- February 6, 2025
- 9:50 pm
- World News
US relations with Israel and Ukraine develop differently. For decades, Israel has been receiving political, military, and economic support from Washington, while assistance to Ukraine is much less consistent and often depends on the current international situation.
Experts cite several key factors:
- US historical commitment to Israel
- Strong Israeli lobby in America
- The strategic importance of Israel in the Middle East
- The role of religious groups in the USA
- Different effects of diasporas
Each of these factors contributes to the significant disparity in the level of support for the two countries.
The Ukrainian Comment portal (Ukrainian) invited experts to express their opinions on this issue.
Why does the United States support Israel?
Strategic ally in the Middle East
The United States has been supporting Israel since its creation in 1948. As noted by Eva Antonenko, an expert at the Ukrainian Institute of Politics, Washington views Israel as a key ally in the Middle East.
“Israel plays an important role in ensuring stability in the region. The United States considers it an outpost of democracy and a counterbalance to terrorist threats and dictatorial regimes,” explains Antonenko.
This support manifests in several ways:
- Military assistance. The United States allocates approximately $3.8 billion annually to Israel for defense, including financing missile defense systems.
- Political protection. Washington regularly exercises its veto power in the UN to protect Israel’s interests.
- Economic cooperation. The USA and Israel closely collaborate in technology, medicine, and defense.
Political scientist Sergei Taran emphasizes that Israel not only receives assistance but also provides the United States with strategic advantages.
“The Middle East is a region filled with conflicts. Israel is the only democratic country that the United States can count on, making it an indispensable partner,” he states.
The role of the Israeli lobby in the United States
A significant factor contributing to this support is the powerful Israeli lobby. Organizations such as AIPAC (American-Israeli Public Affairs Committee) wield considerable influence over American politics.
Journalist Vitaly Portnikov highlights in an interview with Israeli journalist Emil Shleimovich that the influence of the Israeli lobby largely determines Washington’s decisions:
“The Jewish diaspora in the United States has achieved remarkable success in building a system of political influence. They not only raise funds for candidates but also form strategic alliances,” he notes.
Portnikov also compares the Jewish and Ukrainian diasporas:
“Ukrainians have not been able to establish similar lobbying institutes. Jewish emigration to the United States has historically been more organized and focused on creating institutions of influence,” he adds.
The influence of religious groups
The religious factor should not be underestimated. The presence of Christian evangelicals in the USA, who support Israel for religious reasons, considering it a fulfillment of biblical prophecies, contributes significantly to this dynamic.
As a result, for American politicians, Israel is not just an ally; it is also a country whose support is crucial for their voter base.
Why does Ukraine not receive the same level of support?
While Ukraine does receive military and economic assistance from the United States, the volume of this support significantly lags behind that of Israel. The reasons for this are multifaceted.
Ukraine is not a NATO member
One of the primary factors is Ukraine’s absence from NATO. Although Israel is also not a member of the alliance, its strategic importance to the United States is perceived as greater.
Military analyst Sergei Zguret observes:
“Ukraine remains an important partner of the United States but is not part of their collective security system. This makes assistance more situational,” he explains.
Fear of escalating the conflict with Russia
For American politicians, Russia is a nuclear power with which they prefer to avoid direct conflict.
Political scientist Ivan Yakovina explains:
“Washington supports Ukraine, but only to a certain extent. Unlike Israel, which the United States is willing to defend without restrictions,” he emphasizes.
The weak influence of the Ukrainian lobby in the United States
The Ukrainian diaspora in the United States comprises about 1.2 million people, but it is far less influential than the Jewish diaspora.
Political expert Vladimir Dubovik comments:
“In the USA, there are powerful Jewish organizations that have developed a lobbying structure over decades. The Ukrainian diaspora has not been able to build a similar apparatus,” he states.
As a result, when decisions are made in Congress, Israel’s interests are considered almost automatically, while Ukraine’s support is often the subject of extensive debate.
How can Ukraine strengthen US support?
Despite these differences, Ukraine can learn from Israel’s successful strategies. What actions could help Kyiv?
1. Development of a powerful lobby
Ukraine should engage more actively with American politicians and establish a professional lobbying presence.
2. Strengthening ties with the diaspora
Vitaly Portnikov emphasizes:
“Ukraine should leverage Israel’s experience in working with its diaspora. The stronger the Ukrainian community in the USA, the greater the support for Kyiv will be,” he asserts.
3. Expanding strategic cooperation
The more robust the connections between the United States and Ukraine in military, economic, and technological domains, the more stable the support will become.
4. Attracting religious allies
Ukraine can actively engage with religious groups in the USA, similar to the approach Israel takes.
Conclusion
The United States considers Israel its most important ally in the Middle East, while Ukraine is not yet a top priority for Washington.
For decades, Israel has built strong diplomatic, economic, and military ties with the United States, alongside a formidable lobbying presence. Ukraine is just beginning to embark on this path.
If Kyiv continues to proactively work to enhance diplomacy and connections with its diaspora, the situation may change in the future.
Read similar materials also on NAnews– Israeli News.
