I wrote the letter below to send to President Biden, in response to a letter sent to him by certain American Jewish leaders, in which they ask the president to reevaluate the relationship between the United States and Israel, including the forthcoming 10-year memorandum of understanding, in light of the controversy over judicial reform.

We thank you for your years of steadfast support for Israel and its people, as well as a strong, vibrant and mutually beneficial relationship between Israel and the United States.

We are writing because we are deeply disturbed by the efforts of some misguided American Jewish leaders who have written to you and are attempting to undermine that relationship by urging you to reevaluate it because of their disagreement in connection with certain current domestic issues supported by the democratically elected government of Israel. Just imagine what the reaction in the United States would be if Israelis urged their government to reevaluate its relationship with the United States because they disagreed with an American domestic policy, be it an executive, legislative or a judicial domestic issue.

As American Jews, we write as supporters of the longstanding friendship between the United States and its staunch ally, Israel, the only democracy in the Middle East.

The need for a strong relationship between America and Israel is greater today than ever, particularly in view of the increased danger from Iran, which is not only exporting weaponized drones to Russia, but has just signed a bilateral cooperation memorandum of understanding with Bolivia. Bolivia, which is in our backyard, has expressed an interest in receiving Iranian drones. Iran has also sought to do outreach in other countries in South America, as well as in Africa, all within the context of greater cooperation among Iran, Russia and China and their attempts to upend the U.S.-led global order.

Instead of communicating to the Israeli government that the upcoming MOU between the U.S. and Israel may be affected by Israel’s domestic issues, as the misguided American Jewish leaders are urging, we urge you to expedite tankers and KC46As to Israel, in order to deter Iran, so that it will see that Israel not only has the will, but also the capability, to attack Iran successfully. If Iran believes that there is a credible military threat on the table, and if America backs its ally, Israel, with a clear statement that America has Israel’s back, this will act as a deterrent to Iran.

The core values which Israel and America share, and the many other ties that bind the two countries, run deep. Those who are urging you to reconsider American policy towards Israel are harming America’s interests and giving aid and comfort to America’s and Israel’s enemies.

Jewish tradition teaches that the Temple in Jerusalem was destroyed because of baseless hatred. There is much disagreement among Jews in Israel right now, but we pray, and indeed we have confidence, that Israel will resolve its domestic issues on its own, and that the friendship and relationship between Israel and America will only grow
stronger.

Mindy Stein

Teaneck