Welcome to DU! The truly grassroots left-of-center political community where regular people, not algorithms, drive the discussions and set the standards. Join the community: Create a free account Support DU (and get rid of ads!): Become a Star Member Latest Breaking News Editorials & Other Articles General Discussion The DU Lounge All Forums Issue Forums Culture Forums Alliance Forums Region Forums Support Forums Help & Search

Doc Sportello

(7,962 posts)
4. Often the weapons are purchased with U.S. funds
Sun Feb 25, 2024, 10:57 AM
Feb 2024

The U.S. has given Israel $30B over the years, with requirements that much of it be used for purchase of military products. So, to draw a line: to claim that Israel is only using its own funds to buy military weapons from the U.S. is as wrong as it is to state that "many" on the left say Biden wants genocide. Both are factually wrong.

Most of the aid—approximately $3.3 billion a year—is provided as grants under the Foreign Military Financing (FMF) program, funds that Israel must use to purchase U.S. military equipment and services. Israel has also historically been permitted to use a portion of its FMF aid to buy equipment from Israeli defense firms—a benefit not granted to other recipients of U.S. military aid—but this domestic procurement is to be phased out in the next few years. U.S. aid reportedly accounts for some 15 percent of Israel’s defense budget. Israel, like many other countries, also buys U.S. military products outside of the FMF program.

Additionally, $500 million a year is slated for Israeli and joint U.S.-Israeli missile defense programs, in which the two countries collaborate on the research, development, and production of these systems used by Israel, including the Iron Dome, David’s Sling, and Arrow II. Iron Dome was solely developed by Israel, but the United States has been a production partner since 2014. For instance, the U.S. military contractor Raytheon manufactures Tamir interceptor missiles for Israel’s Iron Dome at its facilities in Arizona.


https://www.cfr.org/article/us-aid-israel-four-charts

Recommendations

0 members have recommended this reply (displayed in chronological order):

Latest Discussions»Issue Forums»Israel/Palestine»It seems like is the US i...»Reply #4