U.S. Foreign Policy: Israel & Egypt

U.S foreign policy regarding Israel and Egypt began to change after the formation of the State of Israel in 1948. Before this time Britain was the reigning presence in the Middle East. The U.S. led the way and was the first to recognize the state of Israel after U.N. Resolution 181 allowed for the creation of Jewish and Arab states through the partition of Palestine. Middle East-U.S. relations dramatically changed at this point, incorporating stresses involved in contemporary foreign policy, "The stresses of accommodating both an increasingly close relationship with Israel and ties with Arab states that were at war with Israel have marked American relations with the Arab world ever since," (Middle 2003, 3). Pro-Israel support in U.S. policy was responsible for a rise in Arab nationalism, particularly in Egypt under Gamal Abdel Nasser. When Arabs blocked the Suez Canal, President Eisenhower favored territorial compromise to resolve the dispute between Israelis and Palestinians over the West Bank and Gaza Strip instead of partition. Eisenhower began restricted military aid to Israel and increased economic aid to conservative Arab regimes, forcing Israel to withdraw the Gaza Strip and the Sinai during the Suez Canal Crisis. Since Eisenhower's time in office, U.S. policy continues to support militarization of the region, including both Israel and Arab states, while still dealing with national security issues such as the purs

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terests in the region while helping Israel protect itself from its Arab neighbors hostile to its creation. After the Cold War, however, the U.S. continues to supply Israel with enormous military and economic aid. This is viewed as biased policy in the Arab world because the U.S. has vetoed any U.N. Security Council Resolutions calling for Israel to return lands occupied during the 1967 War that are in violation of international law. The U.S. has also vetoed any U.N. Security Council Resolutions calling for condemnation of Israel for attacks on Palestinians refugees during the two major Arab uprisings. Egyptian President Sadat understood the major role played by the U.S. in the region, particularly where Israel was concerned, "Cairo averred that Washington could be made to bring pressure to bear on Jerusalem, provided the Arabs knew how to present their case to U.S. administration and World public opinion," (Meital 1998, 4). When President Jimmy Carter came to office, Egypt was viewed as a lynchpin in achieving a resolution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, while Egypt viewed the U.S. as a lynchpin in achieving its agenda nationally and in the region. Greater cooperation and increased aid to Egypt were forthcoming after the

Category: Foreign - U