Close to Home: Benjamin Netanyahu speech aside, save this alliance

Although the debate over whether Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu should have spoken to Congress appears to be the dominant issue in the media, we cannot lose sight of the consensus position that brings together Americans and Israelis: Iran should be kept as far away as possible from having the capability to produce nuclear weapons.

Such a development would further destabilize an already turbulent region and threaten our allies. This is a shared goal.

Some policy differences between the U.S. and Israel on Iran are unsurprising. Netanyahu’s insistence on the total dismantlement of Iran’s nuclear infrastructure is at variance with the administration’s efforts, along with the P5+1 partners, to limit rather than eliminate altogether Iran’s capacity and extend the “breakout time,” the span of time before Iran could amass enough fuel for a nuclear weapon.

This can be understood in the context of the differing realities that the two nations face. The United States is a large and powerful country that may see some of its interests threatened by Iranian nuclear capability. However, it does not need to view Iran as an existential threat.

In contrast, Israel is a small country that faces a completely different geopolitical reality. Not only is Israel in the same neighborhood as Iran, it also has been directly threatened with destruction by the Tehran regime.

Bipartisan support for Israel and for a strong U.S.-Israel relationship is an enduring national commitment. The fact that some members of Congress chose to absent themselves from the prime minister’s address should not be interpreted as an act of hostility toward Israel. The historic friendship between the U.S. and Israel and their shared commitment to curtail Iranian nuclear ambitions remain strongly bipartisan issues.

While there have been times in the past when U.S. administrations and Israeli governments have disagreed on foreign policy issues, the basic alliance between the two has never been called into question. Every administration since the founding of the state of Israel has affirmed Israel’s right to defend itself.

In a democracy, respecting different views and conducting civil discourse are essential. A society that reflects no differences of opinion is a society that is governed by a dictatorship of fear. Debate and dissent are signs of a healthy and vibrant democratic process.

However, it is vital that our differences of opinion be conducted with a sense of mutual respect. In such an atmosphere, everyone stands to gain a deeper understanding of complex issues.

As a community and as individuals, we must pledge to uphold the basic norms of civil discussion and debate at our public events. We do this not to stifle free expression of views but rather to protect it.

Mordecai Miller is rabbi of Congregation Beth Ami in Santa Rosa.