After 10 months of talking, Washington has agreed a record 38 billion dollar military aid package for Israel. <br /><br /> The deal signed on Wednesday, will allow Israel to upgrade most of its fighter aircraft, improve its ground forces’ mobility and strengthen its missile defense systems.<br /><br /> National Security Adviser Susan Rice:<br />“This is the single largest pledge of military assistance-to any country-in American history. It’s a reminder of the United States’ unshakable commitment to Israel’s security.”<br /><br /> The drawn out talks underscored continuing friction between the US and Israeli leaders over the nuclear Iran deal. But to avoid uncertainty with a new US presidential administration, Premier Benjamin Netanyahu signed.<br /><br /> The U.S. Is Making a Historic Investment to Protect the Security of Israel https://t.co/vFy3cDRzYe— The White House Blog (@blog44) September 14, 2016<br /><br /> “I would like to thank President Obama and his administration for this historic deal. I also thank our many, many friends in the American Congress and the American people for their support, bi-partisan support from the United States,” Netanyahu told viewers in a televised address.<br /><br /> While the package constitutes the most US military aid ever given to any country, it does entail concessions by Israel according to officials on both sides.<br /><br /> Those include Israel’s promise not to seek additional funds from Congress beyond what will be guaranteed annually in the new package, and to phase out a special arrangement that has allowed Israel to spend part of its US aid on its own defense industry instead of on American-made weapons.<br /><br /> The aid is seen as vital to Israel’s security in an unstable region. However pro-Palestinian groups claim it rewards Israel despite the ongoing construction of Jewish settlements in the occupied West Bank.<br /><br /> The settlements are considered illegal under international law, though Israel disputes this.<br /><br /> .WhiteHouse continues to reward Israel with American tax dollars as Israel continues to violate international law https://t.co/KyozY2cOnV— Blanca (RenegadeB3) September 14, 2016<br />
