The bond between the United States and Israel is a cornerstone of U.S. foreign policy in the Middle East, characterized by substantial security assistance. This support is rooted in a complex interplay of geopolitical strategy, shared democratic values, and mutual security interests. For decades, the U.S. has been a steadfast ally, providing Israel with significant military aid to bolster its defense capabilities and, in turn, strengthen America’s position in a volatile region. This commitment has been particularly highlighted in times of crisis, such as the recent attacks by Hamas and escalating threats from Iran and its proxies.
On October 7th, Hamas launched a brutal assault, resulting in the tragic deaths of over 1,200 people, predominantly civilians, and the abduction of 240 individuals, alongside a barrage of rocket fire. Adding to regional tensions, Iran directly attacked Israel for the first time in April, underscoring the multifaceted threats Israel faces.
This raises critical questions: What is the extent of U.S. aid to Israel? What underpins this enduring commitment? How does this support align with U.S. interests, and are there mechanisms in place to ensure responsible use of American arms? This article delves into these questions, providing a comprehensive overview of U.S. support for Israel and its strategic implications.
U.S. Military Aid to Israel Since October 7th: Aiding Defense Against Escalating Threats
Since the October 7th Hamas attacks, U.S. aid has been instrumental in reinforcing Israel’s defense against growing threats emanating from Iran and its network of terror proxies. This support became especially crucial during the unprecedented Iranian ballistic missile strikes in April 2024. The U.S. response has been robust, demonstrating a deep strategic partnership and unwavering support during Israel’s ongoing conflicts with Hamas, Hezbollah, and the Houthis, all backed by Iran.
Key components of U.S. aid since October 7th 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 to Israel, accompanied by 100 troops. This deployment is designed to intercept ballistic missile attacks from Iran and its proxies, enhancing Israel’s missile defense architecture. THAAD complements existing systems like the Patriot missile system, offering broader coverage and advanced interception capabilities.
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Emergency Aid and Wartime Procurement: The U.S. has swiftly moved to provide substantial financial aid packages to Israel:
- In September 2024, an $8.7 billion aid package was secured, earmarking $3.5 billion for urgent wartime procurement and $5.2 billion to bolster air defense systems, including the Iron Dome and David’s Sling.
- In April 2024, Congress approved a significant $14.3 billion in emergency military assistance, alongside $9.2 billion for humanitarian aid, which included provisions for civilians in Gaza.
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Temporary Pause and Subsequent Approval of Munitions Transfer: In May 2024, the Biden administration temporarily paused certain heavy munitions shipments, pending concerns about Israel’s operational plans in Rafah and the humanitarian situation for displaced Palestinians. This pause reflected a balancing act between supporting Israel’s security needs and upholding humanitarian principles. Ultimately, the munitions transfer was approved, reaffirming U.S. commitment.
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Proposed $8 Billion Arms Sale: Looking ahead, in January 2025, the U.S. State Department notified Congress of a proposed $8 billion arms sale to Israel. While some weaponry could be drawn from existing U.S. stockpiles for quicker delivery, the majority of the package, which includes medium-range air-to-air missiles, 155 mm artillery shells, Hellfire AGM-114 missiles, and 500-pound bombs, is expected to be delivered over several years due to production timelines.
U.S. Interests Served Globally: The Broader Context of Security Assistance
U.S. security assistance to Israel is part of a larger global strategy. The U.S. has long been a leading provider of military funding, training, equipment, and weaponry to allied nations worldwide. In 2023, the U.S. disbursed over $7 billion in military aid globally, including to key partners like Egypt, South Korea, and Ukraine. Notably, aid to Israel constitutes a small fraction of the overall U.S. federal budget, accounting for less than 1%.
This global security assistance is driven by core U.S. national security objectives. These include combating terrorism, countering authoritarian regimes, addressing drug trafficking, and maintaining regional stability. U.S. aid is strategically deployed to advance these interests across the globe.
Why U.S. Aid is Critical to Israel’s Security: A Bulwark Against Persistent Threats
U.S. aid is not merely about financial assistance; it’s a lifeline that helps ensure Israel’s survival in a region fraught with threats. Israel faces persistent hostility from state and non-state actors committed to its destruction. American support, both political and financial, has been crucial in safeguarding Israel’s existence. Today, the majority of U.S. aid to Israel is specifically directed towards bolstering its defense capabilities against adversaries such as Iran and its terror proxies, Hamas and Hezbollah.
The current Memorandum of Understanding (MOU), initially negotiated under President Obama, exemplifies this commitment, pledging an unprecedented $500 million annually for missile defense funding. This includes 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 vital because anti-Israel terror groups, particularly Hezbollah in Lebanon and Hamas and Islamic Jihad in Gaza, have launched tens of thousands of rockets into Israel over the past two decades. This relentless threat places Israel in a perpetual state of defense.
Iron Dome’s proven capability to intercept up to 90 percent of incoming projectiles has significantly reduced casualties and damage from these attacks. Its ability to discern threat levels and neutralize rockets targeting populated areas is critical in mitigating the impact of attacks by Iran and its proxies.
Since the October 7th attack alone, Israeli civilians have been targeted by tens of thousands of rockets from Gaza. Simultaneously, Hezbollah has launched attacks from the north, the Houthis from Yemen, and Iran itself has directly attacked Israel twice, illustrating the multi-front nature of the threats Israel faces.
To assist Israel in defending against this unprecedented wave of terror, the U.S. Congress approved over $14 billion in aid. A significant portion, $10.6 billion, was channeled through the Defense Department to enhance air and missile defense capabilities, invest in industrial base capacity, and replenish stockpiles of crucial air defense missile systems. The aid package also included $3.7 billion allocated to the State Department to further strengthen Israel’s defense and enhance security at the U.S. Embassy in Jerusalem.
The scale and nature of the October 7th terrorist attack prompted a shift in U.S. military aid, incorporating offensive weaponry to support Israel’s efforts to dismantle Hamas terrorist infrastructure in Gaza.
U.S. Interests in Supporting Israel: A Strategic Alliance in a Turbulent Region
U.S. security assistance to Israel is not solely an act of altruism; it is a strategic investment that directly serves U.S. interests in the Middle East. Israel stands as America’s only stable democratic ally in a region characterized by volatility and authoritarianism.
Israel, alongside key regional partners like Egypt, Jordan, and the Gulf States, serves as a crucial U.S. military ally in countering the destabilizing influence of Iran-backed terror groups and proxies. This alignment of interests strengthens regional security and stability, which are vital for U.S. foreign policy objectives.
Furthermore, the U.S. and Israel maintain deep and long-standing intelligence cooperation. This collaboration involves sharing critical information on mutual security threats, joint technology development, and coordinated counterterrorism efforts. This intelligence partnership enhances the security of both nations.
A significant portion of U.S. aid to Israel, approximately three-quarters, is directed towards the procurement of advanced weaponry and defense equipment manufactured in the United States. While some technology is co-developed with Israel, the financial investment largely returns to the U.S. economy through defense contracts.
For instance, the Iron Dome system, while an Israeli invention, is co-produced in America and has become an integral part of the U.S. Army’s defense system. This exemplifies how U.S. financial support, combined with Israeli innovation, enhances American security capabilities and benefits the U.S. defense industry.
Economically, U.S. aid to Israel is an investment in American jobs. It directly supports over 20,000 jobs in the U.S. and indirectly sustains thousands more. Over 1,000 U.S. companies have secured contracts worth billions of dollars through America’s commitment to Israel’s defense, boosting the U.S. economy.
From a strategic perspective, equipping Israel with American weapons to combat terrorism reduces the need for direct U.S. military intervention, sparing American lives. This echoes the observation made by former Secretary of State and U.S. Army General Alexander Haig decades ago, who 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.”
President Biden, during his tenure as a U.S. Senator, underscored the strategic importance of Israel, 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 Numbers in Perspective
It’s important to contextualize the scale of U.S. aid to Israel. The annual support, amounting to $12.5 billion, represents a minuscule fraction of the U.S. federal budget, less than 0.00001%. In the context of U.S. foreign aid spending, assistance to Israel accounted for approximately five percent last year.
Congress annually reviews and approves aid to Israel with strong bipartisan support, operating under the framework of the 2016 Memorandum of Understanding (MOU).
The 2016 MOU, established during the Obama administration, commits $3.8 billion in annual aid to Israel, making it the largest bilateral aid agreement between the U.S. and Israel. This agreement builds upon similar commitments made by previous administrations, solidifying a long-term pattern of U.S. support.
The emergency supplemental funding bill passed in April 2024, which included over $14 billion for Israel, is an addition to this annual commitment, intended to help Israel replenish its air defense systems and address immediate defense needs in response to escalating threats.
Ensuring Responsible Use of U.S. Weapons: Human Rights and the Leahy Law
Concerns are sometimes raised regarding the use of U.S. weapons and potential human rights violations. Critics have called for conditioning U.S. aid to Israel based on human rights considerations. However, all U.S. security aid, including that provided to Israel, is already subject to stringent conditions and oversight to prevent misuse and ensure adherence to human rights standards.
The Leahy Law, a series of provisions in U.S. foreign assistance legislation, mandates that the U.S. government must vet foreign security forces receiving U.S. military assistance for gross human rights violations. This law applies to over 100 countries receiving U.S. military aid, including Israel.
Named after Senator Patrick Leahy of Vermont, the Leahy Law prohibits the U.S. State and Defense Departments from providing military assistance to foreign military units credibly implicated in gross violations of human rights. This vetting process is designed to prevent U.S. assistance from inadvertently supporting human rights abuses.
The Leahy Law stipulates that when credible evidence of human rights violations surfaces, the U.S. government is obligated to withhold assistance until the allegations are properly addressed and appropriate corrective action is taken. While stringent, the law also incorporates flexibility to safeguard U.S. interests and advance foreign policy objectives.
Furthermore, the U.S. State Department issued a report in May assessing Israel’s conduct in the recent conflict. This report, known as National Security Memorandum 20, while critical of certain aspects of Israel’s actions in Gaza, concluded that Israel’s use of U.S.-made weapons was generally consistent with international law, and that U.S. security aid to Israel could continue under existing conditions. This ongoing scrutiny and adherence to the Leahy Law underscore the mechanisms in place to ensure the responsible use of U.S. security assistance.
