USA and Israeli diplomats announced the largest military assistance package in United States history on 14 September in a $38 billion, 10-year package that will deliver an assortment of American-designed weapon systems, including Lockheed Martin F-35 and Boeing F-15 fighters to Tel Aviv.
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Israel’s acting national security advisor Jacob Nagel and US Under Secretary of State Tom Shannon signed the deal at the State Department, bringing to an end months of wrangling over the details of the package.
“Today, we’re making another unprecedented commitment to the security of Israel and the Israeli people”, National Security Adviser and ambassador Susan Rice said in a statement.
Mr Nagel hailed the agreement as an indication of the “rock-solid alliance” between Israel and the US.
Rice said it is a reminder of the US’ unshakeable commitment to Israel’s security.
The agreement, which takes effect on 1 October 2018, pledges $38 billion to Israel over the next decade, including $33 billion in foreign military financing funds and $5 billion for missile defense, United States national security advisor Susan Rice said.
The agreement concludes many months of negotiations that involved a delicate calculation by Israel about whether to strike a deal with the outgoing US president.
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According to the White House, since President Barack Obama took office in 2009, the US has provided Israel with more than $23.5 billion in military assistance.
He said the deal is expected to help Israel build its military power, focusing on anti-missile defense abilities. “We are proud that no other administration has done so much to enhance Israel’s security”.
This deal is the largest deal which United States has ever done with any country.
She said the agreements makes clear that the U.S. “will always be there for the state of Israel and its people today, tomorrow and for generations to come”. Under the previous arrangement, Congress approved funds for missile defence separately and on an annual basis.
The decade-long deal will grant $3.8 billion annually in funding – a seemingly significant increase from prior agreements of $3.1 billion but with a guarantee the Israeli government will no longer be able to seek additional funds from the U.S. Congress directly. The payouts according to deal will begin in year 2019 and USA will fund $3.8 billion every year.
“We’re nearly the same as where we are right now”, said Jonathan Schanzer, former U.S. counter-terrorism analyst and vice-president of Washington think tank the Foundation for the Defense of Democracies.
It will eventually require all MOU funds to contribute to American military industries.
The financial pledge reaffirms American support of Israel despite some recent public spats between the allies over various issues, like last year’s landmark nuclear agreement with Iran – which drew staunch opposition from Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu.
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The new US-Israel deal also includes, for the first time, funding for missile defence programmes.
