Our long journey together - as Israel's first, longest, and most reliable ally - has kept the Jewish state far safer and stronger than it could have otherwise been. And our loyalty to you has sometimes come at a cost to America.
America's troubles with the Middle East, have often been aggravated by Muslim resentment over U.S.'s steadfast alliance with Israel.
While Israel has been a useful ally in that region, the reward to America has been a tiny fraction of the cost. Yet America's respect for Israel's civil society and government, and our shared values, have kept us by your side.
But now Israel turns to the American far-right for support - overlooking its diminishing power and influence. A passing national temper-tantrum, momentarily coughing up Donald Trump as president, does not mark an historic American rejection of democracy and the rule of law - unlike the legislation now going through the Knesset - to become the law of the mob, at the service and urging of a prime minister indicted on corruption charges.
Israel must withdraw from its assault on its own independent judiciary, before it finds itself becoming one with the very nations it fears. And Israel should do so, now, before it finds itself without the friends who have for so long remained steadfastly loyal.
Israel, have you seen where you are headed? What you are becoming?
- Apartheid South Africa, where other races and cultures were overpowered, exploited, dispossessed and repressed by a "superior" and "entitled" race and culture;
- Theocratic, pseudo-democratic Iran, overriding the people's will with the tyranny of a right-wing theocratic cabal - ultimately following Israel's nuclear program with one of their own;
- Authoritarian pseudo-democratic Russia, with its attempts at criminal annexation of lands to which it claims historic right, while labeling all their victims "anarchists," "terrorists," and "Nazis";
- Nazi Germany, where one democratically-elected, bigoted, ruthless, corrupt leader turned to the most vicious right-wing factions to ensure his permanent hold on power at the cost of the rights of minorities - while gutting the institutions of civil government, pursuing "Lebensraum" (living space) for the greedy majority, and violently acting in contemptuous defiance of international law.
Where Israel is not headed is toward the path of The United States of America, where the rule of law governs under the guiding protection of a firmly independent judiciary.
A nation where Democracy and Civilization are balanced together on the twin pillars of majority rule and minority rights - where transient elected politicians are balanced by permanent independent courts.
Where once Israel was the Middle East's shining beacon of liberty and democracy, it is now becoming just another authoritarian state in the region – precariously joining militancy and theocracy, while rejecting constitutional principles and moral integrity.
How much longer can Americans tolerate Israel's growing repudiation of American values? Of the rule of law, civil rights, and the checks-and-balances of a civil society?
For now, all we see is a disintegrating nation - foolishly without a written Constitution or Bill of Rights, and disposing of its independent courts - drifting toward the very bigotry, tribalism, corruption and totalitarianism that we, in America, are fighting to hold back around the world.
Is Israel, our longtime friend, slowly joining the ranks of our rivals by pushing such a divisive legislation? Time will tell.
Richard Harris is an American historian, former civil rights commissioner, minor elected official, and journalist from the city of Wichita, the United States