I have dedicated my professional life to strengthening the US-Israel relationship and am very aware of how critical it is to the national security of my country. For decades, this relationship has been a cornerstone of American policy in the Middle East. Shared strategic interests and a deep sense of partnership rooted in common values have built this relationship. At its best, this alliance has delivered extraordinary benefits: intelligence sharing that has saved lives, joint military operations that strengthened regional deterrence, and technological collaboration that has enhanced both countries’ security.

For those who care deeply about Israel’s future and the strength of its relationship with the US, the history of fruitful cooperation between the two countries is a source of pride. But it is precisely because the alliance is vital that this moment demands honesty and reassessment.

The question today is not whether the United States should support Israel. It must and it should. Israel faces real and persistent threats from state actors and terrorist groups across the region, and American support remains vital to its security. The question is how to provide that support in a way that is durable, values-aligned, and politically sustainable in the United States over the long term.

Recently, American public perception of this relationship has dramatically worsened. Many Americans feel unsettled by the devastation caused by the war in Gaza, the rise of extremist settler violence in the West Bank, and Israel’s continued overreliance on military solutions without corresponding diplomatic progress. The perception that Israel has drawn the United States into broader regional conflict, including with Iran, has only intensified these concerns.

As a result, Israel’s image in the United States is undergoing a profound shift. What was once broadly considered a strategic and moral asset is, for a growing number of Americans, becoming a source of discomfort and even a liability. This shift transcends political boundaries. On the right, a more transactional view of alliances is emerging. On the left, including among a large majority of American Jews, there is increasing unease with Israeli policies that appear inconsistent with democratic values and human rights. Notably, strong majorities of American Jews feel both deeply connected to Israel and oppose unconditional military assistance – a reflection of the tension at the heart of this moment.

At the same time, Israel itself has changed. It has achieved extraordinary economic growth, technological advancement, and military prowess. With a per capita GDP comparable to leading global economies and a defense budget of tens of billions of dollars, Israel is no longer a fragile state dependent on external support in the way it once was. In fact, Israel is fully capable of taking on greater responsibility for funding its own defense – an argument that has been made by Israeli leaders themselves.

These realities point toward a necessary evolution in the US-Israel relationship. To preserve and strengthen the alliance, it must be updated to reflect both countries’ current realities and the expectations of the American public.

That means recalibrating the three core components of the security relationship – financial assistance, arms sales, and operational cooperation – in a way that reinforces mutual responsibility and shared values. Direct US taxpayer money to subsidize Israel’s military procurement should be responsibly phased out, bringing the relationship in line with those the United States maintains with other advanced allies and reducing perceptions of exceptionalism that make support for Israel more politically vulnerable. At the same time, US law governing security assistance must be applied consistently, as it is with all partners, ensuring that military support for Israel reflects the legal and moral standards Americans expect.

None of these proposals is about weakening the alliance. On the contrary, it is about preserving it.

Where US and Israeli interests align, cooperation should not only continue – it should be improved – intelligence sharing, joint military planning, and technological cooperation remain critical to both countries’ interests. One area in particular where cooperation is key is around defensive systems that save lives. Israel and the US must continue to develop missile defense platforms like Iron Dome, David’s Sling, and Arrow, which have protected countless civilians. 

The main point is simple but important: strong alliances change over time. Treating Israel as a close normal ally, one that is strongly supported but not exempt from the standards applied to others, will make the relationship more resilient, less politically divisive, and better aligned with the values that have sustained it for decades.

Ultimately, this approach reflects both realism and a commitment to shared values. It acknowledges the emotional bond that so many Americans, and especially American Jews, have with Israel, while recognizing that unconditional support is no longer politically or strategically sustainable.

By updating how the United States supports Israel, we can ensure that this vital relationship not only endures but also thrives – helping to secure a future in which Israelis, Palestinians, and their neighbors can live in safety, dignity, and peace. 

© The Times of Israel (Blogs)