Amid ongoing discussions about the U.S.-Israel alliance, including recent commentary referencing questions raised by media personality Tucker Carlson about the benefits the United States derives from its relationship with Israel, a new interview highlights the extensive technological and humanitarian contributions Israel provides. Gedaliah Blum, Director of The Heartland Initiative in Israel, sat down for an interview with Alan Skorski. In a social media post on December 22, 2025, Blum addressed Carlson’s recurring question — “What exactly does the United States get from Israel?” — by quickly listing more than 25 Israeli innovations that directly benefit the U.S. and its allies. These include advancements in aviation safety, missile defense systems protecting American bases, IED detection technology safeguarding U.S. soldiers in combat zones, battlefield medicine now standard in American emergency rooms, and enhanced airport security protocols used worldwide. During the conversation, Skorski expanded on this list, emphasizing Israel’s role as a hub of innovation despite its small size and challenging security environment. Israel has pioneered several key technologies widely adopted in the U.S. and globally: The USB flash drive (originally known as Disk-on-Key), revolutionizing portable data storage. Waze, the real-time GPS navigation app acquired by Google and used by millions for traffic updates and efficient routing. Mobileye, providing advanced driver-assistance systems (ADAS) that enhance vehicle safety and serve as a foundation for autonomous driving technologies. ICQ, one of the earliest popular instant messaging platforms. Significant contributions to Intel processors through R&D by Israeli teams. Medical & Health Innovations Israeli developments have transformed diagnostics and treatment: PillCam (from Given Imaging), a swallowable camera capsule enabling non-invasive internal imaging for gastrointestinal diagnostics. Babysense infant breathing monitors for enhanced child safety. ReWalk bionic exoskeletons assisting individuals with lower-limb paralysis to regain mobility. Agriculture, Water & Other Fields In agriculture and resource management, Israel leads with drip irrigation systems from Netafim, which optimize water use in arid regions; the development of longer-lasting, sweeter cherry tomatoes; and advanced water desalination and purification technologies. Defense & Security Contributions Defense innovations include the Iron Dome missile defense system, advanced UAVs (drones), and cutting-edge cybersecurity solutions that bolster U.S. national security interests. These advancements “barely scratch the surface” of the mutual benefits in the U.S.-Israel partnership, Skorski noted, with many technologies co-developed or shared through joint efforts. Humanitarian Leadership Exemplified in Haiti Beyond technology, Israel’s contributions extend to global humanitarian aid. A prominent example is the rapid response to the devastating January 2010 earthquake in Haiti. As detailed in a 2010 report in the New England Journal of Medicine, within 48 hours of the quake striking Port-au-Prince, Israel deployed a 230-person military task force — including 109 support and rescue personnel from the IDF Home Front Command and 121 medical staff from the IDF Medical Corps Field Hospital. The team arrived 15 hours after departing Tel Aviv and immediately began operations. In just 10 days, the field hospital treated over 1,100 patients. 16 babies were delivered in the hospital. IDF search and rescue forces assisted in rescuing or aiding 4 individuals. The swift deployment and high-impact care underscored Israel’s commitment to international disaster relief, often arriving among the first responders in crises worldwide. -VIN News Alan Skorski Reports 21JAN2026 - PODCAST
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