U.S.-Israel Relations
News about governmental relations between Israel and the United States
“It would be useful if moving the embassy becomes the first stage of Israel-U.S.-Arab policy of assertive truth-telling. This is one of the main arguments President Trump has made—the simple truth that Jerusalem is the capital of Israel.”
While America was able to pass its version of the Taylor Force Act as part of an omnibus spending bill, the Israeli bills to offset terror payments have stalled for months, highlighting key differences between the U.S. foreign-aid payments and Israeli tax-revenue transfers.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said at the start of Israel’s Cabinet meeting: “Today, we will welcome U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, a true friend of Israel. ... I will discuss with him developments in the region, Iran’s growing aggression, and, of course, the nuclear agreement with Iran, about which there will be a decision soon.”
While not totally comprehensive, the bill signed by President Trump meets a number of immediate needs.
“I truly appreciate the hard work of the Force family and the many friends of Taylor Force who made it clear to Congress the practice of #PaytoSlay must be stopped,” Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.), who introduced the bill in 2016, tweeted on Friday.
From retirement to Washington advocacy: Stuart Force, father of terror victim Taylor Force, urges Congress to end Palestinian terror payments.
The legislation, which seeks to slash U.S. aid to the Palestinian Authority over its payments to convicted terrorists and their families, has stalled in the U.S. Senate despite bipartisan support as both sides point fingers.
The survey found that 75 percent of Americans view Israel favorably, the highest since 1991 during the Persian Gulf War.
The Juniper Cobra 18 exercise, held since 2001, practices the rapid deployment of American air-defense units and equipment to Israel from Europe in the event of armed conflict.
The Arrow 3 system, which joins the missile defense arsenal comprised of the Iron Dome, David’s Sling, and Arrows 1 and 2, is designed to protect Israel from short-, medium- and long-range missiles and is among the world’s highest-level multi-tiered missile defense network.
The requested funds are the result of a $38 billion 10-year memorandum of understanding signed between Israel and the U.S. at the end of President Barack Obama’s term in office. The additional funds will provide “assistance to bolster Israel’s capacity to defend itself and maintain its qualitative military edge.”
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Thursday met with President Donald Trump at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, where the two leaders discussed the peace process, Iran and U.S. support for Israel in international bodies.
