Assistant Professor of International Relations, Department of International Affairs, College of Arts and Sciences, Qatar University
The study examines the backgrounds and manifestations of the exceptional U.S.-Israeli relations during Israel's war on the Gaza Strip following October 7, 2023. Following the events of October 7, a strong alliance quickly formed. This partnership featured seamless coordination of advanced warfare shipments and strategic battlefield planning bolstered by robust intelligence support. It showed an unusual relationship that developed rapidly within days after the October 7 events. The United States has reasoned for such development by claiming that Israel is facing a coexistence threat, while Israel used to be the incubator and protector of the US and European vital interests in the Middle East, as per President Biden's notions. This unique partnership has led the United States to exceed the boundaries of international norms governing conflicts in the global community, such as international humanitarian law.
Through its unprecedented political and military support for Israel, the US stands in defiance of the international will. It rejected calls for a ceasefire in Gaza despite the ongoing genocide there and its potential consequences.
The central hypothesis of this article is the profound shock of October 7 that affected the US views and prospects of the Middle East, where it assumed Israel as the cornerstone of the region at the economic and security levels. As such, this new dynamic prompted an exceptional approach to dealing with Israel's war against Gaza. It was characterized by unlimited support for Israel. In this context, the study leverages tools from both the realist and constructivist schools to interpret the unique ties between the United States and Israel.
The study concludes that the US commitment to ensuring Israel's military superiority over its adversaries in the Middle East has driven it to rebuild the deterrence framework, which was challenged by the events of October 7. The US's exceptional support for Israel created new potential for long-term consequences on regional stability and the Palestinian issue that is defiance of the US prospects and traditional vision. Such a conclusion has been achieved through extraordinary support to Israel during the war on Gaza.
Keywords: Keywords: Genocide, "Al-Aqsa Flood," Gaza Strip, the Palestinian issue, United States, US-Israeli relations, Israeli occupation, Middle East, the balance of power.
