Israel remains America's most reliable strategic partner in the Middle East, working to defeat common threats and supporting America’s regional and global policy objectives.
"A strong and secure Israel is in the national security interests of the United States."
President Barack Obama
"The people who point guns at Israel with murder in their eyes will next turn on us. Israel has turned out to be not just a friend who shares our values, but a critically important strategic ally who brings stability and balance to a volatile region."
Rep. Eric Cantor (R-VA)
"Our future here in this country is intertwined with the future of Israel and the Middle East."
Secretary of State Hillary Clinton
"Today, in the war against terror, we have no stronger ally than Israel. The more profound tie between our two countries, however, is a moral one. We are two democracies whose alliance is forged in our common values."
Sen. John McCain (R-AZ)
"My friends, Israel does not stand alone in this world. Her fight against those who would seek her destruction is America’s fight as well, as it should be the fight of all who love liberty and reject terrorism."
Rep. Steny Hoyer (D-MD)
"I want to tell you that the United States-Israel alliance is good for America. It's good for Israel, it's good for democracy, it's good for human rights, it's good for peace; it's good for the world. And may the relationship between these two great democracies continue to go from strength to strength."
Professor Alan Dershowitz
"One thing, however, that is unchanged, America’s commitment to the safety and security of the state of Israel is unwavering. America and Israel share an unbreakable bond in war, in peace, in prosperity and in hardship."
Rep. Nancy Pelosi (R-CA)
"I believe it is our obligation as friends and supporters and allies of Israel to support Israel’s efforts for peace, stability and security. Now this means doing more than providing Israel with economic aid so that it can remain strong in the face of ongoing threats."
Secretary of State Hillary Clinton
"But make no mistake, regardless of how the world responds to Hamas and Iran, the United States will stand with Israel. The United States and Israel will stand together with other responsible nations of the world to defend civilization against madness."
Sen. Susan Collins (R-ME)
"We say to our friends in Israel, you are not alone. America stands with you now and always in your struggle for peace."
Sen. Richard Durbin (D-IL)
"Israel is the mirror of our resolve to confront terrorism, prejudice, hatred and actions that are demonstrably inimical to peace and international security."
Rep. Steny Hoyer (D-MD)
These threats range from terrorism, the spread of radical Islamist ideology and nuclear and missile proliferation to narcotics, counterfeiting and cyberwarfare. Israel is a reliable democratic ally that shares America’s values and worldview in a region often dominated by radical forces, dictatorial regimes and extremist non-state actors.
With no other country in the region—and few in the entire world—does the United States share the same high level of strategic cooperation. American-Israeli cooperation begins with frequent high-level strategic dialogues among senior political and military leaders and extends to combined military planning and exercises, intelligence-sharing and technological development. The expanding network of American and Israeli military and intelligence coordination has provided a powerful deterrent to those in the Middle East who seek to harm either country. The historic alliance between the United States and Israel is the most stabilizing feature in an otherwise unstable region of the world.
Israel’s presence in the region provides a de facto cost-effective guarantor of security well beyond its borders. Furthermore, Israel’s military strength and central geo-strategic location provide a strong deterrent against Iran and other radical forces that threaten America, its allies and regional and global U.S. objectives.
President Obama has voiced a similar view on the importance of this relationship: “Many of the same forces that threaten Israel also threaten the United States and our efforts to secure peace and stability in the Middle East. Our alliance with Israel serves our national security interests.”