2024-04-08 08:50:49
The humanitarian catastrophe in Gaza has sparked demands that the United States place conditions on the military funding and other aid it provides to Israel, estimated to be worth billions of dollars.
Israel has received more American aid since World War II than any other country, according to Reuters. Below are details of American support for Israel, as it continues its war against Hamas militants in Gaza.
In 2016, the US and Israeli governments signed a third ten-year memorandum of understanding covering the period from October 1, 2018 to September 30, 2028.
“David’s Sling” air defense system (archives – Reuters)
The memorandum of understanding provides military aid totaling $38 billion over the ten years, including $33 billion in grants to purchase military equipment, and $5 billion for missile defense systems.
What advanced weapons systems is Israel acquiring?
Israel is the first country in the world to operate the F-35 fighter, which is considered the most technologically advanced fighter aircraft ever.
Israel is currently purchasing 75 aircraft of this type, receiving 36 of them last year and paying for them with American assistance.
The United States also helped Israel develop and arm the Iron Dome short-range missile defense system, which was developed after the 2006 war between Israel and the Lebanese Hezbollah group.
The United States has repeatedly sent hundreds of millions of dollars to Israel; To assist in resupplying interceptor missiles.
Washington is also helping to finance the development of Israel’s “David’s Sling” air defense system, which is designed to shoot down missiles fired from a distance of 100 to 200 kilometers.
Will Israel get more because of its campaign against Hamas?
Last year, US President Joe Biden asked Congress to approve an additional spending bill worth $95 billion that includes $14 billion for Israel, in addition to $60 billion to support Ukraine and Taiwan, and billions of dollars for humanitarian aid.
The Senate approved this package with a support rate of 70 percent during the month of February, but it faltered in the House of Representatives, whose Republican leaders refused to call for a vote on it, for reasons: Most notably, they object to providing more funding to Ukraine.
Israeli pilots stand in front of an American-made F-35 aircraft during joint exercises in Italy (Israeli army website)
The package also faces resistance from a number of left-leaning Democrats who object to sending more money to Israel as it continues its military campaign that has killed more than 30,000 civilians in Gaza, according to Palestinian health officials.
What are other forms of American support for Israel?
The United States has long used its veto power in the United Nations Security Council. To prevent the issuance of resolutions seen as criticizing Israel.
Earlier in the six-month war in Gaza, Washington vetoed measures that included calls for an immediate ceasefire.
To pass the resolution in the Security Council, the resolution needs at least nine supportive votes, and the United States, France, Britain, Russia, or China do not use a veto.
Late last month, Washington abandoned its traditional role to protect Israel, by abstaining from voting on a resolution calling for a ceasefire, instead of using its veto, although it described the brief text as “non-binding.”
Washington has long sided with Israel on several other levels. Former Republican President Donald Trump decided to withdraw from the United Nations Human Rights Council. The most important human rights body in the world; In protest against her criticism of Israel’s treatment of the Palestinians.
Also during the Trump era, the United States withdrew from the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), for reasons: Among them is what his administration described as the organization’s bias against Israel.
Trump abandoned a policy that the United States had adhered to for decades when, in 2017, he recognized Jerusalem as the capital of Israel. The status of Jerusalem represents one of the biggest obstacles to reaching a peace agreement between Israel and the Palestinians.
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