An Israeli think tank published a report this Sunday, urging the government to conclude a defense treaty with the United States as soon as possible.
In an analytical report this Sunday, Israel’s Institute for National Security Studies (INSS) urged Netanyahu’s government to immediately direct its efforts to conclude a defense treaty with the United States.
Elaborating on the advantages of signing a bilateral defense treaty between Washington and Tel Aviv, the report noted that Israel shouldn’t waste a second to make it happen.
What are the benefits of a defense treaty with the US for Israel?
As the report noted, concluding a defense treaty with the US;
- will open up new areas of cooperation and make Israel America’s closest ally.
- It will make future US administrations and congresses remain committed to supporting Israel’s security and the long-term survival of relations with Israel.
- It will strengthen Israel’s strategic position and overall deterrence. In fact, there was no American ally whose existence was threatened after concluding such a treaty with this country.
- Israel will need US support in a future strategic, multi-front surprise war, and this treaty guarantees US support to Israel in such a scenario, which will include nuclear support.
- It will strengthen the sense of security in the Israeli society and increase self-confidence to make critical decisions, especially regarding Iran’s nuclear program and the Palestinian issue.
What are the benefits of a defense treaty with Israel for the US?
The report also indicated that concluding such a defense treaty between Israel and the US would be a win-win bargain as it can also have several benefits for Washington. The main benefits of a defense treaty for Washington are as followed:
- Israel’s conventional capabilities have surpassed those of many US allies, and Israel is now considered an important regional strategic partner, therefore, inking a defense treaty with Israel will be a wise move by the US.
- It will reduce the risks of war in the region and thus greater stability, which in turn will reduce the need for direct US involvement in regional tensions.
- Israel is a vital component of the new regional security architecture led by the United States with the presence of the Saudis and others.
- It will be a significant strategic defeat for the US main enemies, namely China, Russia and Iran.
- It could facilitate a gradual reduction of US military aid to Israel in the future.
A defense treaty with the US, not so good for Tel Aviv as it sounds!
Despite the tone of the report which focuses only on the advantages of a defense treaty for Israel, there are of course several disadvantages of such a move. For example, Tel Aviv should fear that a defense treaty with the US can greatly affect freedom of action and decision making in Israel.
In this regard, some Israeli experts and officials have argued that relations between the two is already good and a defense treaty with the US means Israel would be contractually bound by a treaty’s constraints.
They also believe that a defense treaty with the US can lead to possible demand that Israel should disclose and dismantle its purported nuclear capabilities. They also fear the deal would erode Israel’s self-reliance and strategic autonomy.
Last but not least, facts on the ground suggest that the US might not be willing to make such a move because it has not extended one in decades.
