Netanyahu Thanks US for its ‘Unreserved’ Commitment to Israel’s Security

“The unreserved US support for Israel’s right to defend itself is among the pillars of the strong bond between the two countries,” Netanyahu stated. 

By: United with Israel Staff

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu thanked the US government and Congress for the historic 10-year Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the US and Israel on security assistance to the Jewish state which went into effect on Tuesday.

“I thank the American administration and Congress for their commitment to Israel and also for the American financial assistance in the coming decade,” Netanyahu stated.

“Israel and the world face complex security challenges, especially Iranian aggression. The unreserved US support for Israel’s right to defend itself is among the pillars of the strong bond between the two countries,” he added.

The MOU, signed in September 2016, guarantees Israel $38 billion in security aid over the coming decade. It totals approximately $3.8 billion a year — up from the $3.1 billion the US gave Israel annually under the previous 10-year security assistance deal. Some $3.3 billion will go to Foreign Military Financing and $500 million for cooperative programs for missile defense.

This is the largest military assistance package that the United States has ever given to any country.

‘Concrete Demonstration’ of US Commitment to Israel

US State Department Spokesperson Heather Nauert stated Tuesday that the aid consists of “a significant increase enabling Israel to acquire additional advanced military capabilities from the United States that will, over time, enhance Israel’s security and strengthen our bilateral relationship.”

The “implementation of this historic MOU reflects the enduring and unshakable commitment of the President, this Administration, and the American people to Israel’s security,” she underscored.

Annual security assistance to Israel is the most tangible manifestation of American support for the Jewish state.

Similar to Netanyahu’s sentiments, she stated that “Israel is a valuable and capable ally to the United States that today faces dangerously escalating regional threats, first and foremost from the Iranian regime’s sponsorship of terrorist groups seeking to attack not only Israel but also American interests.”

“Israel is also threatened by the reckless proliferation of destabilizing weapons systems into the region that increase the possibility of an escalated conflict in an already dangerous and volatile theater. The United States unconditionally affirms Israel’s right to self-defense, and this MOU is a concrete demonstration of our commitment to Israel’s capacity to defend itself with a qualitative military edge over all potential regional adversaries,” she concluded.