Allowing a friend to careen toward self destruction is not friendship. That is a habit the United States needs to break as it pursues a richer and more deeply supportive relationship with Israel.

Stephen Kinzer’s quote highlights the idea that true friendship involves looking out for the well-being of those you care about, rather than allowing them to harm themselves. He uses this metaphor to suggest that the United States should not passively support Israel if it is heading toward self-destructive actions or policies. For Kinzer, friendship and international relations should be built on mutual support and the responsibility to help one another avoid harmful paths.

The quote emphasizes that enabling destructive behavior is not an act of friendship. Instead, real friendship requires honesty and guidance, particularly when a person or nation is making harmful decisions. Kinzer believes that the U.S. must adopt a more critical and supportive role in its relationship with Israel, one that encourages constructive actions rather than blindly endorsing harmful policies.

Kinzer’s perspective on the U.S.-Israel relationship reflects his broader views on foreign policy and international diplomacy, where he advocates for nations to build relationships based on mutual benefit and accountability. His call for the U.S. to break the habit of enabling Israel’s self-destructive tendencies stems from his concern for the long-term impact of such policies, not just on Israel, but on the broader international community.

The origin of this quote is rooted in Kinzer's career as a journalist and author with extensive experience in international relations. His writings often focus on the complex dynamics of foreign alliances, and this quote is part of his critique of the way the U.S. has historically approached its relationship with Israel.