Friend of Israel,
Today Congress passed a significant package of pro-Israel legislation that we have spent the past several years working with Democrats and Republicans to achieve.
The authorizations, sustained programs, and new initiatives in this bill will help keep Israel safe and expand the U.S.-Israel relationship.
This major accomplishment would not have been possible without the work of the pro-Israel community over years to build relationships and engage directly with Congress—both as a whole and on the committee level.
Included below are the complete details of what is in the bill, and you can read
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this bill summary, but here are some highlights of what these provisions achieve:
- Helping to keep Israel safe by authorizing the next eight years of security assistance for Israel.
- Strengthening missile defense cooperation through $500 million in missile defense programs like Iron Dome, David’s Sling and Arrow.
- Enabling Israel to better defend itself by expanding the stockpile of weapons the U.S. stores in Israel that the Jewish state can access in an emergency, and authorizing the President to approve additional precision guided munitions for Israel’s use in a conflict.
- Expanding U.S.-Israel partnerships through $20 million in U.S.-Israel cooperation in energy, homeland security, water, space, and joint international development.
- Improving our healthcare by authorizing $12 million for U.S.-Israel partnerships in the fight against COVID-19.
- Addressing emerging security challenges by creating a U.S.-Israel defense innovation working group.
Our work took on new meaning this year, as we held thousands of virtual lobbying meetings and engagements, and we are deeply appreciative of your ongoing and enduring commitment to our shared mission.
As the threats and challenges facing Israel grow, this bill serves as yet another powerful reminder of what we can achieve as a strong pro-Israel community.
Thank you for your continued commitment to keeping Israel safe and the U.S.-Israel partnership strong.
Betsy Berns Korn
AIPAC President
The U.S.-Israel Security Assistance Authorization Act
Why it matters
The threats facing Israel today are real and growing. As some are calling to cut or condition America’s support for Israel, this bipartisan legislation strengthens and expands this support. It also authorizes funds for other U.S.-Israel partnerships, in areas like homeland security, healthcare, energy and the environment.
What it does
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Authorizes the full $3.3 billion in annual U.S. security assistance to Israel for the next eight years, as called for in the 2016 U.S.-Israel Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on security assistance.
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Extends authorization for the U.S. War Reserve Stockpile in Israel for five more years and authorizes an additional $200 million annually in stocks. This stockpile prepositions equipment for our troops and, in time of emergency, Israel is able to tap into this reserve to bolster its own supplies.
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Authorizes the President to exceed the current limitations on the transfer of precision guided munitions in a non-emergency setting for Israel’s use under certain conditions.
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Authorizes a total of $14 million for U.S.-Israel cooperation in energy, water, agriculture, cyber and alternative fuel technologies.
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Authorizes $12 million over the next three years to enhance U.S.-Israel partnerships to combat COVID-19.
U.S.-Israel Operations-Technology Working Group
Why it matters
As emerging threats—such as drones, cyberattacks, and the proliferation of advanced missiles—are growing, the U.S.-Israel Operations-Technology Working Group helps America and Israel combat shared threats—now and into the future.
What it does
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Establishes a dedicated U.S.-Israel working group to streamline bilateral defense cooperation.
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Deepens the defense relationship between America and Israel.
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Helps both countries combat growing and shared threats—now and into the future.
$500 Million for Life-Saving Missile Defense Cooperation
Why it matters
Israelis are surrounded by Iranian-backed terrorist groups with more than 150,000 rockets and missiles, and Iran continues to advance its precision guided missile capability and ballistic missile program. U.S.-Israel missile defense cooperation saves lives and infrastructure, and helps Israel avoid war.
What it does
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Fully funds U.S.-Israel missile defense cooperation as called for in the 2016 MOU.
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$73 million for procurement of Israel’s Iron Dome short-range rocket defense system.
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$50 million for procurement of Israel’s David’s Sling medium-range missile defense system.
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$77 million for procurement of Israel’s Arrow long-range missile defense system.
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$300 million for research and development to improve these and other American and Israeli missile defense systems.
The mission of AIPAC is to strengthen and expand the U.S.-Israel relationship in ways that enhance the security of the United States and Israel.
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