2013 Briefing Book - Print Version - Aipac

RELATIONSHIP
What Congress Has Done to Strengthen
the U.S.-Israel Relationship
Approved Annual Foreign Aid to Israel. For four decades, Congress has provided Israel
with vital aid. U.S. security assistance has strengthened America’s leading ally in an
unstable region that is critical to U.S. national security interests.
Backed Loan Guarantees to Help Refugees. Since 1992, the United States has made
available some $10 billion in loan guarantees to help Israel absorb a million refugees
from the former Soviet Union and Ethiopia. This backing has enabled Israel to
integrate the many highly trained refugees into its society, paving the way for key
advancements in science, technology and medicine that benefit the United States and
other countries around the world.
Supported Strong Strategic Cooperation. Congress has approved key U.S.-Israel
cooperative defense programs that have boosted the ability of both the U.S. and
Israel to defend their citizens. From missile defense to sophisticated tank protection to
aviation security, Americans and Israelis have worked together to produce advanced
technologies and systems that help keep both nations’ soldiers and citizens safe.
Ensured Israel’s Qualitative Military Edge. In evaluating U.S. arms sales and military aid
to other countries in the Middle East, Congress has consistently sought to ensure that
such arms transfers do not erode Israel’s qualitative edge over its potential adversaries.
This policy supports the U.S. goals of peace and stability in the Middle East by
providing Israel with the ability to deter major conflicts and defeat aggressors.
Reaffirmed the U.S.-Israel Alliance. Congress has regularly restated the important
principles that form the foundation of the U.S.-Israel relationship. In 2010,
resounding majorities of the House and the Senate signed letters to President Obama
urging him to reaffirm the strength of this relationship and calling for any differences
to be resolved amicably—as befits long-standing strategic allies. “The United States
and Israel are close allies whose people share a deep and abiding friendship based on
a shared commitment to core values including democracy, human rights and freedom
of the press and religion,” the letters state.
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