The United States has been a steadfast supporter of Israel since its founding in 1948, providing substantial financial assistance over the decades. This aid reflects a deep commitment to Israel’s security and shared foreign policy interests in a strategically vital region. This article delves into the history and current state of U.S. aid to Israel, examining how much has been sent, how it’s used, and the surrounding political context.
A History of Financial Support
Since its inception, Israel has been the largest cumulative recipient of U.S. foreign aid, totaling approximately $310 billion (inflation-adjusted) in economic and military assistance. While the U.S. has also provided aid to other Middle Eastern nations like Egypt and Iraq, the scale and longevity of aid to Israel are unique. Initially encompassing substantial economic support, current aid is almost exclusively focused on bolstering Israel’s military capabilities, considered the most advanced in the region.
Current Levels of Military Aid
A memorandum of understanding (MOU) currently commits the U.S. to providing Israel with $3.8 billion annually through 2028. However, recent conflicts have led to significant supplemental appropriations. Since the start of the Israel-Hamas war in October 2023, Congress has approved at least $12.5 billion in direct military aid. This includes $3.8 billion authorized in March 2024, consistent with the MOU, and an additional $8.7 billion in supplemental funding approved in April 2024. Some analysts estimate even higher figures, reaching $17.9 billion, when factoring in the cost of replenishing U.S. weapon stockpiles provided to Israel.
How Israel Utilizes U.S. Aid
The majority of the aid, around $3.3 billion annually, is disbursed through the Foreign Military Financing (FMF) program. These grants mandate the purchase of U.S. military equipment and services. As of October 2023, Israel had nearly 600 active FMF cases, amounting to roughly $24 billion. Historically, Israel enjoyed the unique privilege of using a portion of FMF funds to procure equipment from domestic defense firms. This practice is slated for gradual phase-out in the coming years. U.S. aid is estimated to contribute approximately 15 percent of Israel’s defense budget. Beyond FMF, Israel also engages in direct purchases of U.S. military products.
An additional $500 million per year is allocated to joint U.S.-Israeli missile defense programs. This collaborative effort focuses on research, development, and production of systems like Iron Dome, David’s Sling, and Arrow II. While Iron Dome was solely developed by Israel, the U.S. has been a production partner since 2014, with companies like Raytheon manufacturing interceptor missiles.
Conditions and Restrictions on Aid
While generally unrestricted, the transfer of military equipment to Israel is subject to U.S. and international laws. Significant arms sales require Congressional notification and a review period, though Congress has never blocked a sale to Israel. The President can expedite the process by invoking national security emergencies, as President Biden has done for both Israel and Ukraine. Smaller transactions fall below the threshold requiring Congressional review.
The Leahy Law prohibits security assistance to entities engaging in gross human rights violations. The Biden administration further stipulated in 2023 that arms would not be provided to recipients likely to commit such violations. The application of the Leahy Law concerning Israel has drawn criticism from some legal scholars and critics.
All U.S. military aid is subject to agreed-upon terms, requiring recipient compliance and U.S. government monitoring of end-use. Historical precedents exist for restricting aid based on usage, such as the Reagan administration’s ban on cluster munitions transfers to Israel in the 1980s.
While Israel has agreed to utilize U.S. weapons for self-defense, the Biden administration initially imposed no further limitations after the October 2023 Hamas attack. However, by February 2024, a new requirement mandated written assurances from aid recipients regarding adherence to international law and facilitation of U.S. humanitarian assistance. A subsequent report in May 2024 assessed that Israel’s use of U.S. weapons had been inconsistent with international humanitarian law obligations, leading to a pause on certain bomb shipments.
Military Aid Post-October 7 Attacks
Since the October 7 attacks, the flow of U.S. military aid to Israel has intensified, with over 100 reported transfers, though only a few publicly disclosed due to Congressional review thresholds. This aid has drawn from a strategic stockpile maintained in Israel since the 1980s and included ammunition, bombs, rockets, and small arms. Potential future sales, exceeding $18 billion, are under consideration, encompassing items like F-15 fighter aircraft. Israel is also procuring advanced technologies, such as surveillance drones, directly from U.S. manufacturers.
Qualitative Military Edge (QME)
The concept of Qualitative Military Edge (QME), formalized in U.S. law in 2008, mandates maintaining Israel’s ability to decisively defeat any credible conventional military threat with minimal damage. Rooted in Cold War-era military planning, QME ensures Israel receives preferential access to advanced U.S. weaponry, like the F-35 stealth fighter. It also requires the U.S. to consider Israel’s QME when providing arms to other Middle Eastern countries, often necessitating offsetting weaponry for Israel in regional arms sales.
Growing Scrutiny of Aid
Despite initial widespread support for Israel following the Hamas attack, mounting civilian casualties in Gaza and the ensuing humanitarian crisis have fueled growing international concern. This shift is reflected in public opinion, with increasing scrutiny of Israel’s actions and the role of U.S. military aid. Criticisms have been leveled at Israel’s military tactics and alleged obstruction of humanitarian aid. The International Criminal Court (ICC) has even charged both Hamas and Israeli leaders with war crimes and crimes against humanity, further intensifying the debate.
This heightened scrutiny extends to the U.S., with divided public opinion on military aid to Israel, particularly among younger demographics. While President Biden remains a staunch supporter of Israel’s self-defense, he and some members of Congress have expressed criticism of Israel’s conduct in the war and postwar planning for Gaza. Some lawmakers have advocated for conditioning or blocking aid, reflecting the evolving political landscape.
The Future of U.S. Aid to Israel
The debate surrounding U.S. aid to Israel continues to evolve, encompassing diverse perspectives. Critics argue that aid should be reevaluated given Israel’s economic prosperity and advanced military capabilities, asserting that aid distorts the bilateral relationship and potentially weakens Israel’s defense industry.
Conversely, proponents maintain that aid fosters crucial collaboration between the two nations’ defense sectors, strengthens shared security interests against regional threats like Iran, and represents a vital investment in U.S. national security.
The future of U.S. aid to Israel remains uncertain, contingent on evolving geopolitical dynamics, the trajectory of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, and shifting public and political discourse in both countries. The ongoing debate reflects a complex interplay of historical ties, strategic considerations, humanitarian concerns, and fundamental questions about the nature and purpose of U.S. foreign policy in the Middle East.
