Trump administration lauds start of Obama-era Israel defense package

10-year deal struck under last White House will see Israel get $3.3 billion in defense aid and an extra $500 million in missile defense systems and coordination annually

By Eric Cortellessa 2 October 2018, 9:36 pm

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Then president-elect Donald Trump with then president Barack Obama in the Oval Office, Washington DC on November 10, 2016. (Win McNamee/Getty Images/AFP)

WASHINGTON — The Trump administration on Monday said an agreement to provide Israel with $38 billion in defense aid over 10 years had taken effect.

The memorandum of understanding (MOU) was signed between the Obama White House and Israel, but only took effect when the last 10-year agreement ended in 2018.

The agreement includes annual payouts of $3.3 billion in military financing and $500 million in missile defense systems and coordination.

“Our implementation of this historic MOU reflects the enduring and unshakable commitment of the president, this administration, and the American people to Israel’s security,” the State Department’s spokesperson Heather Nauert said in a statement.

Nauert recognized the agreement as an Obama-era accomplishment. “The MOU was negotiated under the previous administration, reflecting the bi-partisan nature of this commitment,” she said.

On Tuesday Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu thanked the Trump administration for going ahead with the deal struck under Obama.

“I thank the American administration and Congress for their commitment to Israel and also for the American financial assistance in the coming decade” he said.

“Israel and the world face complex security challenges, especially Iranian aggression. The unreserved US support for Israel’s right to defend itself is among the pillars of the strong bond between the two countries,” he said in a statement released by his office.

US President Donald Trump has repeatedly sought to rein in American spending abroad as part of an “America First” policy. He has threatened to end defense aid to foreign countries, but has also expressed strong support for Israel and Netanyahu.

The aid to Israel is part of a military assistance package signed by the two parties in September 2016. The $3.8 billion annual figure is up from the $3.1 billion pledged under the previous agreed-upon MOU, and will last through 2028.

Such funding is allocated to a myriad of Israeli defense programs, including the Iron Dome missile interception system, the Arrow 3 long-range interceptor program, and David’s Sling mid-range rocket interceptors.

The MOU between Washington and Jerusalem is the United States’ largest defense aid package to any country in history.

The agreement was struck after the Iran nuclear deal was forged between the United States, Iran, and world powers.

The Obama administration and Netanyahu government had a bitter dispute over the Iran nuclear deal, which Israel argued put their state at risk militarily.