Congress just passed a record-setting $4.8 billion in security and missile defense funding for Israel.
Dear A.,
The centerpiece of our legislative agenda each year is ensuring Congress approves full security assistance to Israel.
I am excited to share that Congress just approved the largest funding package for Israel in history, including:
$3.3 billion in security assistance to Israel with no added conditions
$1 billion in additional funding to replenish Iron Dome
$500 million in U.S.-Israel missile defense cooperation
Tens of millions of dollars in additional pro-Israel provisions. A full breakdown is included below my signature.
Ten months ago, Palestinian terrorists fired more than 4,300 rockets at Israeli cities.
Millions of Israelis spent 11 days in bomb shelters and Iron Dome saved countless lives.
In the months since, AIPAC has worked tirelessly to ensure America stands with Israel and adds $1 billion to replenish Iron Dome.
Most members of Congress immediately answered the call, but a group of anti-Israel members played politics with Israeli lives and worked to block the funding.
Today Congress has delivered – affirming the overwhelming bipartisan support in Congress for the U.S.-Israel relationship.
This is a historic policy achievement at the core of our mission to keep Israel safe and secure.
It was not easy, and it took persistent activism in the face of real challenges.
These challenges are growing, as Iran is emboldened in its quest to destroy Israel, and as anti-Israel members of Congress and candidates work harder each day to undermine support for Israel in Washington.
We must continue our fight.
We must stand strongly with those who stand with Israel, and ensure our friends in Congress have the unyielding political support of the pro-Israel community.
$1 billion in emergency Iron Dome funding: The lifesaving system is a hallmark of the U.S.-Israel relationship and a byproduct of consistent American support for Israel’s safety.
$3.3 billion in security assistance: In accordance with the 2016 U.S.-Israel Memorandum of Understanding, to help ensure Israel has the means to defend itself, by itself. Thanks to our ongoing advocacy and education, this funding includes NO additional conditions on Israel, despite efforts by some to undermine Israel’s security by adding new restrictions on the assistance.
$500 million in missile defense cooperation: This funding ensures continued collaboration on lifesaving missile defense programs like Iron Dome, David’s Sling and Arrow.
The Israel Relations Normalization Act: This bipartisan bill will support and expand recent peace and normalization agreements between Israel and the UAE, Bahrain, Sudan and Morocco.
$47.5 million for anti-tunneling technology: This funding helps America and Israel develop new capabilities to detect and destroy underground terror tunnels.
$25 million to combat drone terrorism: Drone warfare is one of the most pressing security threats facing America and Israel. This funding will help the two allies develop new technologies to counter the threat.
$4 million for U.S.-Israel healthcare cooperation — Double last year’s funding level. Israel is a world leader in medical technology, and greater U.S.-Israel cooperation can provide critical healthcare solutions to Americans in need.
$1 million for U.S.-Israel agriculture cooperation: The first-ever direct appropriation for bilateral agriculture partnerships.
$6 million for U.S.-Israel energy cooperation: Greater U.S.-Israel cooperation will enhance our renewable energy technologies, help achieve global climate objectives, and protect our critical energy infrastructure.
$2 million for U.S.-Israel homeland security cooperation: Efforts related to border security, maritime security, biometrics, cybersecurity, and video analytics.
$2 million for U.S.-Israel international development cooperation: This funding will help address challenges in the developing world related to water scarcity, agriculture and sustainability.
$50 million for the Nita M. Lowey Middle East Partnership for Peace Act: This funding will help foster economic cooperation and people-to-people peacebuilding programs between Israelis, Palestinians and Americans.
$6 million for the Middle East Regional Cooperation program: A 20% increase over last year’s funding. This program facilitates research collaboration between Israel and other countries in the region.
$5 million for refugee resettlement in Israel: This vital funding helps our ally integrate refugees from around the world, including from Ukraine, into Israeli society.
Strong report language condemning the U.N. Commission of Inquiry against Israel and calling on the administration to publicly denounce and work to reverse the anti-Israel bias at the U.N. Human Rights Council.
Strong report language condemning Iran’s aggressive and destabilizing activities throughout the world, including providing its terror proxy Hezbollah with advanced precision-guided missiles, and directing funds to prevent Iran’s development of nuclear weapons.
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.
AIPAC 251 H St. NW • Washington D.C. 20001 • TEL 202-639-5200
