America’s response to insulting rants by the Israeli occupation’s Defence Minister, Moshe Yaalon, was described by the Israeli media as “unprecedented” and “the harshest ever”. Yaalon had said in a public forum that the US was “weak” in the face of Russia and therefore prone to terrorism. An anonymous US official responded by saying that Yaalon was “jeopardising Israel’s relationship with the US”.
What was most astounding about America’s response was that it was made anonymously. An Israeli government minister from the prime minister’s party took to a university podium and insulted the US in broad daylight and all America could conjure up was an anonymous, timid criticism. US Secretary of State Kerry later complained that the statements were “not constructive”.
The Israelis have for decades been biting the hand that feeds them. It is time to stop feeding them. Israeli officials have no qualms about humiliating America time and again, knowing well that America will turn a blind eye. If there is a country that makes the US look weak, it is not Russia — it is Israel. How the Middle East policies of a global superpower the size of America can be held hostage by a tiny militaristic, supremacist regime thousands of kilometres away is beyond comprehension.
The “special relationship” between the US and the Israelis is an abnormal one. It violates the very essence of what Americans stand for: Freedom, equality and justice and it will haunt America for decades to come after peace and justice eventually prevail. And they will. Israel is fighting a losing battle, facing increasing isolation from the international community. And yet the US chooses to stand firm on this sinking ship.
Future generations will ask how America, in defiance of the international community and every moral code, stood by a rogue regime that subjugated an entire native population to its racist and exclusionist ideology. Do not forget South Africa.
The sooner the Americans realise this, the better for all — but perhaps it will be best for America’s conscience.
