The United States and Israel on Wednesday signed a crucial deal under which Washington will give Israel $38 billion in military assistance over the next decade, the largest military aid package in U.S. history.
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As Reuters reports, “the agreement triggered pushback from pro-Palestinian groups, who said the US shouldn’t reward Israel with unprecedented aid despite its settlement-building in the disputed West Bank”.
According to the White House, since President Barack Obama took office in 2009, the USA has provided Israel with more than $23.5 billion in military assistance.
Despite past tensions between U.S. President, Barack Obama, and Israeli Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, over countries such as Palestine and Iran, the two leaders have come to terms with a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU).
It’s important to remember that this aid largely benefits the US defense industry and the Israeli occupation, but not the average Israeli.
Obama issued a statement following the signing ceremony characterizing it as “the most recent reflection of my steadfast commitment to the security” of Israel.
“This is the single largest pledge of military assistance-to any country-in American history”, Rice said. “It’s a reminder of the United States’ unshakable commitment to Israel’s security”, said U.S. National Security Adviser Susan Rice.
“Bravo to the Administration for achieving this path-breaking agreement with Israel”, AJC CEO David Harris said.
“We believe that this assistance is not only a critical investment in Israel’s security but also an investment in regional stability and…for the United States and its citizens”, he added.
But the Obama administration was eager to lock in the agreement before leaving office to help bolster Obama’s legacy and undercut the criticism that his administration was insufficiently supportive of Israel.
Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., a critic of the memorandum of understanding (MOU) between the two allies, called it important but slammed a provision that would limit Israel from seeking additional funds from the US except in times of war.
Graham also said give Israel more money would be a great way to “send a signal to the ayatollahs” in Iran, and that whenever the Iranian government does something the United States doesn’t like they should expect more money to be sent to Israel.
Al Jazeera’s Patty Culhane, reporting from Washington DC, said that the annual $3.8bn figure did not mark a big change “compared to what Israel was getting in 2015 or 2016”.
Israel relies heavily on U.S. defense aid.
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But officials from both sides were keen to stress the enduring bond between the countries and the central role the military alliance plays in securing Israel’s people in an unstable Middle East region.
