Ron Dermer: Israel is an asset for the United States

• Published date: 18 December 2020
• Author: Arutz Sheva Staff
• Date: 18 December 2020
• Publication title: Israel National News (Israel)

And for the better part of these last 10 years, Ron Dermer has served as the Jewish state's ambassador in Washington, D.C.

He is not the first native-born American who emigrated to Israel, rose to political prominence, and was then sent back here on behalf of his chosen nation. But his intimate understanding of America and the sensibilities of its citizens — both Jewish and non-Jewish — has helped him in his service and made him all the more effective.

Ambassador Dermer is now preparing to leave his post and return home to Jerusalem. Before he goes, he joins the Tikvah Podcast to discuss what he's done, what he's proud of, the basis of the U.S.-Israel relationship today, and why he remains hopeful about the alliance between America and Israel in the 21st century.

Dermer said that during his seven years in Washington he tried to "anchor the foundations" of the US-Israel relationship into an understanding of the two countries' common interests.

"People just focus on the value stuff, but the main argument against the relations between the US and Israel was always focused on the interests, which is to say that Israel is a liability to America," he said.

"Between about 1967 and let's say 2010, if you would ask people if Israel was an asset or liability, the answer would depend on who you asked and when you asked." Dermer said.

"Some people would say Israel was an asset, I'm talking about senior...