Last week, Israel transferred a strategic parcel of land in Jerusalem to the United States for the construction of a new embassy complex. Under the terms of a 99-year lease, Washington will pay a nominal rent of one dollar for the site, which was expropriated from Palestinian owners, including descendants who are US citizens. Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar described the arrangement as both a recognition of shared history and a commitment to the future, emphasizing the enduring strength of the US-Israel relationship despite recent political challenges.
The handover ceremony came amid strained relations between the two countries, highlighted by former President Donald Trump’s vocal criticisms of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Trump reportedly launched a series of expletive-laden attacks on Netanyahu concerning military actions in Iran and Lebanon, provoking accusations from American commentators and politicians who viewed recent US negotiations with Tehran as a betrayal. Nevertheless, the event underscored the deep institutional and historical ties that continue to link Washington and Jerusalem.
The United States was the first country to extend de facto recognition to Israel in 1948 and has since become its most significant ally. US support has included vetoing United Nations Security Council resolutions unfavorable to Israel and deploying military assets, such as bombers, against Iranian targets. While the European Union plays a vital economic role as Israel’s leading trading partner and popular travel destination, it receives less diplomatic attention compared with the US relationship.
Netanyahu, who has served as Israel’s prime minister for much of the past three decades, has long leveraged close ties to the United States in his foreign policy strategy. Historically, Israel pursued bipartisan cooperation in Washington to safeguard its interests regardless of changes in administration. However, Netanyahu shifted away from this approach to cultivate a personal rapport with Trump’s administration. The 2017 US decision to recognize Jerusalem as Israel’s capital—a major reversal of previous American policy—was touted by Netanyahu as an early reward of this alignment. Military cooperation, including joint strikes against Iran earlier this year, represented a high-water mark in Netanyahu’s influence in Washington and enjoyed overwhelming support among Jewish Israelis amid a surge in pro-American sentiment.
Following these developments, the US decision to pause bombing raids and reopen negotiations with Tehran sparked anger and disbelief within Israel, fueling calls for the country to enhance its strategic autonomy. Writing in Israel Hayom, commentator Nadav Haetzni stated that “help is not on the way,” urging reliance on Israel’s own military strength for survival.
Despite these calls for greater self-reliance, Israel remains heavily dependent on the United States for advanced defense capabilities, including American fighter jets and missile defense systems critical for intercepting Iranian threats. Furthermore, US diplomatic support continues to be essential for protecting Israeli interests on the international stage. The recent land transfer thus serves as a symbolic affirmation of a bilateral relationship that, while occasionally strained, remains pivotal for both countries.