Portrait of Mike Pompeo
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Mike Pompeo on Israel

Strong Israel advocate (strong)

TL;DR

Mike Pompeo has consistently and vocally expressed strong support for Israel as a major ally and anchor of regional stability.

Key Points

  • He oversaw the controversial move of the U.S. Embassy in Israel to Jerusalem while serving as Secretary of State.

  • He characterized Israel as "everything we want the entire Middle East to look like going forward" in October 2018.

  • He has stated that he joined the board of directors for Cyabra, an Israeli counter-disinformation company, in 2023.

Summary

Mike Pompeo has consistently expressed strong support for Israel, describing the nation as a major United States ally and a crucial anchor of regional stability. During his tenure as Secretary of State, he oversaw significant policy shifts favorable to Israel, including the controversial moving of the U.S. Embassy to Jerusalem and the recognition of the Golan Heights as part of Israel. He has repeatedly affirmed Israel’s right to self-defense, strongly condemned groups like Hamas, and emphasized the necessity of maintaining robust deterrence against hostile actors throughout the Middle East.

He further articulated his support by expressing a negative view of the Boycott Divestment and Sanctions (BDS) movement, which he has argued unfairly targets Israel and should be considered antisemitic. He has also criticized other nations for recognizing a “so-called Palestinian state,” contending such moves prolong suffering in Gaza rather than securing peace. Furthermore, he has argued that Israel’s long-standing control over the West Bank and Gaza should not be termed an occupation, citing what he views as the nation’s biblical and historical ties to the land.

Key Quotes

My guess in their quiet moments is that they're hoping that the Israelis get all the leash they need to go unhinge, Hezbollah, unhinge Hamas, and demonstrate to the Iranians that your continued action, whether directly or through proxies is just unacceptable.

Frequently Asked Questions

Mike Pompeo's core position is one of strong, unwavering support for Israel, viewing it as a vital U.S. ally and a necessary democratic anchor in the Middle East. He has consistently advocated for close U.S.-Israel relations and has supported key policies favorable to the Israeli government.

As Secretary of State, Mike Pompeo oversaw the relocation of the U.S. Embassy to Jerusalem and recognized the Golan Heights as Israeli territory. He also worked to broker the Abraham Accords, which normalized relations between Israel and several Arab nations.

He has been critical of international efforts to recognize a Palestinian state, viewing it as counterproductive to peace. Furthermore, he has expressed a negative view of the BDS movement, equating it with antisemitism.