U.S. Support for Israel Has Often Been Generous. It’s Never Been Unconditional

On Wednesday, the longtime Democratic operative, and prospective 2028 presidential candidate, Rahm Emanuel delivered a speech at Tel Aviv University about Israel’s current situation and its relationship with the U.S. Emanuel, like many American politicians, made clear that he is a “true friend” of Israel there to tell the “hard truth.” He went on to argue that the Jewish state has been ill served by its most important ally’s “unconditional support”—a phrase he used thrice in succession. Though this characterization has become quite common in the U.S., American support for Israel, however generous, has never been “unconditional.”