A resurfaced memo from President Ronald Reagan on August 18, 1982, calling Israel’s bombing of Beirut a “holocaust.”
This has sparked renewed U.S.-Israel tensions controversy as of May 27, 2025, following a post by journalist Glenn Greenwald.
Specifically, Reagan wrote,
“I told him it must come to an end, or our entire future relationship would be in jeopardy. I used the word holocaust intentionally and stated that the emblem of his war was turning into an image of a 7-month-old baby with its arms blown off.”
This revelation, showcasing Reagan’s discontent with Israel’s conduct during the 1982 Lebanon War, intensifies the U.S.-Israel tensions controversy concerning foreign policy decisions. Read Greenwald’s post.
The last two U.S. presidents who imposed any substantial restraints on Israel’s wartime fervor were Reagan and Bush 41. This ceased when Bill Clinton spearheaded efforts to defame Bush 41 officials as anti-Semites for attempting to do so.
Read Reagan’s memo, calling Israel’s bombing of Lebanon a “holocaust”: https://t.co/wQdcWyRCC5
— Glenn Greenwald (@ggreenwald) May 27, 2025
Reagan’s Diplomatic Push and Context
Reagan’s memo came during Israel’s Siege of Beirut, part of Operation Peace for Galilee, which resulted in up to 17,000 deaths. Moreover, his diplomatic efforts, led by envoy Philip Habib, secured a ceasefire on August 21, 1982, after Reagan demanded Israel halt its advance.
The U.S.-Israel tensions intensified later with the Sabra and Shatila massacre in September 1982, where Phalangist militias killed between 460 and 3,500 Palestinian refugees under Israeli oversight.
This historical context underscores Reagan’s rare criticism of Israel, a stance not often seen in later U.S. administrations. Explore the Sabra and Shatila massacre.
Implications and Historical Shift
The memo’s resurfacing has sparked backlash from pro-Israel groups, who argue Reagan’s language was inflammatory, while America-first voices praise his willingness to challenge Israel’s actions.
However, the U.S.-Israel tensions controversy also highlights a shift in U.S. policy, as the Clinton administration later labeled criticism of Israel as anti-Semitic.
Reagan’s suspension of arms shipments to Israel for two months in 1982, a move not repeated until Biden’s partial pause in 2024, reflects a historical willingness to prioritize American interests.
President Reagan’s memo demands a reevaluation of U.S. foreign policy alignments.
