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The Case for Foreign Aid to Israel Prepared by NORPAC 2/2/2015
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Background Israel is America’s closest ally in the Middle East. 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. 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. This vital aid, most of which Israel spends in the United States, is the most tangible expression of American support for the Jewish state.
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The Value of Foreign Aid Protecting American Interests Abroad 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. 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. 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.
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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.. 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... in reality, the actual number is only 1 percent.
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Foreign Aid Bolsters our National Security Preventing Terrorism Preventing Terrorism By advancing economic, political and social stability in poor nations, foreign aid helps prevent these areas from becoming breeding grounds for 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 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. 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.
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Foreign Aid Creates American Jobs Opening Up Foreign Markets 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 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. 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. 1 in 5 American jobs are linked to International Trade.
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Foreign Aid Supports These Initiatives Disaster relief funds Counter-drug programs Our contribution to the U.N. Children’s Fund Malaria prevention Child vaccination programs Diplomatic security U.S. embassies Counter-terrorism training Humanitarian aid HIV/AIDS Prevention Student foreign exchange programs Peacekeeping missions
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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. 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. 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.
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Foreign Aid to Israel Advances U.S. Interests (1 of 2) Promoting Stability in the Middle East 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. 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 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. 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 The United States currently prepositions (or stockpiles) over $1 billion in arms in Israel
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Allowing Israel to Take Risks for Peace 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. 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 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. 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 Israel Advances U.S. Interests (2 of 2)
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Israeli-developed technologies that save American lives 1. Reactive armor on personnel carriers 1. Reactive armor on personnel carriers 2. IED Protection 2. IED Protection 3. Advanced Medical Training and Products 3. Advanced Medical Training and Products 4. Unmanned Aerial Vehicles and LITENING Targeting Pod 4. Unmanned Aerial Vehicles and LITENING Targeting Pod 5. Helmet-mounted sight for aircraft 5. Helmet-mounted sight for aircraft 6. Towed Assault Bridge 6. Towed Assault Bridge
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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. 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. 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. 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.
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Iron Dome Developers: 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.
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Iron Dome Rafael Advanced Defense Systems 84% SUCCESS RATE Most Rockets were intercepted from Gaza Most Rockets were intercepted from Gaza
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David’s Sling Developers: 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 2006 David'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 to target 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).
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Arrow Theatre System Developers: 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.
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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)?
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NORPAC America’s leading pro-Israel, non-partisan Political Action Committee (PAC) www.norpac.net
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