U.S. Bases in Israel Will Deter the Next October 7

Times of Israel ^ | Mar 2026 | Jose Lev Alvarez Gomez

[CondoleezzaProtege]

The State of Israel has proposed that the United States plant permanent military bases on its territory. Jerusalem wants Washington to relocate existing installations from elsewhere in the Middle East...

Establishing those bases, especially in southern Israel along the Gaza border, could potentially deliver the ironclad deterrence that has already raised the cost of mass attacks...

Critics call it entanglement. The facts say otherwise.

October 7 proved that distance breeds weakness. Iran’s war exposed scattered Gulf bases as sitting ducks. Southern Israel offers proximity, partnership, and punch.

The United States already has a military footprint in Israel, and CENTCOM personnel were deployed to help monitor the Gaza ceasefire...

If Washington accepts the offer, it will redraw the map of deterrence...

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TOPICS: Military/Veterans
KEYWORDS: bases; israel; israelfirstpolicy; middleeast; nato; timeforisrael2growup

[trebb]

But, if they do, they will end up like Iran as far as their “leadership” leaving this life.

Plus, unlike NATO, Israel will also be helpful in their defense.

[BigJimSportCamper]

The Israel-firsters don’t care, they’re the ‘wrong kind’ of ‘Christians’. Only the Hagee-Huckabee-Cruz types are.

[Liz]

The Israel-Firsters don’t care if Lebanon is a Christian country.

Lebanese are the ‘wrong kind’ of ‘Christians’ for the Israelis.

Only the Hagee-Huckabee-Cruz types are those the Israel Firsters harangue.

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Thanks for the clarification.

[BenLurkin]

No. Just no.

[Gunslingr3]

But let us suppose your fever dream comes to pass. We leave Israel alone to face unrelenting attacks by barbarians. At some point Israel chooses the Samson Option and the ME goes up in balls of nuclear fire.

So we're just supposed to be nuclear blackmailed into supporting religious fanatics and their enthnostate forever?

Hard pass.

If there was ever a case for the U.S. to launch a first strike nuclear attack, you just presented it.

[nathanbedford]

I acknowledge your devotion to Israel and your fidelity to our obligation we owe to Israel because of our long-standing legal and historical commitments. I share that sense that we owe Israel.

It is sad that such righteous sense of commitment does not extend to Ukraine. Indeed, it is Ukraine, but not Israel under my proposal, that has been "abandoned." Our commitment to Ukraine by word, deed and legal writ is very real too.

The idea that we abandon Israel when we embrace them, grant them citizenship and welcome them into our land as partners is absurd. To call that an abandonment is to say that our commitment to Israel extends not to the people but to the real estate.

The survival of the real estate may be important to Zionists, but it is not a moral imperative of the United States nor is it in our national interest when the risk can be averted at no cost to the lives of the Israelis.

[Lurker]

“It is sad that such righteous sense of commitment does not extend to Ukraine.”

That’s because Ukraine is a hyper corrupt oligarchy run by criminals.

“The idea that we abandon Israel when we embrace them, grant them citizenship and welcome them into our land as partners is absurd.”

What about the ones who don’t want to come here? You forgot that part. I posed that specifically. Why didn’t you respond to that?

Then there’s the whole Samson Option which you completely ignored…

Why is that?

L

[nathanbedford]

Ukraine is a hyper corrupt oligarchy run by criminals

You exaggerate. Yes, Ukraine has its corruption but half the world thinks that Israel is corrupt and, worse, engaged in genocide. To fixate on Ukrainian corruption while ignoring the rank corruption that is bedeviling the United States, smacks of hypocrisy. Finally, you ought to look at the trajectory: Ukraine is policing itself, exposing its corrupt actors, and has reformed enough to effect one of the most miraculous defenses of homeland that rivals that of the Israelis. This level of sacrifice and courage is not ot done by a nation thoroughly riddled by corruption.

What about the ones who don’t want to come here? You forgot that part. I posed that specifically. Why didn’t you respond to that?

I do not see, even now, that you pose that question. Those who do not want to come to the states would not participate in the protection of citizenship. To say that their rejection of a magnanimous offer of protection is the determining factor is to pass control of our national security to another nation. The offer being made of citizenship for those who come here is a thoroughly moral solution. The act of those rejecting the offer does not render it immoral. It is ethical for a country to act according to its national interests to the degree that the action is moral.

Then there’s the whole Samson Option which you completely ignored…

I am aware of the Samson story in the Bible but I am unaware of any present application, perhaps you can inform me.

[Lurker]

“ Yes, Ukraine has its corruption but half the world thinks that Israel is corrupt and, worse, engaged in genocide.”

So you would surrender to the lies. That’s very disappointing.

“ To fixate on Ukrainian corruption while ignoring the rank corruption that is bedeviling the United States, smacks of hypocrisy.”

I’m not fixated on it, merely pointing out the stark difference. In fact I’d leave the Ukrainians completely alone and would be happy to focus a whole lot more on what’s happening here.

“ This level of sacrifice and courage is not ot done by a nation thoroughly riddled by corruption..”

Ahem…Nazi Germany, Soviet Russia, Imperial Japan.. Spare me the sanctimony.

“ I am aware of the Samson story in the Bible but I am unaware of any present application, perhaps you can inform me.”

Actually I did. You weren’t paying attention. If Israel were ever to face the destruction they’d launch their nukes and take the entire ME with them. I was quite clear about that.

It’s all academic anyway. Most Israelis would never agree to such a ridiculous proposal. So put down whatever it is you’ve been imbibing and deal with reality.

L