In a complex and dangerous world, there are few allies more important to the United States than Israel.
The American-Israeli relationship is one of the strongest friendships between any two nations on Earth. Built on a foundation of shared interests and values, the relationship benefits both nations immensely.
There are many different reasons why Americans should support Israel. The tiny Jewish State has an outsized impact in advancing America’s security, enriching its economy, and improving life for its people. In turn, America is Israel’s most critical ally on the face of the planet. Many wonder: How exactly do these two great allies work together?
Israel shares our values. It is the only democracy in the Middle East—the only place in the region where the fundamental values championed by the United States, like individual freedom, human rights, and the protection of minorities, are exercised. Perhaps most importantly, Israel and the United States share an unwavering commitment to the values of democracy and human rights, the rule of law, freedom of religion, freedom of the press, and freedom of assembly. The U.S.-Israel friendship helps spread these values in an area of the world suffering from radicalism, fundamentalism, and discrimination.
Israel shares our interests. Israel shares America’s interest to create a peaceful and democratic world. At the U.N., the two nations have a virtually identical voting record. To put it simply, there is no country on the face of the earth more pro-American than Israel.
To fight common threats like ISIS, al-Qaeda, and Iran, the United States and Israel share intelligence and jointly develop military capabilities. Israel is a critical ally in the war on terror. In the battle against Islamic extremism, Israel and America stand together on the front lines. According to Maj. Gen. George J. Keegan Jr., the former head of US Air Force intelligence, the United States “owes more to the Israeli intelligence input than it does to any single source of intelligence.”
For instance, America funded the creation of Israel’s remarkable Iron Dome defense system, which has knocked countless terrorist rockets right out of the sky. It will soon be used to guard American troops abroad. Past U.S. Defense Secretary Ashton Carter credits Israeli technology and innovation used in Iraq with saving US soldiers’ lives. Our soldiers also routinely train together, and our generals coordinate at the very highest strategic levels.
Israel and the United States are also intimately tied economically. With a population of just over 9 million, Israel is a vital research and development hub for American companies like Microsoft and Facebook. It has more foreign companies listed on the New York Stock Exchange than any other country besides China. Thirty years ago, Israel and the United States signed America’s first free trade agreement.
Israel and the U.S. also cooperate in scientifically vital research areas. From biotechnology to clean energy to healthcare, American and Israeli scientists are working together to improve all our lives. For example, Israel is home to some of the world’s largest and most advanced water desalination plants and has already pledged to use its technology and expertise to help California cope with its drought.
Israel makes America—and the world—a better place. Israel’s incredible contributions in fields from health to agriculture to technology save lives, create jobs, and enrich communities across the United States. With advances ranging from text messaging to cancer research, from drip irrigation to the flu vaccine, odds are that the innovative Israeli people have improved life for you and your family!
When Israel declared independence in 1948, America was the first country in the world to formally recognize her. In the words of President Johnson, “America and Israel have a common love of human freedom and they have a common faith in a democratic way of life.”
While a recent policy disagreement between the two governments over the Iran agreement created unavoidable tension, both governments have voiced hope in putting it in the past. Thanks to our shared values, the Israel-America friendship will continue to flourish and grow stronger in the years to come.
Updated September 15, 2026
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