It depends on your definition of partner.
First of all they are clearly not an ally, not even a worthy proponent BUT they can be considered something better than an adversary.
In that respect I think it's to our advantage to 'work together' in the war on terror whenever it proves to be of mutual benefit.
I would even say the same thing of the French and the German governments although I hold the French in much less regard than the Germans, Russians or the Chinese.
As for Israel i agree totally that we should stand shoulder to shoulder with them - just so long as my taxes don't foot the bill. I mean if the hardworking and creative Taiwanese can pay for their own weapons why can't the equally talented Jews ?
I have mixed emotions on that one. Like you, I don't feel the need to support that speck of land, which is nothing more than a gigantic pain in the ass, with my tax dollars.
On the other hand, they do provide a valuable point of presence for us in that hellhole called the middle east and I think they are worth the investment. Practically speaking, what we give them is 'defense capability' since most of the aid is spent on American manufactured weaponry.
The question would be whether that point of presence is worth the weaponry we give them. In the balance, I think it probably is.