The Case for Foreign Aid to

Israel

Prepared by NORPAC2/2/2015

Background

Israel is America’s closest ally in the Middle East.

To help Israel maintain a strong military, the United States provides it with security assistance as part of the overall foreign aid bill and the defense appropriations bill.

This vital aid, most of which Israel spends in the United States, is the most tangible expression of American support for the Jewish state.

The Value of Foreign Aid Protecting American Interests Abroad

Foreign aid is a cost-effective tool for keeping America safe, strong and prosperous, and is vital in helping Israel counter increasing threats in the region.

A robust foreign aid budget is one essential element of America’s national security strategy. Foreign aid enables us to support key allies like Israel, pave the way for Washington’s diplomatic efforts, spur our job-creating exports, and help prevent unstable areas from becoming breeding grounds for terror.

How Much Do We Spend on Foreign Aid?

Polls show that Americans believe the United States spends 25 percent of the federal budget on foreign aid..

.. in reality, the actual number is only 1 percent.

Foreign Aid Bolsters our National

Security Preventing Terrorism

By advancing economic, political and social stability in poor nations, foreign aid helps prevent these areas from becoming breeding grounds for terrorism.

Promoting Democracy Our foreign aid program embodies

core American values. We assist the most vulnerable, especially when disaster strikes; promote democracy, pluralism and human rights; and encourage self-sufficiency and adherence to the law.

Foreign Aid Creates American Jobs

Opening Up Foreign Markets By helping countries establish stable governments and

economies, we can foster a new customer base for American businesses and create more jobs at home.

By funding commercial attaches and trade assistance programs, we help U.S. businesses create the relationships and the support they need to sell in foreign markets.

1 in 5 American jobs are linked to International Trade.

Foreign AidSupports These

InitiativesDisaster relief funds

Counter-drug programs

Our contribution tothe U.N. Children’s

Fund

Malaria prevention

Child vaccination programs

Diplomatic security

U.S. embassies

Counter-terrorism training

Humanitarian aid

HIV/AIDS Prevention

Student foreignexchange programs

Peacekeeping missions

Foreign Aid to Israel In 2007, the United States and Israel signed a 10-year

Memorandum of Understanding calling for the U.S. to provide $30 billion in security assistance over the next decade. Under the terms of the 2007 agreement, the U.S. pledged to provide Israel $3.1 billion in security assistance in both fiscal years 2013 and 2014.

By law, 75 percent of U.S. aid to Israel has to be spent in the United States, thus boosting America’s defense industry. In addition, Israeli battlefield innovations have helped the United States dramatically improve both its equipment and tactics. Israel also has provided invaluable intelligence and training to U.S. forces in the region.

Foreign Aid to IsraelAdvances U.S. Interests

(1 of 2) Promoting Stability in the Middle East In the 40 years since the 1973 Yom Kippur War, U.S. support

for Israel through annual security aid has helped deter conflict by making it clear to potential foes that they cannot defeat the Jewish state.

Sharing Intelligence Cooperation between the United States and Israel in

intelligence, homeland security, joint training exercises, and prepositioning of military supplies has been critical to meeting the many growing challenges the United States faces in this critical part of the world.

The United States currently prepositions (or stockpiles) over $1 billion in arms in Israel

Allowing Israel to Take Risks for Peace U.S. assistance has allowed Israel to remain strong militarily, allowing

it to take risks for peace with the Palestinians and sign peace treaties with Egypt and Jordan.

Honoring our Shared Values Since 1948, America has championed the historic rebirth of the Jewish

homeland. Israel is the only country in the Middle East where full religious and political freedom is a reality. Americans feel a kinship with Israel, and its growth as a friendly, genuine democracy serves as a beacon of our accomplishments in the Middle East.

Foreign Aid to IsraelAdvances U.S. Interests

(2 of 2)

Israeli-developed technologies that save American lives

1. Reactive armor on personnel carriers 2. IED Protection 3. Advanced Medical Training and Products 4. Unmanned Aerial Vehicles and LITENING

Targeting Pod 5. Helmet-mounted sight for aircraft 6. Towed Assault Bridge

U.S.-Israel Security Cooperation:

Joint Missile Defense Programs

In addition to the $3.1 billion Foreign Aid allocation, the United States also jointly develops and funds defensive missile systems with partners in Israel.

The US-Israel joint missile defense program includes research on the David’s Sling, Arrow 2 and Arrow 3 projects, which target medium- and long-range missiles. It also includes funding for the Iron Dome program, which is designed to intercept short-range rockets.

Congress approved $618 million to joint missile programs for Fiscal Year 2015, including an additional emergency $225 million to Iron Dome in August 2015 during its Gaza operation.

Iron DomeDevelopers: Rafael Advanced Defense Systems; Elta; mPrest Systems

Target: Short-range rockets; Artillery/mortar shells (44 mile maximum distance)

Missile: Tamir Interceptor with electro-optic sensors and numerous steering fins

Cost: Battery - $50 million; Missile - $40,000

Components: Tracking Radar; Battle Management Control (BMC); Firing Unit

Firsts: Test-July 2009; Deployment-March 2011; Interception-April 2011

Iron Dome is the only proven system with the ability to detect, track and intercept short-range rockets, such as the Katyushas and Kassams possessed by Hamas, Islamic Jihad and Hezbollah in growing numbers. It was successfully activated for the first time in April 2011.

Iron Dome

Rafael Advanced Defense Systems

84% SUCCESS RATE

Most Rocketswere intercepted from

Gaza

David’s SlingDevelopers: Rafael Advanced Defense Systems; Raytheon

Target: Medium- to long-range rockets (63-185 mile range)

Missile: Stunner 2-stage Interceptor with electro-optical sensor & radar targeting

Timetable: First Test - Nov. 2012; Second Test Interception - Nov. 2013

Budget:$330 million from US government since 2006David's Sling was developed as a flexible, multipurpose weapon system capable of engaging aircraft, cruise missiles, ballistic and guided missiles. David's Sling was designed totarget incoming missiles during their terminal phase, unlike the Iron Dome which intercepts missiles at their highest trajectory. Its primary role will be to intercept medium- and long-range ballistic and guided rockets, such as the Iranian Fajr-5 and BM-25 as well as the Syrian M-600 and Yakhont supersonic cruise missile. It will bridge the Iron Dome (short range interceptor) with the Arrow Theatre (long range interceptor).

Arrow Theatre SystemDevelopers: Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI); Boeing

Target: Long-range ballistic missiles; high-altitude nuclear warheads (Arrow-3)

Cost: $3 million per unit

Budget: $825 million from US; ~$300 million from Israeli government

Components: Interceptor; early-warning radar; command & control center; launcher

Firsts: Deployment (Arrow2)-October 2000; Test (Arrow3)-January 2012

The Arrow is designed to give Israel a full theatre ballistic missile defense capability. In August 2008, the US and Israel began production of the Arrow-3, which targets an incoming missile outside of the earth's atmosphere, thereby preventing collateral damage from impact with a nuclear warhead. Recently, a major milestone was reached with the second successful test of the Arrow 3, manufactured jointly by Boeing and Israel Aerospace Industries. Currently, Israel has two earlier-generation Arrow-2 batteries deployed in the center of the country and may deploy an Arrow-3 later this year.

Foreign Aid:What to Ask Members of

Congress

1. U.S. Foreign Aid to Israel for Fiscal Year 2016

1. Will you support the annual fiscal year 2016 foreign aid bill including $3.1 billion to Israel?

2. U.S. Missile Defense Appropriations to Israel for Fiscal Year 2016

1. Will you support continued funding of the joint U.S.-Israel missile program including Iron Dome, David's Sling, and Arrow systems for countering the threat of rockets and missiles at a level comparable to Fiscal Year 2015 levels ($618 million)?

NORPACAmerica’s leading pro-Israel, non-

partisan Political Action Committee (PAC)

www.norpac.net