A package of military aid for Israel worth $38 billion over 10 years was signed on Wednesday, September 14. Though the value of the aid is lower that what Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu expected, it represents a 10% increase compared to the previous agreement. In order to secure increased aid, Israel had to make significant concessions and agreed to phase out a provision that allowed it to finance its native arms industry with US monies as well as to stop lobbying the US Congress for additional funds.

Negotiations started in November 2015 and the agreement will come into force once the previous one expires at the end of 2018. Netanyahu made his opening bid by demanding aid worth $4.5 billion yearly, which would represent a growth of over 30%: the previous aid package was set at $3.1 billion yearly and together with additional funds approved by Congress Israel received $3.5 billion per year. A sum of $3.8 billion was agreed upon in the negotiations and includes missile defence development funds which we hitherto provided separately. As part of the package, Israel has agreed not to seek extra funding.

Tensions between US President Barack Obama and Netanyahu marred the negotiation and its successful conclusion is a sign of close strategic cooperation despite personal animosities. President Obama already promised to increase aid in 2015, responding to claims that Iran nuclear deal would endanger Israel’s security.

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