The Deathly Waltz

The US-Israel relationship is a macabre dance that has created a necropolis out of Gaza and Lebanon

- Amir Ali

THE iconic political philosopher Plato was always wary of democracy, especially its mad ending. The run-up to the US election, before Joe Biden stepped down, presented the choice of his senility up against Donald Trump’s insanity. With Kamala Harris entering the race, there seemed to be an initial momentum on her side, especially as her campaign raised massive funds. Now as the US election is nearing, and the race to the White House between Trump and Harris keeps narrowing, there is only one thing that can be said with any degree of certainty. Irrespective of the outcome, US commitment towards Israel and its war in Gaza and Lebanon will remain unimaginatively unflinching.

A slavishness now characterises the US commitment towards Israel, which is a significant change in this most special of relationships between the two countries. This bodes ill for Israel in the future as one looks into the distance of the next decade. The reason for this is simple. Levels of Israeli aggression have been made logistically and militarily possible by the backing of the US at the forefront of the West, with the UK and Germany following in unquestioning lockstep. The UK has always been that most faithful of US sidekicks and its material involvement in the current Israeli aggression has been noteworthy. Almost half (47 per cent) of 1,600 reconnaissance flights have been undertaken by the UK, according to an Al Jazeera report, which suggests that this is part of a larger ‘‘air bridge’’ of 6,000 military flights provided by the US and the UK that has been vital in sustaining Israel’s prolonged military aggression.