How much is the American presidential seal worth? The majestic eagle circled by stars was, until recently, highly valuable—a warranty backed by the world’s mightiest military, political and economic power.
That’s why a letter of commitment bearing the presidential seal played a crucial role at a turning point in Israel’s history 20 years ago. In the spring of 2004, Prime Minister Ariel Sharon encountered obstacles trying to advance his plan for a total withdrawal from the Gaza Strip. At the time, Gaza was home to thousands of settlers and several divisions of the Israel Defense Forces.
The concerns were twofold: first, that the precedent of a withdrawal to the 1967 borders in Gaza might eventually be applied to Judea and Samaria, creating indefensible borders for Israel, and second, that the move would be interpreted as a retreat under fire, strengthening terrorist groups in the Gaza Strip.
President George W. Bush came to Sharon’s aid. He dispatched a letter that helped win the support of Israel’s ministers and Knesset members that Sharon needed. Many recall Mr. Bush’s implicit promise in the letter to Sharon—“It is unrealistic to expect that the outcome of final status negotiations will be a full and complete return to the armistice lines of 1949”—meaning that Israel would be able to retain the parts of Judea and Samaria where the settlement blocs are.
In recent discussions with high-ranking officials in Israel and the U.S., I was surprised to learn that some had forgotten another, far firmer commitment in the letter: “Israel will retain its right to defend itself against terrorism, including to take actions against terrorist organizations. The United States will lead efforts, working together with Jordan, Egypt, and others in the international community, to build the capacity and will of Palestinian institutions to fight terrorism, dismantle terrorist organizations, and prevent the areas from which Israel has withdrawn from posing a threat that would have to be addressed by any other means.”
This principle, as outlined in the letter, was ratified by both houses of Congress with overwhelming majorities, lending additional weight to the commitment as follows: “Whereas Israel has the right to defend itself against terrorism, including to take actions against terrorist organizations that threaten Israel’s citizens.”
When President Obama took office in 2009, he quickly erased the commitment to recognize the settlement blocs. WikiLeaks documents reveal that officials in his administration were instructed to assert that this document wasn’t binding, all the while urging Israel to withdraw to a distance only a 15-minute drive from Tel Aviv’s main intersection.
Over the past 20 years, the U.S. has failed in the efforts it pledged to uphold: to fight terrorism and prevent Gaza from becoming a threat to Israel. When Hamas took control of Gaza in 2007, the U.S. did nothing. In the summer of 2014, President Obama withheld Hellfire missiles from Israel during its military operation against Hamas. In May 2021 President Biden pressured Israel to discontinue another military operation in Gaza.
Now, with his announcement to halt the delivery of weapons, Mr. Biden has shredded Mr. Bush’s letter to Sharon. The consequences will be catastrophic even if Israel prevails in Gaza. The entire region and the world are closely watching leaders renege on commitments and strategic partnerships.
An American statement used to be like the U.S. dollar—universally coveted and esteemed. But times have changed and the dollar’s value, much like presidential assurances, has diminished. It should come as no surprise that countries such as Saudi Arabia now have a new list of demands for Washington, from a nuclear reactor to a defense alliance.
Now, instead of delivering promised support to an ally, the U.S. is hindering efforts. By halting the shipment of weapons to Israel, it is effectively sending Hamas the most potent weapon of all: hope.
