from a guy you know, a real fighter who says “let’s go brother, I got your back”?

In April 1980 Iran was still holding 66 Americans who were taken hostage at the United States Embassy in Theran. In an attempt to rescue the hostages from their captors, the United States implemented Operation Eagle Claw, sending U.S Army Delta Force to free the hostages. Unfortunately, rather than rescue the hostages, the operation ended in failure in the disastrous helicopter collision at a rendezvous location named Desert One.

At that time I was visiting Israel and I was on a bus near Jerusalem when the news of the aborted rescue operation and the disaster at Desert One starting being reported over the radio. When the reports started coming in the bus driver pulled the bus over and every Israeli was glued to the radio. They were all visibly upset hearing that their American allies had experienced a failure in their attempt end the hostage crisis. I have a vivid remember that when news of the helicopter crash was reported two Israeli men in their early 40’s shook their heads, and one said to the other, “we do raids like that all the time, we would have been happy to help, all they had to do was ask”. His friend responded, “of course, they know we have their back”.

Today, April 3, 2026 an American F-15 jet fighter was shot down over Iran, and its two (2) pilots ejected behind enemy lines. Immediately and without the slightest hesitation, every Israeli jet over Iran ceased their bombing runs, and along with Israeli search and rescue forces, headed to where the U.S. jet had gone down to locate and protect the American pilots. They knew the U.S. had its initiated its own search and rescue operations, but that didn’t matter. American soldiers were in trouble and Israel had their backs.

France and the United Kingdom are among the United States oldest European NATO allies. Spain and the U.S. entered into a formal alliance in 1953 allowing the United States to establish military bases on Spanish territory. Spain later joined NATO in 1982. With the exception of the UK’s joining the United States during the 2003 invasion of Iraq, the participation of France, Spain and the UK in American operations consisted of contributions of staff officers in NATO HQs, training missions, and participation in NATO exercises and logistics.

In early March of 2026, soon after Operation Epic Fury against Iran had begun, the UK refused to allow U.S. aircraft use its bases, including the US airbase at the UK administered atoll of Diego Garcia, for “offensive operations” against Iran. Spain refused to allow any U.S. aircraft involved in Epic Fury to use, or even fly over its territory.  To top it off, France refused its US ally twice. First, on March 19, 2003, France announced it would not allow U.S. military aircraft to use its airspace for operations in Iraq. Then on March 14, 2026, France announced it would not allow U.S. military aircraft to use its airspace for Operation Epic Fury.

When the United States decided that it could no longer tolerate an Iran run by a radical apocalyptic Shite theocracy that was producing hundreds of ballistic missiles a month while rushing to obtain a nuclear weapon, it got two responses from its allies.  The United Kingdom, France and Spain said “good luck, but don’t call us, we’ll call you”.  On the hand Israel said, “were with you brother, let’s go kick some butt”.  It’s amazing that some American’s still question Israel’s value as an ally.

© The Times of Israel (Blogs)