Israel and the United States
What kind of alliance?
The United States and Israel
As I was preparing to write about the United State’s and Israel’s military relationship, the 227th General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church (USA) issued the following statement that was approved at its national meeting.
Call the government of Israel’s war in Gaza perpetuated with US support against the Palestinian people a genocide and condemn the government of Israel ‘s violation of the UN convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide in the war against Gaza that began in 2023.
Encourage Presbyterian members, ruling elders. and ministers of word and sacrament, and the Office of Public Witness to contact members of Congress and the president to urge them to block military sales to and purchases from Israel until Israel complies with all US and international laws prohibiting sales of military equipment to countries in violation of international human rights laws including the prohibition of genocide.
Whatever faith one professes, or moral values one embraces, one can respect this mainline denomination for its ethical stand. It supports Israel but cannot condone the violence of genocide. And it recognizes the complicity of the United States in the military actions of Israel because they are using weapons bought with US dollars.
Now there is a s proposed section of a military spending bill before Congress that would merge the military/industrial complex of the United States and Israel. The proposed section would be incorporated in the National Defense Authorization Act of 2027 as section 224 in the House of Representatives. (Once known as the United States-Israel Futures Act). That merger would ensure, expand, and accelerate bilateral defense- technology research, development, testing, integration, and industrial collaboration between these nations. And the use of these technologies.
With genocide still going on, with malnutrition, sickness, and trauma afflicting the remaining Gazan population and 70% of the land that once belonged to Gaza in Israeli hands, and Apartheid in relation to Palestinians not addressed, the proposal should be dismissed immediately and not quietly adopted. And as the Presbyterian church advocates, arm sales to Israel need to be halted until the taking of innocent lives, the holding of political prisoners, stops.
Seeking to exercise justice and pursue peace is pro-Israeli, pro-Palestinian, pro-American, and pro- life.