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Israel partnership delivers billions in security benefits to US, former FBI agent says
ReIsrael partnership delivers billions in security benefits to US, former FBI agent says
A former FBI agent who served in Israel argues the US-Israel alliance is mutually beneficial, citing intelligence sharing, missile defense cooperation, and billions in annual returns that protect American security.
The strategic partnership between the United States and Israel delivers far more to American security than it costs, according to a former FBI supervisory special agent who served a four-year tour in Israel focused on counterterrorism. The argument comes as anti-Israel sentiment has grown on American campuses and in political circles since the Hamas attack of October 7, 2023.
The former agent, who worked alongside Israeli police, Shin Bet, and other security services from 2020 to 2024, describes a two-way exchange of intelligence covering threats from Iran, its terror proxies, and the weapons those groups can employ against Americans. He was in Israel on October 7 and worked with U.S. and Israeli counterparts to gather intelligence on missing victims, including Americans, and to seek justice against Hamas perpetrators.
Beyond intelligence cooperation, the relationship includes joint military action. Over six months ago, the U.S. and Israel conducted joint strikes on Iranian military targets with the goal of preventing the Iranian regime from acquiring a nuclear weapon. The former agent notes that Israel tests U.S. weapons systems in combat and has aided in the development of defensive missile systems, many of which have been used in the current conflict with Iran to protect American bases and allies overseas.
The financial return on the U.S. investment is substantial, according to Federal Newswire analysis cited in the piece. Although Israel is America's largest recipient of foreign aid, the return on investment far exceeds the cost. In 2016, the U.S. agreed to provide Israel $3.8 billion per year for 10 years. Analysis shows the U.S. receives approximately $48 billion in annual benefits from this agreement.
The former agent warns that anti-Israel sentiment gathering momentum in the U.S. is nationally self-sabotaging. He points to protests that erupted after October 7, 2023, when Hamas invaded Israel from Gaza, slaughtered over 1,200 victims, and kidnapped another 251. The streets and campuses of America exploded with protests against Israel while endorsing Hamas, a response he describes as sympathetic to terrorists rather than victims.
Vilifying Israel is becoming normalized in 2026 by both American politicians and voters, the former agent argues. Some Democratic candidates and representatives are associating themselves with the Democratic Socialists of America, an organization that made support for Israel's right to defend itself an expellable offense in 2025 and adopted opposition to Zionism as an organizational principle. The DSA supports sanctioning Israel while opposing sanctions on oppressive governments in Cuba, North Korea, Iran, and Venezuela.
Public opinion has shifted as well. An April 2026 Pew Research Center poll found that 60% of U.S. adults have an unfavorable view of Israel. The former agent acknowledges that antisemitism plays a central role for anti-Israel fanatics, but suggests most Americans are simply unsure of the truth due to what they consume on legacy news media and social media.
The relationship between the two nations dates to 1948, when the U.S. became the first country to recognize Israel after its proclamation of independence. In the 1990s, the two countries developed deep strategic cooperation and intelligence sharing that continues today. The FBI opened an overseas post in Tel Aviv in the mid-1990s and has maintained a presence there since.
The former agent describes Israel as the canary in the coal mine when it comes to terrorism, noting that Israel's experience with terrorism is often a preview of what the West can expect within its borders. He concludes that America is safer because of Israel, testifying to that truth from his official FBI tour.
