It is no mystery that the strongest ally to the United States in the Middle East is Israel. Israel is a dynamic, modern democratic nation with free elections where all citizens can vote. Israel is the only country in the Middle East that allows free press and free speech, and that recognizes the rights of women, homosexuals and people of all religious affiliations. Israel is a global leader in industry and innovation and is increasingly at the forefront of medical and technological breakthroughs. Israel clearly shares similar values to the United States, giving light to the vital importance of their continued bond.
The clear pathway to peace requires a two-state solution, a plan that is widely endorsed by the majority of Israelis, Palestinians and Americans. Israel has shown its desire for peace repeatedly throughout history. Even without a clear counterpart to negotiate with, Israel has gone out of its way to exchange land for peace to aid in the creation of a Palestinian state that can coexist alongside the Jewish State. Events like the Oslo Accords, the 2000 Camp David peace accords, the 2005 unilateral pull out from Gaza and, most recently, the 10 month settlement freeze, show failed attempts by U.S.-backed Israel at negotiating for peace with Palestine. It is clear that we must continue to promote a strong U.S.-Israel alliance here on campus as a means toward establishing a lasting peace in the Middle East.
As an academic institution, the University of Wisconsin, led by the Middle Eastern Studies Department, should strongly advocate for the continued support of the U.S.-Israel partnership since it is the lone Middle Eastern nation that tolerates academic freedom. Like the UW, Israel is a global leader in the fields of biotechnology and medical innovation, and has made major advances in stem cell research and the fight against HIV/AIDS. An Israeli invention, the Emergency Bandage, is even saving U.S. soldiers in Iraq by preventing them from bleeding out in battle. Israel’s Green movement has reforested and reinvigorated the desert, desalinated water supplies and environmentally improved crop yields. Israel has also won the ranking of No. 1 in worldwide milk output by incorporating balanced diets and improved technology into the maintenance of their dairy cows.
Separating ourselves from Israel, a country whose values are parallel to the U.S., does nothing to improve the condition of the Palestinian people or work toward promoting peace between Israelis and Palestinians. The two-state solution is overwhelmingly endorsed by the UN, the U.S. government on a bi-partisan basis, and Israel. To foster a culture of coexistence, brotherhood and peace, we must go beyond blaming and look toward developing understanding in the region and on campus. Israel is surrounded by nations that refuse to recognize its existence. Students and faculty at UW, as future and current leaders respectively, must advocate for the United States to continue to be a strong ally of Israel for the mutual benefit of both freedom and democracy worldwide.
Jonathan Buksbaum ([email protected]) is a junior majoring in psychology and political science. He is the Vice President of MADPAC, the Madison U.S.-Israel Public Affairs Committee
