{"id":56214,"date":"2023-01-30T12:21:48","date_gmt":"2023-01-30T20:21:48","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lapost.us\/?p=56214"},"modified":"2023-01-30T12:21:48","modified_gmt":"2023-01-30T20:21:48","slug":"u-s-relations-with-israel","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lapost.us\/?p=56214","title":{"rendered":"U.S. Relations with Israel"},"content":{"rendered":"
01\/30\/2023 09:01 AM EST<\/div>\n
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Office of the Spokesperson<\/p>\n

STRONG AND HISTORIC TIES\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

The United States was the first country to recognize Israeli statehood when Israel declared independence in 1948.\u00a0 The 75-year partnership has been built on mutual interests and shared democratic values from its inception, with Israelis and Americans united by their commitment to democracy, economic prosperity, and regional security.<\/p>\n

SECURITY ASSISTANCE AND COOPERATION\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

The abiding U.S. commitment to Israel\u2019s security is buttressed by robust security assistance to Israel \u2013 including the 10-year, $38 billion MOU that was concluded in 2016.\u00a0 Consistent with the MOU, the United States provides $3.3 billion annually in Foreign Military Financing and an additional $500 million in missile defense funding. Missile defense funding supports several cooperative missile defense programs, including David\u2019s Sling and Iron Dome, as well as Arrow, Arrow II, and Arrow III, whose life-saving capabilities have proved vital to Israel\u2019s security.\u00a0 In 2022, the United States provided $1 billion in supplemental funding to replenish Israel\u2019s stock of missile interceptors for the Iron Dome.<\/p>\n

The United States and Israel also participate in a variety of security-related exchanges, including joint military exercises, research, and weapons development. Through the annual Joint Counterterrorism Group and other regular strategic dialogues, the United States and Israel are able to collaborate closely to address a range of regional threats.<\/p>\n

REGIONAL PEACE AND COOPERATION\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

The United States is committed to promoting a more integrated, prosperous, and secure Middle East that benefits all its people.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0We are dedicated to deepening and expanding normalization and integration between Israel and Arab and Muslim-majority states \u2013 as exemplified by the Abraham Accords, other normalization agreements, and the Negev Forum.\u00a0 Established in March 2022, the Negev Forum \u2013 consisting at present of Bahrain, Egypt, Israel, Morocco, the UAE, and the United States \u2013 advances regional integration, cooperation, and development to augment peace, security, and economic prosperity for the wider region, including initiatives that could strengthen the Palestinian economy and improve Palestinians\u2019 quality of life.\u00a0 The United States remains committed to advancing a comprehensive, negotiated two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.<\/p>\n

In July 2022, the United States, Israel, India, and the UAE participated in the inaugural I2U2 summit. This unique grouping of countries aims to harness a collective, shared entrepreneurial spirit to tackle common challenges, with a particular focus on joint investments and initiatives in water, energy, transportation, space, health, and food security.\u00a0 This forum is helping to further advance Israel\u2019s regional and global integration.<\/p>\n

In November 2022, Israel, Jordan, and the UAE signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) for Project Prosperity, a two-part project to supply Israel with clean energy (Prosperity Green) and Jordan with desalinated water (Prosperity Blue).\u00a0 The agreement, brokered by Special Presidential Envoy for Climate John Kerry, will enhance regional integration and resilience in the face of climate change.<\/p>\n

As part of our efforts to promote a two-state solution and regional peace, the United States is programming the first two years of a five-year funding plan (a $100 million tranche) directed under the Nita M. Lowey Middle East Partnership for Peace Act (MEPPA) to strengthen people-to-people engagement between Israelis and Palestinians.\u00a0 MEPPA\u2019s first awards, announced in March 2022, support the Israeli and Palestinian private sectors to forge partnerships, promote economic growth, and lay the foundation for peace through people-to-people connections.<\/p>\n

ECONOMIC TIES\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

The U.S.-Israel economic and commercial relationship is strong, anchored by an annual bilateral trade of nearly $50 billion in goods and services.\u00a0 Several treaties and agreements, including the 1985 U.S.-Israel Free Trade Agreement (FTA), solidify bilateral economic relations.\u00a0\u00a0 Since the FTA\u2019s signing in 1985, the United States has become Israel\u2019s largest trading partner.<\/p>\n

To facilitate economic cooperation, we convene an annual Joint Economic Development Group (JEDG) to discuss the economic partnership and areas for potential growth. The United States and Israel also coordinate scientific and cultural exchanges through the Binational Science Foundation, the Binational Agricultural Research and Development Foundation, Binational Industrial Research and Development Foundation, and the U.S.-Israeli Education Foundation.\u00a0 In July 2022, the United States and Israel held a Strategic High-Level Dialogue on Technology to partner on critical and emerging technologies to address global challenges.<\/p>\n

EDUCATIONAL AND CULTURAL TIES\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

Exchanges between the United States and Israel include a rich variety of cultural, educational, and professional programs.\u00a0 Approximately 17,000 Israelis are alumni of such programs including:<\/p>\n