Israel has the unique position of being a country created during a spike in globalization. It was officially created in 1948, meaning for its entire life it has been subject to the effects of globalization, which has led to many dependencies. Of these the most important to Israel are their dependence on foreign relationships, their dependence on global outcomes in Palestine, and their military dependence on US aid.
Because Israel’s creation occurred during globalization they have been subject to many changing relationships with other countries. They are endorsed by the US, and are friends of the United Nations, but their existence is also something that was not assured for a long time. Strained tensions between Palestine and Israel have forced Israel to rely on other countries. More specifically, they must be on other country’s good sides so that they can continue to export. Most of Israel’s economy is exports, and without countries willing to buy Israeli goods, the economy could collapse. This dependency on positive relationships is a very bad thing because there are so many ways it could go wrong. For example, exports to the US make up 23.13% of all Israel’s exports, so if they lose the US as a trading partner they will have a massive deficit in the economy (OEC: Israel (ISR) Profile of Exports, Imports and Trade Partners, n.d.). This dependency on positive foreign relationships has caused another important dependency that Israel has not yet managed to escape from.
“While their country gains military might, they find that their vibrant, export-oriented economy, dependent on a globalized world community, makes them vulnerable to an international community that is increasingly refusing to accept Israel’s ongoing occupation of the West Bank and Gaza” (Nir, 2011). Israel will never be truly independent until they give Palestinians their independence. This is because the global community previously mentioned as having control over Israel’s economy is becoming increasingly disapproving of the occupation of the West Bank and Gaza. Their disapproval could easily turn into a refusal to trade with Israel, which would cripple their economy. Because they are reliant on so many countries for their wealth, they are also subject to those countries’ desires, which are increasingly pointing to ending colonization. Therefore, Israel “won’t be truly independent until they give Palestinians their independence” (Nir, 2011).
In addition to a dependence on foreign relations and outcomes, Israel is also extremely dependent on US aid. The US sees Israel as a strategic ally in the region, so they have been giving massive military assistance to Israel. Most of this aid is meant to maintain Israel’s “qualitative military edge” over other militaries. In order to do this, military aid is going towards better equipment and training to compensate for being much smaller than surrounding countries. The whole reason for the US seeing Israel as a strategic ally is due to globalization. As a result of globalization more and more countries now want to be involved around the world because it gives them a foothold that can lead to increased trade, protection, and prosperity. This led the US to seek an ally in the Middle East, and when they found one in Israel, they sent aid to strengthen the alliance and ensure that Israel prospered. However, this aid has also served to cripple Israel, because without it the military falls apart from lack of funding.
Although Israel is striving to be more independent, they will never truly achieve that status until they change their export oriented economy, give Palestinians their independence, and learn to fund their military without US aid.
Because Israel’s creation occurred during globalization they have been subject to many changing relationships with other countries. They are endorsed by the US, and are friends of the United Nations, but their existence is also something that was not assured for a long time. Strained tensions between Palestine and Israel have forced Israel to rely on other countries. More specifically, they must be on other country’s good sides so that they can continue to export. Most of Israel’s economy is exports, and without countries willing to buy Israeli goods, the economy could collapse. This dependency on positive relationships is a very bad thing because there are so many ways it could go wrong. For example, exports to the US make up 23.13% of all Israel’s exports, so if they lose the US as a trading partner they will have a massive deficit in the economy (OEC: Israel (ISR) Profile of Exports, Imports and Trade Partners, n.d.). This dependency on positive foreign relationships has caused another important dependency that Israel has not yet managed to escape from.
“While their country gains military might, they find that their vibrant, export-oriented economy, dependent on a globalized world community, makes them vulnerable to an international community that is increasingly refusing to accept Israel’s ongoing occupation of the West Bank and Gaza” (Nir, 2011). Israel will never be truly independent until they give Palestinians their independence. This is because the global community previously mentioned as having control over Israel’s economy is becoming increasingly disapproving of the occupation of the West Bank and Gaza. Their disapproval could easily turn into a refusal to trade with Israel, which would cripple their economy. Because they are reliant on so many countries for their wealth, they are also subject to those countries’ desires, which are increasingly pointing to ending colonization. Therefore, Israel “won’t be truly independent until they give Palestinians their independence” (Nir, 2011).
In addition to a dependence on foreign relations and outcomes, Israel is also extremely dependent on US aid. The US sees Israel as a strategic ally in the region, so they have been giving massive military assistance to Israel. Most of this aid is meant to maintain Israel’s “qualitative military edge” over other militaries. In order to do this, military aid is going towards better equipment and training to compensate for being much smaller than surrounding countries. The whole reason for the US seeing Israel as a strategic ally is due to globalization. As a result of globalization more and more countries now want to be involved around the world because it gives them a foothold that can lead to increased trade, protection, and prosperity. This led the US to seek an ally in the Middle East, and when they found one in Israel, they sent aid to strengthen the alliance and ensure that Israel prospered. However, this aid has also served to cripple Israel, because without it the military falls apart from lack of funding.
Although Israel is striving to be more independent, they will never truly achieve that status until they change their export oriented economy, give Palestinians their independence, and learn to fund their military without US aid.
Citations:
- Nir, O. (2011, May 10). Celebrating interdependence on Israel's Independence Day. Retrieved October 1, 2014, from http://peacenow.org.il/eng/content/celebrating-interdependence-israels-independence-day
- OEC: Israel (ISR) Profile of Exports, Imports and Trade Partners. (n.d.). Retrieved October 1, 2014, from http://atlas.media.mit.edu/profile/country/isr/
- Sharp, J. (2014, April 11). U.S. Foreign Aid to Israel. Retrieved October 1, 2014, from http://fas.org/sgp/crs/mideast/RL33222.pdf