ABSTRACT
The United States has a special relationship with Israel, which is reflected in the preferential treatment Israel receives in the military, diplomatic, and economic spheres. The relationship is based on three pillars: strategic interests, the role of Israel in domestic American politics, and Israel’s cultural resonance in American political culture. Each of these factors has a major effect on the relationship, though their relative importance has varied significantly and none alone explains American support for Israel. After outlining the major developments in the relationship, the role of each factor is analyzed. It is argued that most of the major upgrades of the strategic relationship were driven by a strategic rationale. Cultural resonance undergirds the relationship generating a predisposition to support Israel that significantly impacted on policy. It is also the foundation on which the pro-Israel lobby is built. Domestic American politics has rarely been the driving force behind major shifts in the relationship, but it makes it more difficult to pressure Israel. Nonetheless, if the administration prioritizes an issue, it will get its way. The chapter also assesses trends that will affect the future development of the relationship. Going forward, the increasingly problematic relationship between Israel and the Democrats is likely to become an increasingly significant challenge.
