U.S., Israel finalize deal on largest-ever military aid package
On Wednesday, the United States and Israel signed an unprecedented pact that will provide the Jewish state with the largest amount of military aid ever awarded, $38 billion over 10 years, with promises of the latest fighter jets, missile defense systems and cutting-edge technology. The deal was touted as proof of the two nations’ unwavering alliance and took months of wrangling and public flare-ups. The 10-year agreement is not without strings and holds a number of conditions that are different from previous U.S.-Israeli deals. It’s structured so that more Israeli defense spending goes to U.S. companies. The deal also states that Israel can’t lobby Congress for more money unless a war breaks out and that Israel can’t use any of the funds for fuel, meaning more of the aid would come back to U.S. manufacturers. Israel is the top recipient of U.S. military aid, followed by Egypt, Jordan and Pakistan.