Israel and United States have been closely allied since Israel's
founding. President Harry S Truman officially recognized Israel
almost immediately after it declared independence, and popular
support for this new state grew among Americans Jews and Christians
alike. Support for Israel has remained high even as the strategic
value of the alliance has apparently diminished. Indeed, in
supporting Israel the United States has at times pursued a
sub-optimal foreign policy. This presents an interesting political
puzzle: in a country where public policy is made by majoritarian
institutions (Congress and the president) designed to represent
local interests and opinion, how has the cause of this small country
maintained consistently high levels of support from policymakers and
the public alike? That is the question we, together with our
colleagues Kenneth Wald and Beth Rosenson, investigate in this
research project.