Vance: We cannot allow our Middle East foreign policy to be dictated by Israel - Sarmad

U.S. Vice President JD Vance stated that Washington cannot allow its foreign policy in the Middle East to be subordinate to Israel.

Speaking at a conference organized by the “All In” podcast, Vance emphasized that the relationship between the two countries must be built on the basis of American interests first. He acknowledged that Israel has been an important partner in military technology and intelligence sharing, but noted that the United States does not always agree with Israel.

Vance pointed out that President Donald Trump has demonstrated, more than any president in the past 40 years, a genuine willingness to distance himself from Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu when he feels that the interests of the American people diverge from those of the Israeli government.

Vance continued: “Donald Trump is the only president in the past 40 years who has been willing to say that Bibi is a good partner, but Bibi and I have different views on this matter, or that Bibi is wrong on this, or perhaps Bibi is right from Israel’s perspective, but the American people need us to head in a different direction.” He argued that grounding this relationship in America’s interests is the right path to conducting a rational dialogue.

The Vice President noted that this logic also applies to the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO), explaining that while Washington has important relationships and partnerships within the alliance, this does not mean its European foreign policy should be entirely subordinate to NATO. Similarly, its policy in the Middle East cannot be allowed to be subordinate to Israel.

He affirmed that the United States will cooperate when cooperation is possible, will disagree when interests diverge, and will always seek to advance its own interests, as this is the only way to pursue a rational foreign policy.