Israel and the United States have sealed a $38 billion 10-year deal for defense aid, to run from 2019 to 2028.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced Tuesday night that the memorandum of understanding on security assistance was concluded between the two nations.
“This MOU constitutes the largest pledge of assistance in U.S. history,” he said in a tweet on the Twitter social networking site. “The new MOU will be signed tomorrow in a ceremony at the @StateDept.”
This MOU constitutes the largest pledge of assistance in U.S. history.
The new MOU will be signed tomorrow in a ceremony at the @StateDept.— PM of Israel (@IsraeliPM) September 13, 2016
In return for the $3.8 billion in annual military funding, Israel will eventually be required to use the money to buy exclusively American defense products, according to The Hill. In addition, Israel agreed not to request additional funds.
Two days ago, Netanyahu noted in opening remarks to the weekly government cabinet meeting, “We mark 15 years since the terrorist attacks on 9/11. We remember the victims. We embrace their loved ones.
“We stand with our greatest ally, the USA, and with other partners in the battle against militant Islamic terrorism.”
Both American presidential candidates in the race to enter the White House next January face a far more uncertain military future than that which faced incumbent President Barack Obama when he took office eight years ago.
The Mideast has changed radically since that time, with the region more unstable and extremist ideologies driving more underlying issues in local societies than ever seen before.