Israel and US sign military aid deal
The United States today offered Israel an unprecedented $30 (€22bn) military aid package, bolstering its closest Mideast ally.
The aid deal signed in a ceremony in Jerusalem represents a 25% in US military aid to Israel, from a current $2.4bn (€1.8bn) each year to $3bn (€2.2bn) a year over 10 years.
Nicholas Burns, the US under-secretary of state for political affairs, and Israeli Foreign Minister Director-General Aharon Abramovitz signed the memorandum of understanding on the assistance at a ceremony in Jerusalem.
The package was meant in part to offset US plans to offer Saudi Arabia advanced weapons and air systems that would greatly improve the Arab country’s air force.
Israel has said it has no opposition to the US aid to Saudi Arabia, which comes as the United States strengthens moderate Arabs in facing the growing influence of Iran.
“This assistance is not a result of a mercy request of Israel, but out of a vital American interest that Israel be strong here,” Danny Ayalon, a former Israeli ambassador to the United States, told Israel’s Army Radio.
