Did Israel have any imput in the Cold War?

Question:Im trying to tie in the Cold War and the US recognition of Israel in 1948 for an essay. If you have any info please share. =) Thanks.

Best Answer - Chosen by Asker: Im trying to tie in the Cold War and the US recognition of Israel in 1948 for an essay. If you have any info please share. =) Thanks.

Israel and the Zionist organizations often found itself in a delicate balancing act in regards to US Cold War policy early on.

At the end of WW2 and until 1948, Truman found himself alligned with GB against the emerging Soviets. The Soviets were gobbling up all of Eastern Europe, putting pressure on Turkey in the Black Sea, and creating mini states near the Caspian Sea. The British were bankrupt and were going to abandon their empire, apart from strategic points such as the Suez canal, and were hoping that America would fill in the void.

Truman, like the American public, had sympathy for the Jewish refugees and by the end of 45 was already requesting that GB sponsor the admission of Jews into Palestine. Many Zionists, like Chaim Weizmann, were actively pushing Truman to deny Jews entry into the U.S. as that would take away part of the argument that they need an independent home. Brushing aside State Dept concerns that the US should coordinate with the British to counter Soviet advances and guard against further instability in the Middle East, Truman pushed onto GB Jewish immigration into Palestine.

Another point was that while Germany was now an Ally to the US it was important not to inflict upon it heavy reperations for the Holocaust, which might start appearing to the public as Soviet Jewish influence in American affairs. Since the USSR was the enemy now, in the early 50's and until the 6 day war, American Zionist circles had to walk a fine line in not appearing pro-Soviet in their attacks on Germany. Once the 6 day war ended and America now saw a greater opportunity to bank on Israel, the dynamics changed in Israel's favor as a partner against the Soviets.

The Eisenhower doctrine and the Suez crisis, and the results of the 6 day war. Both of these had significant effects on Cold War policy.

The fact it is Katyusha Soviet rockets that go flying over head in Lebanon, Syria, Iran, and Iraq today are illustration that our Cold War policy and our Israeli policy went very much hand in hand.

Yeah...the recognition of Israel pissed off all the Arab countries such as Syria and Egypt. Israel along with Great Britain and France tried to invade Egypt after they Nasser took over the Suez. Fighting and tension between Israel and other Arab countries took place during the cold war as well as today. Israel also became America's ally for life.