Israel and the Middle East: A Conservative Primer

Israel is the United States' closest ally in the Middle East and the only democracy in a region dominated by authoritarian regimes. The conflict between Israel and its neighbors is one of the longest-running disputes in modern history — and one of the most consequential for American foreign policy.

The History

The modern State of Israel was established in 1948, when the United Nations partitioned the British Mandate of Palestine into a Jewish state and an Arab state. The surrounding Arab states rejected the partition and invaded. Israel survived, but the conflict has continued for over 75 years.

Israel has fought major wars in 1948, 1967 (the Six-Day War), 1973 (the Yom Kippur War), and has faced ongoing terrorism, rocket attacks, and intifadas. The October 7, 2023 attack by Hamas — which killed over 1,200 Israelis and took over 200 hostages — was the deadliest day for the Jewish people since the Holocaust.

Why Israel Matters to America

Shared Values

Israel is a democracy with free elections, an independent judiciary, freedom of speech, and protection of religious rights — including for Muslims and Christians. It shares America's commitment to liberty and democratic governance in a region where both are rare.

Strategic Alliance

Israel provides the United States with intelligence, military technology, and a strategic foothold in the Middle East. Israel's intelligence services have provided critical warnings about terrorist plots targeting Americans. Joint military research has produced systems like the Iron Dome, David's Sling, and the Arrow missile defense systems.

The Iran Threat

Iran is the primary threat to Israel and to American interests in the Middle East. Iran's regime — which regularly calls for "Death to America" and "Death to Israel" — is the world's leading state sponsor of terrorism. Iran funds and arms Hezbollah in Lebanon, Hamas in Gaza, the Houthis in Yemen, and Shia militias in Iraq and Syria.

Iran's nuclear program is the most dangerous proliferation threat in the world. The regime is within weeks of weapons-grade enrichment. A nuclear-armed Iran would trigger a regional arms race and could lead to the first use of nuclear weapons since 1945.

Key Statistics

• Israel has a population of approximately 9.7 million, including over 2 million Arab citizens
• The U.S. provides Israel with approximately $3.8 billion annually in military aid under a 10-year memorandum of understanding
• Iran has funded over $20 billion to Hezbollah since 1982
• Over 1,200 Israelis were killed on October 7, 2023
• Israel's Iron Dome has intercepted over 10,000 rockets since deployment

The Conservative Position

Conservatives support a strong U.S.-Israel alliance based on shared values and strategic interests. This includes:

• Unwavering support for Israel's right to defend itself
• Maximum pressure on Iran to prevent nuclear weapons acquisition
• Recognition of Israel's sovereignty, including Jerusalem as its capital (achieved under President Trump)
• Opposition to the Iran nuclear deal (JCPOA), which provided Iran with billions in sanctions relief while only delaying — not preventing — its nuclear program

For more on the broader dynamics of global conflict, see our roots of modern conflict analysis.

What's at Stake

The Middle East is the crossroads of three continents and the source of much of the world's energy. A strong Israel is essential to American interests — and to the survival of the only democracy in a region that desperately needs one. The question is whether America will stand with its allies or abandon them to the forces of extremism.