New Jersey Jewish News
Greater Monmouth County Feature
Israeli liaison to Fort Monmouth lauds ties with United States
The United States and Israel share a total commitment to the spirit of democracy, according to LTC Udi Kauf, the
Israel liaison officer to the U.S. Army at Fort Monmouth.
“There is a unique relationship between Israel and the U.S. for all these years,” said Kauf, during a May 5 briefing to army personnel and other guests at a gathering held in honor of Israel’s 58th birthday. “The United States and Israel share common values and have mutual strategic interests. [The relationship] is like a relationship between two peoples who share a total commitment to the spirit of democracy and an infinite dedication to freedom,” he said at the gathering held at Branches in West Long Branch.
Kauf, who is stationed at Fort Monmouth, is affiliated with the Israeli embassy in Washington, DC. Among the 100 attendees at the briefing were Eylon Javetz, a former Middle East security expert who participated in the development of the Israel Defense Forces’ low-intensity conflicts and counter-terrorism doctrines, and Col. Yoav Zacks, R&D attache at the Israeli embassy.
Despite the armed conflicts that Israel has had to engage in since the 1948 War of Independence, the state still wants a peaceful coexistence with its neighbors, Kauf told the audience.
“Unfortunately, the 1948 war wasn’t the last one to fall upon Israel,” Kauf said. “We’ve had to defend ourselves from then until today. [But] Israel seeks peace and good relations with its neighboring countries, including the Palestinians.”
The withdrawal of Israeli troops from Lebanon in 2000, the recent disengagement from Gaza, and the election of Prime Minister Ehud Olmert are examples of Israel’s desire for peace, he added.
These events “showed again that the will of the people of Israel is for continuing the peace process initiated by Prime Minister Rabin and continued by Prime Minister Sharon,” said Kauf.
He also put the U.S.-Israel relationship in historical perspective.
“It was President Harry S. Truman who said, ‘I had faith in Israel before it was established; I have faith in it now. I believe it has a glorious future.’ He also offered official U.S. recognition of the State of Israel only 11 minutes after its declaration of independence was signed on May 14, 1948,” said Kauf. “Thanks, America, for standing by Israel’s side and supporting us all these years.”
Like the United States, Israel has developed scientific and technological policies aimed at enhancing its competitive position, Kauf said. And the two have something else in common: Both have absorbed waves of immigrants from all over the world.
Many of the more recent arrivals in Israel left Eastern Europe following glasnost, and they brought their technological skills with them, he added.
“Many of the immigrants, along with other Israelis, are working today in areas that have contributed to our export markets,” said Kauf. “We have established a level of technology that ranks among the most advanced in the world. Israel is a world leader in computer technology, software, medical research, biotechnology, agriculture, solar technology, printing processes, diamond cutting, and more.”
As a result, international companies, including Intel, Microsoft, Hewlett Packard, IBM, and Cisco operate research and development facilities in Israel, he added.
“We may be a small country, but we have much to offer our neighbors, if they would only put aside their hate toward us and recognize us for the benefits that we could give them,” Kauf said. “For 58 years, we have lived in a state of uncertainty, yet in spite of what surrounded us, we have raised our families and developed a nation.”
Israeli fortitude will not waver, he said.
“We are living in Israel. This is our land and we intend to stay,” said Kauf. “Recently, we have heard the voice of evil — the president of Iran, who calls for the destruction of the State of Israel. We should not neglect his words; we are prepared and ready for any threat to harm us.
“The enemies of Israel, the U.S., and the free world will eventually be defeated, for they offer nothing to benefit mankind,” he continued. “If only they could look beyond their goals of trying to dominate the world, there could be so much to gain.”
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