The enduring bond between the United States and Israel is a cornerstone of American foreign policy, a commitment that has consistently transcended partisan divides and presidential administrations. This deep-seated relationship, often described as unbreakable, has been a recurring theme in the rhetoric of US leaders across decades.
From Donald Trump, who in 2025 characterised the friendship as “absolutely unbreakable,” to Joe Biden, who on Israel’s 75th Independence Day in 2023 reiterated it as a “deep and unbreakable” connection, the sentiment remains constant. Even earlier, in 2009, Barack Obama declared the bonds “as strong and unshakable as ever.” George W. Bush, in 2008, attributed the alliance to “the shared spirit of our people, the bonds of the Book, [and] the ties of the soul.” This historical continuity can be traced back to the nation’s very beginnings, with records of correspondence between George Washington and Hebrew congregations, as detailed in the book Jewish Roots of American Liberty.
The Perceived Mystery of US-Israel Ties
To many observers worldwide, the strength of the US-Israel relationship can appear puzzling, even inexplicable. In regions where anti-American sentiment is prevalent, this steadfast US support for Israel often serves to amplify such views, leaving many perplexed by the depth of the alliance.
- Conspiracy Theories: Some attribute this strong bond to elaborate theories of a “malign Zionist conspiracy,” driven by obscure and sinister agendas. These notions often echo discredited antisemitic forgeries like The Protocols of the Elders of Zion, a text unfortunately still referenced by extremist groups.
- Lobbying Explanations: A more common, though still incomplete, explanation points to the influence of a “powerful Jewish lobby” within Washington. However, this explanation fails to adequately address why American policymakers would be so susceptible to such lobbying efforts.
The Profound Impact of Hebraic Ideas on America
The underlying reasons for this “enduring friendship” and “close and unshakable bond,” which so often baffle outsiders, are explored in depth in Jewish Roots of American Liberty: The Impact of Hebraic Ideas on the American Story, edited by Wilfred M. McClay and Stuart Halpern. This comprehensive volume, featuring essays from twelve contributors, delves into the multifaceted “Hebraic impact on the United States.”
The book highlights a reciprocal relationship:
- Jewish Gratitude to America: It acknowledges the immense debt owed by Jewish people to America, a nation where they have found opportunities to flourish in a way that has been rare elsewhere in the world.
- America’s Debt to the Jews: Equally significantly, the authors argue that “America owes a profound and incalculable debt to the Jews,” who provided the fundamental moral framework upon which the American experiment in democratic self-governance was built.
The Hebrew Bible’s Influence on American Institutions
Five key contributions within the volume specifically illustrate how the Hebrew Bible, both directly and indirectly, shaped the very formation of America’s political institutions. This influence is particularly striking when considering that the United States’ historical trajectory differs significantly from that of other Western nations. Jews were not merely present but were integral to the nation’s foundational years. As a nation built by immigrants, the US saw Jewish people among its earliest settlers.
Chapter 17 of the book recounts a significant historical moment: in 1905, President Theodore Roosevelt participated in the celebration of the 250th anniversary of the arrival of Jewish people in North America. This event underscores the long-standing presence and integration of the Jewish community from the nation’s early history.
Faith and Liberty: The Judeo-Christian Foundation
Many early immigrants to the United States sought refuge from religious persecution. The essays within Jewish Roots of American Liberty demonstrate that the nation’s core identity is deeply embedded within the Judeo-Christian tradition.
- Divine Providence in Independence: The Declaration of Independence itself is imbued with a belief in God, and the Bible is presented as a foundational text for the American national character.
- Zionist Support Rooted in Scripture: Early and contemporary fundamentalists have often based their support for the Zionist movement on the Old Testament’s narrative of the Jews’ liberation from slavery and their divinely guided journey to the “promised land.”
A century ago, as the US commemorated the 250th anniversary of the American Revolution, then-President Calvin Coolidge delivered a significant speech on May 3, 1925, while laying the cornerstone for the Jewish Community Center Building in Washington. Chapter 18 of the book features this speech, in which Coolidge spoke eloquently about the profound “debt the young American people owed to the sacred writing that the Hebrew people gave to the world.” He highlighted the “strikingly impressive” biblical influence evident in the founding documents of the New England states, noting that John Davenport, a founder of the New Haven colony, had ensured Hebrew language instruction in the first public school there.
Coolidge also paid tribute to the contributions of Jewish individuals to the American Revolution, both through political support and military service.
The “Faith of Liberty”
President Coolidge articulated that “The Jewish faith… is predominantly the faith of liberty… From earliest colonial times, America has been a new land of promise to this long-persecuted race.” He further underscored the significance of Hebraic influence by quoting the assertion that “Hebraic mortar cemented the foundations of American democracy.” His concluding remarks emphasized the vital role of biblical faith in preserving American democracy, stating: “If American democracy is to remain the greatest hope of humanity, it must continue abundantly in the faith of the Bible.”
Visitors to the National Museum of American Jewish History in Philadelphia can view a letter of greeting from George Washington to the leader of the Hebrew Congregation of Philadelphia, a testament to the early recognition of the Jewish community’s place in American society. Further along, a letter from Abraham Lincoln to a Jewish community leader expresses gratitude for a loyal address, further illustrating the historical ties.
A Significant Jewish Presence
While Jewish populations in most nation-states are relatively small – for instance, less than 0.5% in the United Kingdom and around 0.8% in France – the United States stands apart. In the US, the Jewish population numbers in the millions. Current estimates suggest that the Jewish populations of both the United States and Israel are roughly equivalent, each around 7.5 million people. This substantial presence, deeply interwoven with the influence of the Hebrew Bible, forms an inextricable part of America’s very fabric and identity.
Jewish Roots of American Liberty, through its clear and compelling narratives from its twelve contributors and other included material, effectively communicates this vital message. The book illuminates the deep historical, political, and cultural connections between the United States and the Jewish people, presenting a story that is both significant and highly recommended for a rewarding read.
