From intelligence sharing to missile defense, how Israel's partnership protects American security

The anti-Israel sentiment that has been gathering momentum in the U.S. since Oct. 7, 2023, is nationally self-sabotaging. Americans should understand the ties between the U.S. and Israel are mutually beneficial and a significant portion of America’s security can be linked directly to this vital relationship.

After Oct. 7, 2023, when the terrorist organization Hamas invaded Israel from Gaza and slaughtered over 1,200 victims and kidnapped another 251, the streets and campuses of America exploded with protests against the victim – Israel – while endorsing the murderous terrorist organization – Hamas. This century has never seen such a widespread response that was sympathetic to terrorists and not to victims.

Fast-forward to over six months ago when the U.S. and Israel conducted joint strikes on Iranian military targets with the goal of stopping the Iranian regime from having a nuclear weapon. With on-again, off-again ceasefires and deals that have not yet resulted in a lasting peace or a change in status regarding Iran’s pursuit of nuclear weapons, some Americans are now accusing Israel of pressuring the U.S. to serve Israel’s interests, blaming the Jewish state for dragging the U.S. into an extended overseas war, using American resources to defend Israel and putting U.S. troops in harm’s way, to name only a few.

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Vilifying Israel is becoming normalized in 2026 by both American politicians and voters. Some Democratic political candidates and representatives are associating themselves with the Democratic Socialists of America (DSA). Being anti-Israel is a DSA core value; in fact, Gaza has become a central issue for the organization. In 2025, the DSA adopted a resolution making a member’s support for Israel’s right to defend itself an expellable offense. In the same year, opposition to the idea of Jews having a homeland in the historic land of Israel (Zionism) was adopted as an organizational principle.

American left-wing politicians are not just paying lip-service to the DSA, they are aligning themselves with this organization that supports sanctioning America’s strongest ally in the Middle East while opposing American sanctions of oppressive and tyrannical governments such as those found in Cuba, North Korea, Iran and Venezuela.

And what of the general U.S. population? An April 2026 Pew Research Center poll found "60% of U.S. adults have an unfavorable view of Israel."

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Is antisemitism behind this anti-Israel phenomenon? Absolutely – it plays a central role for the anti-Israel fanatics. But most Americans are not fanatics and in a world of social media lies, many are simply unsure of the truth, a logical byproduct of what they consume on legacy news media and social media.

After the United Nations General Assembly voted to create a Jewish state in late 1947 and Israel’s subsequent proclamation of independence in May 1948, America supported Israel by being the first country to recognize the fledgling nation. The American-Israeli relationship grew over the following decades, and Israel, the only democracy in the Middle East, was seen as a vital strategic asset to America in the face of Soviet influence in the region. In a May 1968 article in the LA Times, American social philosopher Eric Hoffer wrote, "…at this moment, Israel is our only reliable and unconditional ally. We can rely more on Israel than Israel can rely on us."

In the 1990s, the two countries developed a deep strategic cooperation and intelligence sharing relationship that continues today. According to the Federal Newswire, although Israel is America’s largest recipient of foreign aid, the return on investment far exceeds the cost.

For example, in 2016, the U.S. agreed to provide Israel $3.8 billion per year for 10 years. Analysis shows the U.S. receives, in return, approximately $48 billion in annual benefits from this agreement. Benefits to the U.S. include Israel testing U.S. weapons systems in combat, providing intelligence to the U.S. (covering threats from Iran, its terror proxies, and the weapons each can employ against Americans), and aiding in the development of defensive missile systems – many of which have been used in the current conflict with Iran to protect American bases and allies overseas.

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The FBI opened an overseas post in Tel Aviv in the mid-1990s and the FBI has had a presence there ever since. From 2020 to 2024, I was assigned to Israel as an FBI supervisory special agent focusing on counterterrorism matters with our Israeli security partners.

I personally experienced the two-way exchange of intelligence with Israeli police, Shin Bet and other security services on all matters related to threats faced by both countries. I was in Israel for the horrific global event of Oct. 7 and worked around the clock with U.S. and Israeli counterparts to gather intelligence on the missing victims (including Americans), seek justice against the Hamas perpetrators and provide comfort and answers to the victims’ families. The cooperation between the two nations could not be stronger.

I have previously written about how Israel is the "canary in the coal mine" when it comes to terrorism – "Israel’s experience with terrorism is often a preview of what the West can expect to see within its borders." America is safer because of Israel and – because of my official FBI tour in Israel – I can testify to this truth. The relationship between Israel and the U.S. is not based solely on shared values, history, or political support – it is also built on a deep mutual security interest that provides tangible benefits to the American people.

Hoffer concluded his aforementioned 1968 LA Times article with the following ominous warning, "I have a premonition that will not leave me; as it goes with Israel so will it go with all of us. Should Israel perish, the Holocaust will be upon us all."

Americans need to realize the true quid pro quo of the U.S.-Israeli alliance before concluding Israel is a bad actor. U.S. politicians and voters should recognize that Americans are safer on our shores because of Israel. As Hoffer implied 58 years ago, if Israel’s existence is endangered or this alliance with America fails, it threatens us all.