Vice President JD Vance recently expressed frustration with Israel, accusing Israeli cabinet ministers of “personally attacking” President Donald Trump over his administration’s memorandum of understanding with Iran. Around the same time, President Trump declared that without America, there would be no Israel.

Both statements deserve scrutiny. More importantly, both overlook a larger historical truth.

The relationship between the United States and Israel cannot be understood through the language of patron and client, creator and dependent. While America has contributed enormously to Israel’s security and prosperity, the foundations of the U.S.-Israel relationship run much deeper than military aid, diplomatic support, or political alliances.

America did not create Israel. And Israel is not America’s dependent.

The modern State of Israel was established in 1948, before the United States became its principal strategic ally. In its earliest decades, Israel relied heavily on its own citizens, diaspora support, and, at various points, military assistance from countries other than the United States. The wars that determined Israel’s survival were fought by Israelis themselves.

In 1948, Israel faced invasion by multiple Arab armies immediately after declaring independence. In 1967, it confronted an existential threat that culminated in the Six-Day War. In 1973, Israeli........

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