The United States also wanted a strategically situated military partner as the Cold War unfolded. Israel shares U.S. values on democracy, freedom of the press, the treatment of women and so on. Some American Jews have dual citizenship and vote in Israeli elections. A free-trade agreement allows Israeli products to enter the United States without a tariff. American Jews contribute heavily to Israel, and some contributions are tax-deductible, an indirect subsidy by the U.S. government.
Israeli politicians use American consultants, polling and media techniques.
U.S. and Israeli military share intelligence and weapons technology, and Israel is said to have carried out such covert operations for the United States as funneling arms to the contras in Nicaragua. The rest, according to Ohad Marani, minister for economic affairs at the Israeli Embassy in Washington, goes to debt payments for earlier military purchases. There's an incredible bipartisan consensus for it. There have always been differences between the two governments, and no issue has been more contentious than the building of Jewish settlements in occupied territories. There is no time limit on our commitment to Israel.