A reality of U.S.-Israel cooperation has continuously become distorted through a growing political narrative. Americans have been convinced they must choose between “America First” and “Israel First” which is misleading and divisive. In the past two years, analysis has shown a significant drop from 64% of Americans to 50% who believe the U.S.-Israel security relationship strengthens U.S. national security. The rising “America First vs. Israel First” narrative frames U.S.-Israel relations as a zero-sum tradeoff. Despite this, the United States’ annual investment of $3.8 billion into Israel yields an estimated 400% return-on-investment, far outweighing the cost. Importantly, this growing skepticism is not grounded in any new or emerging evidence; rather, it stems from narratives that increasingly scapegoat the Jewish people and the Nation of Israel within political discourse. Such framing is not merely inaccurate, it is dangerous, undermining the U.S. national welfare and weakening global stability. From a Christian perspective, it also poses a threat to our nation’s moral and spiritual health.
Since Israel’s founding in 1948, a strong U.S.-Israel security relationship has always been a cornerstone of U.S. foreign policy and remains of strategic importance today. In 2001, Chairman of the Senate Intelligence Committee Daniel Inouye briefed Israel’s home front security minister on Israel’s unique contributions to the national security of the U.S.: “The scope of intelligence received by the U.S. from Israel exceeds the scope of intelligence received from all NATO countries combined.” Israel’s unique positioning in the Middle East region gives the United States leverage over terrorism, enemy attacks, and Russian weapons. Israel sits in the epicenter of jihadist and Iran-backed terrorism, making it a live intelligence laboratory for counterterrorism. Additionally, Israel routinely operates in environments such as Syria and Lebanon, giving unique access to Russian military doctrine. If the United States were to generate this intel on its own, it would cost Washington the expense of “five CIAs,” says Major General George Keegan. In the United States, the CIA’s budget is $15 billion annually. This substantially exceeds the $3.8 billion given to Israel in foreign aid, thus putting America first.
In terms of global stability and military capabilities, the United States and Israel share a series of mutual threats, ranging from global Islamic Terrorism to nuclear weapon developments. Fortunately for the United States, because of this U.S.-Israeli cooperation, not a single American soldier has risked his or her life in Israel to strengthen the posture of deterrence in the Middle East. Unlike all other U.S. allies, Israel does not require military bases for its defense. Former Secretary of State Alexander Haig described Israel as “America’s largest aircraft carrier that doesn’t need a single American soldier on board.” In order for America to generate the same level of deterrence in the Middle East without Israel’s existence, America would need to deploy extra aircraft carriers and ground divisions, amounting up to 20 billion dollars annually. In addition, these deployments would risk the lives of a multitude of American soldiers. This is all spared by one Jewish state, merely the size of New Jersey. Donald Trump continues pro-Israel policies centered on the recognition that a strong Israel, supported by a strong America, enhances peace in the region. This is America first.
Israel is the world’s only Jewish state, situated in a region persistently hostile to Jewish sovereignty. Israel’s continued existence is neither accidental nor ordinary. To deny the presence of a higher power or spiritual intercession in Israel’s survival is to ignore history itself. The Jewish people were scattered to the ends of the earth, persecuted across centuries, and yet were gathered back to their ancestral homeland in 1948. To see the promises fulfilled of Ezekiel 11:17 “Therefore say: “This is what the Sovereign Lord says: I will gather you from the nations and bring you back from the countries where you have been scattered, and I will give you back the land of Israel again.” is evidence to hold firm also to God’s promise to Abraham and warning to the nations around Israel, “I will bless those who bless you and whoever curses you I will curse; and all peoples on earth will be blessed through you” (Genesis 12:3). To the benefit of America, it is in our best spiritual interest to ally with Israel. For the Lord, Creator of the universe, holds Israel in His hands.
Grace Herold is a Young Women for America Ambassador in Florida.
