By Itself, With U.S.: The Case for a U.S.-Israel Mutual Defense Treaty Post-10/7

The purpose of this paper is to assess the impact of Hamas’s barbaric attack on Israel on October 7, 2023, and ensuing events on the value of a U.S.-Israel mutual defense treaty (MDT), which JINSA has promoted since 2018. This new paper maintains that in light of October 7, including the subsequent multi-front war that Israel has faced against Iran and its proxies, and the ups and downs experienced by the U.S.-Israel relationship, the rationale for formalizing a U.S.-Israel alliance and significantly deepening the two countries’ commitment to each other’s mutual security is stronger than ever.

In multiple reports dating back to 2018, the Jewish Institute for National Security of America (JINSA) has argued that a carefully tailored MDT would contribute to regional stability while enhancing the capabilities, interests, and deterrence of both Washington and Jerusalem. Recognizing the value of such a treaty, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu directly discussed the prospects for a bilateral MDT with both former president Donald Trump and President Joe Biden.

A working group run by JINSA under the leadership of former NATO Supreme Allied Commander Adm. (ret.) James Stavridis, in July 2019, issued a comprehensive report, For a Narrow U.S.-Israel Defense Pact, making the strong strategic case for a U.S.-Israel mutual defense pact. The report also included the full text of a draft treaty.

JINSA’s September 2023 report, From Partner to Ally: The Case for a U.S.-Israel Defense Treaty, argued that such a treaty would enable Israel to deter major threats, help prevent a nuclear Iran, and mitigate the severity of a major conflict involving Israel. Shortly thereafter, Biden and Netanyahu privately discussed the MDT in New York during the United Nations General Assembly, leading to plans for follow-up discussions between senior American and Israeli officials in Washington.

Unfortunately, the need for such a treaty only became more urgent weeks later with the October 7 attack, which deeply traumatized Israeli society while shattering Israel’s security and deterrence. The months that followed the attack also further underscored the vital importance of the United States rapidly providing weapons deliveries, deterring Iranian proxies on multiple fronts, defending against direct Iranian attack, and blunting international political pressure and legal charges. JINSA believes that one of the most powerful ways to signal that the United States stands firmly beside Israel at this critical and dangerous moment would be to transform one of its most capable global partners into an invaluable ally through a mutual defense treaty.

Click here to read the report.

JINSA Policy Staff
Michael Makovsky, PhD
President & CEO
John Hannah
Randi & Charles Wax Senior Fellow
Blaise Misztal
Vice President for Policy
Jonathan Ruhe
Director of Foreign Policy