The DSR Network Need to Know: The Debate Democrats Need to be Having on US-Israel Policy
Dec 24, 2025
Daniel Shapiro, former U.S. ambassador to Israel and foreign policy expert, joins David Rothkopf to dissect the evolving U.S.-Israel relationship. They discuss the need for Democrats to engage in a candid debate about policy, especially in light of growing criticism of Israel. Shapiro warns against the dangers of cutting military aid while advocating for a moral and strategic commitment to Israel. He emphasizes the necessity of a two-state solution and the impact of generational shifts in American perceptions of Israel, pushing for a rethinking of U.S. policy.
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Keep The Partnership, But Reform It
- Daniel Shapiro warns that abandoning the U.S.-Israel relationship would be a moral, political, and strategic mistake.
- He argues the partnership still serves U.S. interests and should be reformed, not discarded.
Multiple Simultaneous Threats Matter
- Shapiro stresses Israel faced simultaneous threats from Hamas, Hezbollah, the Houthis, and Iran after October 7.
- He says U.S. support matters because these actors also threaten American interests.
Cutting Support Invites Strategic Vacuum
- Shapiro warns that cutting U.S. assistance to Israel would embolden hostile actors and invite rivals into the region.
- He predicts partners would shift toward Russia, China, or other suppliers, weakening U.S. influence.