The United States’ security assistance to Israel serves a dual purpose: to strengthen a crucial ally’s defenses against persistent terrorist threats and to bolster U.S. geopolitical interests within a highly unstable region. This is particularly salient in Israel, a democratic nation in the Middle East that faces constant security challenges.
The brutal attacks launched by Hamas on October 7th underscored these challenges, resulting in the tragic deaths of over 1,200 individuals, the majority of whom were civilians, the abduction of 240 people, and the relentless firing of thousands of rockets into Israel. Further escalating tensions, in April 2024, Iran initiated its first direct military action against Israel.
These events raise critical questions about the extent and nature of U.S. aid to Israel, the long-term commitment to this support, and the broader implications for U.S. foreign policy. Furthermore, it’s important to understand how the U.S. ensures that military aid provided to any nation aligns with American values and objectives. Let’s delve into these key aspects.
U.S. Military Aid to Israel Since October 7th: A Detailed Overview
Since the harrowing events of October 7th, U.S. aid to Israel has been instrumental in reinforcing its defense capabilities amidst escalating threats from Iran and its network of proxy terrorist organizations. This support became even more critical in the face of unprecedented Iranian ballistic missile attacks on Israel in April and October 2024. The U.S. response has been comprehensive, reflecting a robust strategic partnership and unwavering support throughout Israel’s ongoing conflicts with Iranian-backed entities such as Hamas, Hezbollah, and the Houthis.
Key components of U.S. aid in this period include:
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Deployment of the THAAD System: In a significant move in October 2024, the U.S. deployed the Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) system along with 100 military personnel to Israel. This deployment was specifically aimed at enhancing Israel’s ability to intercept ballistic missile attacks originating from Iran and its proxies. The THAAD system significantly augments Israel’s existing missile defense infrastructure, which includes the Patriot missile system, providing broader and more advanced defensive capabilities.
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Emergency Aid and Wartime Procurement:
- In September 2024, the U.S. Congress approved a substantial $8.7 billion aid package for Israel. This package included $3.5 billion specifically allocated for wartime procurement, enabling Israel to rapidly acquire necessary military equipment and supplies. An additional $5.2 billion was earmarked for bolstering Israel’s air defense systems, such as the Iron Dome and David’s Sling, which are crucial for intercepting short-range and medium-range rockets and missiles.
- Building on this, in April 2024, Congress further approved a significant $14.3 billion in emergency military assistance. This funding was intended to address immediate defense needs and replenish stockpiles. Alongside military aid, the package also included $9.2 billion in humanitarian aid, recognizing the urgent needs of civilian populations affected by the conflict, including those in Gaza.
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Temporary Pause and Subsequent Approval of Heavy Munitions Transfer: In May 2024, the Biden administration temporarily paused the transfer of certain heavy munitions to Israel. This pause was linked to concerns regarding Israel’s operational plans in Rafah, a region in Gaza where a large number of displaced Palestinians were seeking refuge. This decision reflected a delicate balancing act between supporting Israel’s security needs and addressing humanitarian concerns arising from the conflict. Ultimately, the munitions transfer was later approved, signaling continued U.S. commitment to Israel’s defense while maintaining humanitarian considerations.
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Proposed $8 Billion Arms Sale: In January 2025, the U.S. State Department formally notified Congress of a proposed $8 billion arms sale to Israel. This proposed sale underscores the long-term nature of U.S. military support. While some components of this arms package could be drawn from existing U.S. military inventories for quicker delivery, the majority of the equipment would require a longer procurement and delivery timeline, potentially spanning several years. The comprehensive arms package is expected to include a range of advanced weaponry, such as medium-range air-to-air missiles to enhance aerial defense capabilities, 155 mm artillery shells for long-range strikes, Hellfire AGM-114 missiles, and 500-pound bombs, further strengthening Israel’s military arsenal across multiple domains.
U.S. Security Assistance Globally: Serving American Interests
The United States is a leading global provider of security assistance, offering substantial funding, training, military equipment, and weaponry to allied nations worldwide. In 2023 alone, the U.S. allocated over $7 billion in military aid to various countries, including key partners such as Israel, Egypt, South Korea, and Ukraine. It’s noteworthy that this significant sum represents less than 1% of the total U.S. federal budget, highlighting the relatively focused nature of this expenditure in the context of overall government spending.
The primary drivers behind U.S. security assistance are overarching national security objectives. These include combating terrorism, countering authoritarian regimes and potential adversaries, and disrupting international drug trafficking networks. By providing targeted security assistance, the U.S. aims to enhance the capabilities of its allies to address shared threats and contribute to regional and global stability, ultimately safeguarding American interests abroad.
Why U.S. Aid is Indispensable for Israel’s Security
Throughout its history, Israel has faced persistent threats from both state and non-state actors seeking to undermine its existence. However, these adversaries have consistently failed to dismantle the Jewish state or eradicate its population. The United States has played a critical role in ensuring Israel’s survival by providing consistent political, diplomatic, and financial support. Currently, the majority of U.S. aid to Israel is strategically focused on bolstering the nation’s defenses against immediate and evolving threats, particularly from Iran and its terrorist proxies, Hamas and Hezbollah.
The existing Memorandum of Understanding (MOU), originally negotiated during the Obama administration, exemplifies this commitment, pledging an unprecedented $500 million annually specifically for missile defense funding. This includes support for systems like Iron Dome, recognized as one of the world’s most effective air defense systems, David’s Sling, and Iron Beam. This investment is crucial given the continuous barrage of rocket attacks launched by anti-Israel terror groups, including Hezbollah in Lebanon and Hamas and Islamic Jihad in Gaza. Over the past two decades, these groups have launched tens of thousands of rockets into Israel, placing the country in a constant state of defensive preparedness.
Iron Dome’s proven capability to intercept up to 90 percent of incoming projectiles has been instrumental in mitigating casualties and damage from these attacks. Its sophisticated ability to detect incoming rockets, assess threat levels, and selectively intercept projectiles that pose a risk to populated areas and critical infrastructure has significantly reduced the death toll among Israeli civilians targeted by missile attacks from Iran and its affiliated terrorist groups.
Since the October 7th attacks, the intensity of rocket fire from Gaza has dramatically increased, with tens of thousands of rockets launched at Israeli civilian centers. Simultaneously, Israel has faced multi-front threats, including attacks from Hezbollah in the north, Houthi attacks originating from Yemen, and direct military actions from Iran itself.
In response to this unprecedented surge in threats, the U.S. Congress approved over $14 billion in emergency aid for Israel. A significant portion of this, $10.6 billion, was channeled through the Department of Defense, specifically to bolster air and missile defense capabilities, support critical industrial base investments, and replenish depleted stockpiles of essential air defense missile systems. The comprehensive aid package also included $3.7 billion allocated to the State Department to further strengthen Israel’s defense infrastructure and enhance security measures around the U.S. Embassy in Jerusalem, reflecting the multifaceted nature of U.S. support.
The October 7th terrorist attacks prompted a notable shift in the nature of U.S. military aid, expanding to include offensive weapons systems. This adjustment aims to empower Israel to effectively dismantle Hamas terrorist infrastructure within Gaza and address the root sources of ongoing attacks.
How U.S. Aid to Israel Serves American Interests
Security assistance to Israel is not merely an act of support for an ally; it is a strategic investment that directly advances U.S. interests in the complex and strategically vital Middle East region. Israel stands as America’s only consistently democratic ally in this area, making the partnership uniquely valuable.
Israel, alongside other key regional partners like Egypt, Jordan, and the Gulf States, is a crucial U.S. military ally in confronting the destabilizing influence of Iran and its network of terror proxies that operate throughout the region. These proxies pose a direct threat to regional stability and, by extension, to U.S. interests.
Furthermore, the U.S. and Israel maintain a long-standing and highly productive intelligence cooperation. This collaboration involves the sharing of critical information on mutual security threats, joint efforts in technology development, and coordinated strategies in areas such as counterterrorism. This deep level of cooperation enhances the security of both nations and strengthens their collective ability to address evolving threats.
Currently, a significant portion of U.S. aid to Israel – approximately three-quarters – is directed towards the procurement of advanced weaponry and defensive equipment. Crucially, much of this equipment is produced within the United States, contributing to the strength of the American defense industry and supporting domestic jobs. Moreover, a substantial amount of the underlying technology is co-developed by the U.S. and Israel, leveraging the innovative capabilities of both nations.
A prime example of this mutually beneficial collaboration is the Iron Dome system. While invented in Israel, its production is supported by U.S. financial and technological contributions. Iron Dome not only serves as a cornerstone of Israel’s defense but has also been integrated into the U.S. Army’s defense architecture, demonstrating how U.S. investment in Israeli security technology can directly enhance American security capabilities. This exemplifies how the synergy of U.S. financial support, defense technology, and Israeli ingenuity creates a force multiplier that strengthens American security.
The economic benefits of U.S. aid to Israel extend beyond security. This aid directly supports over 20,000 jobs in the United States and indirectly sustains thousands more across various sectors. Over 1,000 U.S. companies have secured contracts worth billions of dollars through America’s commitment to assisting Israel in defending itself against growing threats. This economic dimension underscores the mutually beneficial nature of the U.S.-Israel security relationship.
From a strategic perspective, arming Israel with American-made weaponry to combat terrorism effectively serves to protect U.S. personnel and interests by reducing the need for direct American military intervention in the region. This strategic logic was succinctly captured by former U.S. Secretary of State and Army General Alexander Haig 35 years ago, who famously described Israel as “the largest American aircraft carrier in the world that cannot be sunk, does not carry even one American soldier, and is located in a critical region for American national security.”
Reinforcing this perspective, President Biden, during his tenure as a U.S. Senator, emphasized the strategic importance of Israel as a democratic ally, stating, “Were there not an Israel, the United States of America would have to invent an Israel to protect her interest in the [Middle East].”
The Scale of U.S. Aid to Israel: Putting it in Perspective
It’s crucial to understand the scale of U.S. aid to Israel within the broader context of U.S. federal spending and foreign aid allocations. While the annual figure of $3.8 billion (as per the 2016 MOU) might seem substantial, it represents less than 0.00001% of total U.S. federal spending. In the context of U.S. foreign aid, assistance to Israel accounted for approximately five percent of America’s overall foreign aid expenditure in the previous year.
Congress plays a vital role in reviewing and approving aid to Israel annually. This process consistently garners overwhelming bipartisan support, reflecting a broad consensus across the political spectrum regarding the strategic importance of the U.S.-Israel relationship. The current framework for aid is defined by the 2016 Memorandum of Understanding (MOU).
The 2016 MOU, a landmark agreement negotiated by President Obama’s administration, formalized the commitment of $3.8 billion in annual aid to Israel. This represents the largest such agreement ever established between the U.S. and Israel and builds upon similar long-term commitments initiated by the Clinton and George W. Bush administrations, demonstrating the enduring nature of this strategic partnership across different presidential administrations.
Most recently, an emergency supplemental funding bill passed in April 2024 further augmented U.S. aid to Israel, allocating over $14 billion to assist Israel in replenishing its air defense systems and addressing other urgent defense requirements in the face of escalating regional threats.
Ensuring Responsible Use of U.S. Weapons: Human Rights Oversight
Critics of U.S. aid to Israel have increasingly advocated for conditioning this assistance based on human rights considerations. However, it’s essential to recognize that all U.S. security aid, including that provided to Israel, is automatically subject to stringent conditions and oversight mechanisms regarding its use. The Leahy Law, a series of provisions embedded within U.S. foreign assistance legislation, mandates that the U.S. Departments of State and Defense must not provide military assistance to foreign military units or individuals credibly implicated in gross violations of human rights. This law applies to all recipients of U.S. military aid, including Israel, which is among over 100 countries receiving such assistance.
Named after Senator Patrick Leahy of Vermont, the Leahy Law requires the U.S. government to proactively vet foreign security forces and individuals for potential human rights violations before providing them with any form of assistance or training. This rigorous vetting process aims to prevent U.S. aid from inadvertently supporting individuals or groups involved in human rights abuses.
The Leahy Law explicitly stipulates that when credible evidence of human rights violations surfaces, the U.S. government is legally obligated to withhold assistance until the allegations are thoroughly investigated, the wrongdoing is appropriately addressed, and corrective action is demonstrably taken. While maintaining a firm stance against human rights abuses, the law also incorporates necessary flexibility to safeguard core U.S. interests and advance overarching foreign policy objectives, recognizing the complexities of international relations and security partnerships.
Further demonstrating ongoing oversight, the U.S. State Department released a report in May 2024 assessing Israel’s conduct during the conflict in Gaza, known as National Security Memorandum 20. While the report raised concerns and criticisms regarding certain aspects of Israel’s actions in Gaza, its overall conclusion was that Israel’s use of U.S.-made weapons was generally consistent with international law. Consequently, the report affirmed that continued U.S. security aid to Israel was justifiable under existing legal and policy frameworks, while underscoring the importance of ongoing monitoring and adherence to international legal standards.
