Simcha Rothman is a member of the Israeli Knesset, representing the Religious Zionist Party. He is a lawyer by profession and advocates a strong U.S.-Israel alliance. In an interview with Federal Newswire, he conveyed his views on the U.S.-Israel alliance, the strategic advantages of American support for Israel, and why that support should be configured as part of a larger mission to ensure stability in the Middle East.
American Ties and Judeo-Christian Bonds
Although Rothman is firmly rooted in Israel’s complex landscape—he lives with his family in Gush Etzion, in Judea, a region significant in Jewish history—he maintains close connections to the United States. His family has roots in Cleveland, Ohio, which he recalled with a smile, and he frequently travels to America to meet with congressional leaders, Jewish communities, and conservative organizations.
Rothman sees the U.S. as an ally in a larger ideological struggle. “The values of democracy, freedom, and respect for every person’s dignity are shared principles. They were the ideals the U.S. was built on, and they resonate deeply here in Israel,” he said.
For Rothman, the bonds between Israel and America go beyond formal treaties and shared military efforts. He considers Israel to be not only America’s closest ally in the Middle East but also its strongest. “The Founding Fathers wanted to build a new Israel, a place rooted in freedom,” he said, drawing on the common Judeo-Christian values that bind the two nations.
“Israel is the front line of Western civilization here,” he added, reflecting on the importance of shared principles amid rising regional tensions.
America's Support for Israel Provides U.S. Dividends
In Rothman’s view, American support is a vital component in the region’s stability and Israel’s security. He underscores the practical benefits of Israel as a reliable ally in the Middle East.
“Israel is the cheapest and largest aircraft carrier the U.S. has,” he said, describing his nation's strategic role in intercepting terrorist threats that could otherwise reach American soil.
Rothman highlighted how Israel’s intelligence and counter-terrorism operations often target individuals on America’s wanted list. “Before they chant ‘Death to Israel,’ these groups chant ‘Death to America.’ We are fighting a shared enemy,” he said.
According to Rothman, Israel's role for America is similar to Germany’s—a logistical and strategic hub for the U.S. military, and a critical investment for the United States to keep regional threats contained. “We don’t need American troops on the ground here. Our soldiers are fighting Hezbollah and Hamas, the same groups that threaten the U.S.,” he asserts.
Israel’s Contributions to U.S. Intelligence and Innovation
Rothman points to intelligence sharing as an under-recognized area of Israeli support for the U.S. “There have been terrorist attacks in the U.S. that were thwarted due to Israeli intelligence. We can’t talk about specifics, but the cooperation is real,” he said.
He is also quick to emphasize Israel’s contributions to defense technology, which benefits the U.S. military. “When the U.S. sells an aircraft to another country, they can show how the Israelis have adapted and improved it. Israel provides a battle-tested proof of concept" he explained.
He also referenced shared efforts in fields like cybersecurity and medical technology, areas where Israel’s contributions have bolstered American resilience. For Rothman, Israel’s role as an innovator extends the impact of U.S. investment and reinforces a mutually beneficial relationship.
Concerns about U.S. Funding for UNRWA
One area where Rothman is critical of U.S. policy is the continued funding of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA), an agency he believes exacerbates rather than alleviates issues in Gaza and the West Bank.
Rothman noted that despite the agency’s purported focus on humanitarian aid, it has been implicated in facilitating anti-Israel sentiments and activities. “American taxpayer money went to UNRWA, and it’s being used to fund terror tunnels and rocket storage,” he said.
Rothman’s concerns are compounded by reports of UNRWA employees’ involvement in the Oct. 7 attacks. The U.S. State Department has paused UNRWA funding, with Secretary of State Antony Blinken citing concerns about accountability and the involvement of certain UNRWA staff in the attacks. The UN confirmed that nine UNRWA staff members were dismissed over suspected involvement in the attacks, prompting calls for deeper scrutiny of the agency's neutrality and practices, given its humanitarian mandate in Gaza.
“Funding to UNRWA was a mistake, and it’s high time it was re-evaluated,” Rothman said.
Prospects for Resolution in Israel’s Conflict
When discussing potential resolutions to the ongoing war, Rothman is cautious but firm. He warns against what he describes as the simplistic notion of a two-state solution, which he feels ignores Israel’s unique geographical vulnerabilities.
“People in Washington think in terms of distance as in the U.S. But Israel is small,” he said. “Proposing a two-state solution is like suggesting a terror state in Brooklyn when you live in Manhattan.”
Rothman also criticized the intense American diplomatic focus on Palestinian statehood, arguing that the U.S. should instead encourage broader peace agreements like the Abraham Accords. He believes that emphasizing the Palestinians above other regional considerations detracts from real diplomatic opportunities in the Middle East.
“The more you focus on the Palestinian issue, the less peace you’ll get," he said. "The State Department’s attachment to the two-state solution has held back progress with the wider Arab world."
