The US will provide Israel a military aid package of $38 million over 10years, on Wednesday. The arrangement marks the second time under Obama’s presidency that the US’ provision of military aid to Israel will break records.
The deal represents an increase in aid to $3.8 billion from the $3.1 billion per year that is currently in place under a deal due to expire in 2018. The Israeli government had previously sought $4.5 billion in earlier negotiations.
During his first term the Obama administration provided Israeli with a deal comprising $60 in military aid. All this despite the fact that the relationship between Obama and Israel’s right wing government, led by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, is recognised as one of the most fractious and hostile of any between the two governments.
The terms of the deal ensure that the Israeli government is not permitted to seek further funds from the US congress while it is in effect. Importantly, this deal also challenges the special terms previously granted to the Israeli government that allowed it to use US military aid to by equipment from its own domestic suppliers.
From now on Israel will be forced to purchase materiel on the same terms as other recipients of US military aid.
The deal, officially a memorandum of understanding, will include money earmarked for missile defence for the first time. In various statements on the status of Israel and its occupation of the Palestinians Obama
has sited missile defence as a prerequisite for negotiations.
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