>> Max Fisher, The New York Times Published: 25 May 2021 02:45 PM BdST Updated: 25 May 2021 02:45 PM BdST Israeli ground forces at the Gaza Border on May 16, 2021. The New York Times Israel, a small country surrounded by adversaries and locked in conflict with the Palestinians, depends absolutely on US diplomatic and military support. By giving it, the United States safeguards Israel and wields significant leverage over its actions. "); } That’s the conventional wisdom, anyway. For decades, it was true: Israeli leaders and voters alike treated Washington as essential to their country’s survival. But that dependence may be ending. While Israel still benefits greatly from US assistance, security experts and political analysts say that the country has quietly cultivated, and may have achieved, effective autonomy from the United States.