Why U.S. Aid to Israel Is Viewed as a Strategic Investment, Not Charity

In an opinion column, former U.S. ambassador Gordon Sonld explains that the United States’ security assistance to Israel, while appearing large in isolation, is a modest share of the overall defense budget and delivers substantial strategic value. He points to Israel’s world-class intelligence, battlefield-tested innovations, and cutting-edge cyber and missile-defense technologies that help the U.S. pre-empt threats and save costs on research and development.

Joint projects such as Iron Dome, David’s Sling, and Arrow, along with defense procurement that feeds American factories, further tighten the partnership. Sonld also emphasizes Israel’s unique position as a democratic outpost in a volatile region, arguing that its existence curtails Iranian and extremist influence. He warns that abandoning the alliance would force the U.S. to shoulder far greater financial and security burdens, and calls for continued, constructive criticism of Israel rather than disengagement.