Gates: U.S.-Israeli Partnership as Important as Ever

The United States has stood as a friend and partner of Israel since its independence in 1948, and that situation won’t change, Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates said here yesterday evening.

Secretary of Defense Robert M. Gates (on right) receives the Henry M. Jackson Distinguished Service Award from Robert Stevens, chairman of Lockheed Martin, at the Jewish Institute for National Security Affairs annual dinner in Washington, D.C., Oct. 15, 2007. (Defense Dept. photo by Cherie A. Thurlby)

In an age of Middle Eastern-sourced terrorism with global reach that is threatening Americans and Israelis alike, “it is even more important to maintain and bolster our partnership,” Gates said at the Jewish Institute for National Security Affairs’ annual Henry Jackson Award dinner.

Gates is this year’s recipient of the institute’s Jackson award, named after late U.S. Sen. Henry M. Jackson, a staunch Cold Warrior and stalwart supporter of America’s friendship with Israel.

Iran is no friend of the United States or Israel, and its desire for nuclear capability and apparent ambition to dominate the region are causing “great anxiety and instability” across the Middle East, Gates pointed out.

Only “a united front of nations” can exert enough pressure to coerce Iran to give up its nuclear ambitions, Gates said.