Constructivism and the USA-Israel Relation

The Jewish State tries to convince other nations that Israel is only working towards good things. “...Israel and America...stand together because we are fired by the same ideals and inspired by the same dream, the dream of achieving security, prosperity, and peace...” (Source A). This excerpt from a speech given by Benjamin Netanyahu, the Prime Minister of Israel, shows him almost advertising the progress Israel is making to solve international issues. With this, he is also trying to show his reasoning for Israel’s lack in human rights. “...My Friends, We are gathered here today because we believe in those ideals. And because of those ideals, I am certain that Israel and America will always stand together.” (Source A). The U.S. is allies with Israel, which means the they are not allies with Arab states, such as Iran. In Netanyahu’s speech, he uses the U.S. support to challenge Iran and other Arab states about their lack of respect and recognition of Israel as an international figure. One of the tactics the Jewish state uses to convince international authorities of their “right to exist”. “...The future of the Jewish state can never depend on the goodwill of even the greatest of men. Israel must always reserve the right to defend itself…” (Source A). One of the parts, to Israel, of international recognition, it the promise to always reserve the right to protect

The Israel-Palestine conflict is one of the most long-term, pressing, and largely confounding social, political, and national quandaries of our age. Since we have been moving with surprising velocity into the vast horizons of globalization, the conflict has built up tremendous momentum and has called into question the adequacy of our current attempts at coming to a peaceful resolution that can simultaneously and successfully address both sides of the struggle. The purpose of this paper has been to understand the prospect of a two-state nation solution for Israel and Palestine. The discussion arises a retrospective view of the context behind the present analysis. We begin with a discourse that informs the reader of the historical narrative between the Jewish inhabitants of Israel and the Palestinians who also seek to live in the lands which comprise Israel. At the forefront of the discussion are some key issues such as trends in Israeli settlement expansion over time, the manner in which these settlements create political challenges towards the prospect of a two-state solution, and the fragmentation of power within Palestinian political parties which inhibit the opportunity for proper negotiations amongst the two parties. Finally, we delve into a discussion on nationalism, it’s importance in the discussion of a two-state solution, and the challenges posed when trying to formulate US Foreign Policy towards the matter.

Religious connection, Zionism, the holocaust and anti-Semitism were all reasons that Israel was created in 1948. Today Israel is hated by many Middle Easterns. They had to defend their country the first day they were established. They have a strong relationship with

The relationship between the State of Israel and the United States of America has blossomed into a significant bilateral alliance. The ‘special relationship’ between the two countries has been the driving force behind much of the progress of the United States’ push into middle east democracy, and has helped place Israel in the company of countries who will stand by her in times of trouble. As of late, there have been increasing pushes by the Untied States for Israel to once again enter into peace talks with the Palestinians, a topic which seems to be the source of constant international commentary. These developments have brought to the forefront a rather interesting facet of the Israeli/American relationship, one which this author

Before anyone can comprehend the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, one must understand the theory of Zionism. Theodor Herzl was the first Jew to have the idea of creating Israel. He was a witness of the Dreyfus affair, in which a Jewish officer was accused of treason, solely because he was Jewish. Herzl also witnessed mobs of people shouting “Death to the Jews”. This was the last straw for Herzl. Herzl decided that there needed to be a change so he made it one of his life goals to create a successful movement in which Jews founded a Jewish state. One of his main arguments was that discrimination against Jews could be eliminated if they had their own Jewish State, and so modern Zionism was formed. The idea of modern Zionism is so pertinent to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict because much of the reason for Israel becoming a Jewish state is behind the fact that Jews were perpetrated throughout the years before Zionism even came into play of the situation.

The impact of variety of lobbying groups on the US foreign policy has been an issue for debate for a long period. Since US foreign policy inevitably shapes the entire globe, numerous lobbying groups recognize its power and tend to shape their agendas in favorable manner. Despite variety of interest groups in US, particularly focused on Washington DC, Jewish lobby is deemed as the most successful. In the context of the foreign policy, the US presence in the Middle East and democracy-oriented reforms recently define the attempts and goals of the Israel lobby. Since the Middle East has been critical and strategically important, lobby’s task is to influence not only the US government but also the public perception on the invisibility of interests. In addition, Israel’s strategic position during the Cold War or alliance in the War on Terror may be justifiable reasons for further mutual cooperation between two countries. Due to the Israel’s isolation in the Middle East and constant perceived threats from Arab countries, US has been its greatest ally as well as diplomatic and material supporter. Moreover, direct causal relationship between US and Arab countries such as Iraq, Syria or Iran has developed mostly due to close ties with Israel as their direct enemy. Therefore, the US policy on terrorism issues, nuclear development or similar issues in the region is

The purpose of this paper is to provide an informative comparison between the constitution of the United States and that of Israel. Although Israel does not have an official constitution in place, there are sets of basic laws and rules that will be used to draw conclusions about how they address human rights, government power and structure, and how this may affect the allied relationship with the United states. There is a rather controversial debate regarding the importance of such an ally which brings into question the benefits of large sums of financial aid sent to Israel on a yearly basis. While the United States continues the quest for worldwide democracy, many argue that funding Israel is essential for maintaining a positive

In the past decade it has become more common in the media, college campuses, and among public intellectuals argue for the sake of “Anti-Zionism,” and state that Israel is an “illegitimate” state (Harrison, p. 9). Those who are looking to start a “New” anti-Semitism often have this opinion. Harrison states the rebuttals that have follows these claims. One of the rebuttals is that, “anti-Zionism, by its nature cannot be anti-Semitic, since it consists in opposition to Zionism, not in opposition to Jews or to Judaism per se” (Harrison, p. 9). This rebuttal goes against the opinion of other authors who state anti-Semitism and anti-Zionism interchangeable. Another rebuttal is that “if there has been a resurgence in anti-Semitism in the West, and in the Islamic world, it is entirely occasioned by justifiable indignation at the conduct and policies of Israel” (Harrison, p. 9). Harrison states that “anti-Zionists” wish to be regarded as “anti-racists,” as if Zionism is a form of racism. Harrison continues to state that Zionism is not a form of racism, but a form of nationalism. Harrison’s idea that Zionism is a form of nationalism coinsides with C.R. Power and Sharon Power’s

The religious rhetoric of the American President George W. Bush has raised many debates in the study of politics, it becomes clear to everybody that believing in the Bible prophecy could have profound political outcomes, and for George W. Bush, he believed heavily that God called him to office in order to spread democracy and protect America from the evil-doers. This idea started precisely since the events of 9/11 which changed the course of the American political regime from domestic to foreign interests. This section, then, introduces the words and messages of G. W. Bush towards Israel, and shows his huge support to the Jewish. Therefore, the American President admitted in his dialog with the Palestinian minister Nabil Shaath that he is conducted

A common misconception about the Israeli-Palestinian conflict is that it is deeply rooted in religion. However, it instead is a dispute over claims on the same land. Israelis believe that they are entitled to the land now known as Israel, while the Palestinians believe that they are entitled to this same land in which they call Palestine instead. Religion does, however, come into play as both sides believe that their God actually gave them this land, and giving it away would simply be unjust. After viewing both articles, The Israeli-Palestinian Conflict by Mark Tessler, and Palestine, Israel and the Arab-Israeli Conflict A primer by Joel Beinin and Lisa Hajjar, I believe that truly understanding the Israeli-Palestinian and its entirety means breaking it down in a historically

For the America, maintaining the “special relationship” with Israel is in line with its interests. First, due to the special geography, Israel can serve as an important backing for the U.S. to preserve its dominance in the Middle East. Second, a powerful Israel with strong military capacity can help the U.S. fight against Islamic extremists and terrorists. Third, supporting Israel is in accord with the broadest conception of the American national interest --- supporting like-minded societies, because US-Israel relationship is based on moral obligation, shared cultural and political values and common strategic interests. Therefore, Israel constitutes “the most enduring and the most immediate interest” (Pollock

There are many things in common between the USA and Israel. An example would be that the USA’s Life expectancy at birth is 79.8 years, while Israel's Life expectancy at birth is 82.4. I think that number is close enough for them to be similar. Another example would be the Infant mortality rate. The USA’s Infant mortality rate is 5.8/1000, while Israel’s Infant mortality rate is 3.5/1000. Also, another example would be the country's Literacy Rate. The USA’s literacy rate is 99%, while Israel’s is 97.8%. The countries also have some differences, like the countries GDP Per Capita. The USA’s is $57,000, but Israel’s is $35,200. Another example of difference would be the country's Population Between Poverty Line. The USA’s PBPL

Back in 1948 when Israel was founded, World War II was over, and the Cold War between the United States and the Soviet Union was just beginning. This paved the way for the United States to make a strategic move that has shaped the course of American policy to this day. In order to attempt to keep communism from spreading to the volatile region that is the Middle East, the United States created an unwritten alliance with the only country in the Middle East that was willing to do so: Israel. Fast forward to present day and the Cold War is no longer relevant to the purpose of “special relationship” between the US and Israel, but many new benefits have arisen that make the alliance worth maintaining. Critics of the alliance cite the idea that Israel receives more in aid than the United States get in return in benefits and that having Israel as an ally is more of a burden than it is worth. The three main categories in which the United States receives benefits from its alliance with Israel are political, economic, and military. Although critics of the United States’ alliance with Israel believe it is much too burdensome, the political, economic, and military benefits outweigh the negatives and make maintaining the alliance valuable in the future.

Religion is a vital part of daily life in every Middle Eastern country, informing the ways in which most ordinary citizens understand politics as well as their own place in the world. Today, the political left in Israel views the Israel state more as a protector of the Jewish community than as a strictly religious state. On the right, Zionism is broadly viewed as an effort to realize God’s intention that the Jewish people establish a Kingdom of God in that specific land. Today, Judaism

For many centuries, Judaic and Arabian societies have engaged in one of the most complicated and lengthy conflicts known to mankind, the makings of a highly difficult peace process. Unfortunately for all the world’s peacemakers the Arab-Israeli conflict, particularly the war between Israel and the Palestinian Territories, is rooted in far more then ethnic tensions. Instead of drawing attention towards high-ranking officials of the Israeli government and Hamas, focus needs to be diverted towards the more suspect and subtle international relations theory of realism which, has imposed more problems than solutions.