US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo once wrote, "We must protect the very things that make America so special – most certainly including our civil liberties. But we cannot do so without strong national security and a thoughtful and informed discourse."
I believe Pompeo's words ring true not only for America but also for Israel. Without having strong national security and positive relations with other nations, which can enhance Israel's ability to fight terrorism, the Jewish state cannot continue to exist.
It is for this reason that I will vote in the upcoming elections mainly based on who is best for Israel's national security and foreign relations, and not any other issue. In an era when tensions with Hezbollah are at an all-time high, a new Iranian nuclear site was discovered and rockets are fired into Israel from Syria, I seek to support someone who has proven, successful experience regarding these issues rather than a general with little political experience.
According to a recent poll published by Mitvim, a left-leaning think tank, under Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, most Israelis feel that relations with the US, Europe and the Arab countries have improved dramatically. Under Netanyahu's tenure, the US recognized Israel's sovereignty over the Golan Heights and the holy city of Jerusalem. This led to Guatemala, Honduras, and the republics of Nauru and Vanuatu in the South Pacific recognizing Jerusalem as Israel's capital. Around the same time, Russia and Australia recognized west Jerusalem as Israel's capital. All of this would have been unthinkable if Israel did not have a prime minister with such a positive personal relationship with US President Donald Trump.
Under Netanyahu, Israel has built up a good positive working relationship with Russia's President Vladimir Putin. Due to Netanyahu's good connections with Putin, many conflicts that could have erupted between Israel and Russia in Syria have been averted. Both the Russian and Israeli militaries cooperate and speak with each other, so that neither country will reach a diplomatic crisis point. Without this positive working relationship, it is doubtful that Israel would be able to attack Iranian targets in the war-torn country. In addition, Israel's positive relationship with Russia led to the remains of Sgt. Zachary Baumel being returned safely to the Jewish state. Such a gesture would have been unheard of just a few years ago. This gives hope that maybe soon the body of the legendary spy Eli Cohen will also be returned to Israel for burial.
Even more startling, in the wake of Iran's establishment of a "Shia crescent" across the Middle East, a number of Arab countries that have no formal diplomatic relations with Israel have forged discreet connections with the Jewish state.
Furthermore, since 2015, Israel has official representation in Dubai. This has many implications for Israel's security. For the first time, both the Bahraini and Saudi leadership understand Israeli actions against Hezbollah. This has led to an economic relationship, as Bahrain also hosted an economic workshop in the framework of Trump's "deal of the century."
In addition, Israel is increasingly cooperating with Egypt in its fight against terrorism in Sinai. Both Egypt and the Gulf states despise not only Iran but also the Muslim Brotherhood, of which Hamas is the Palestinian branch. This recent Israeli-Sunni Arab cooperation would have been impossible without Netanyahu's serious approach to the Iranian threat.
Further east, Netanyahu is increasingly building a positive relationship with India. Under Netanyahu's tenure, an Indian prime minister visited Israel for the first time. Economic relations between the two countries are blossoming. Hindus increasingly feel that they have shared values and interests with the Jewish state. Both Judaism and Hinduism are ancient faiths, with a history spanning back thousands of years. Like the Jewish people, the Hindus of the Indian subcontinent are facing a radical Islamist threat. The Pakistan-India conflict over Kashmir is heating up. In addition, the Hindus of Bangladesh have faced brutal repression from radical Islamists. Shipan Kumer Basu, president of the World Hindu Struggle Committee, has said, "Our properties have been illegally seized by the Sheikh Hasina government. Now, we aim to oust Sheikh Hasina from power and to form an independent territory for Hindus, similar to the Jewish state. Israel is a source of inspiration for us." Under Netanyahu, Basu believes that a strong alliance between Jews, Hindus and other peoples oppressed by radical Islam is possible.
When it comes to Israel's security, there is no Left and no Right. At a recent event hosted by the Tel Aviv International Salon, Blue and White party leader and former IDF Chief of Staff Benny Gantz highlighted that point. Like Netanyahu, Gantz said, he too would strive to reduce the damage done by the Iran nuclear deal. He too opposes dividing Jerusalem, giving up large settlement blocs, and relinquishing Israeli control over the Jordan Valley. He is no fringe, radical leftist but a centrist in every sense of the word. And like Netanyahu, Gantz – who also lived in the United States and has excellent English – has the potential to enhance US-Israel relations. Gantz emphasized the importance of reaching across the aisle and building a coalition based on policies that enjoy broad support both among Israelis and in partnership with the American Jewish community. Thus, he does not oppose a unity government that includes both Blue and White and the Likud.
However, with all due respect to Gantz's distinguished military career, he is new to politics. He does not have the proven track record that Netanyahu has. Furthermore, with his willingness to build a broad coalition that includes everyone but the haredi parties, ministers in a Gantz government could represent parties whose platforms are detrimental to Israel's security and foreign relations. Gantz comes across as a decorated warrior with a friendly demeanor but the times remain too dangerous to engage in leadership experiments.
