2016 U.S.-Israel Memorandum of Understanding

The 2016 U.S.-Israel Memorandum of Understanding is a 10-year security assistance Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to Israel by the United States, covering the years FY2019-FY2028.[1][2] The total value of the MOU is $38 billion ($3.8 billion per year), the largest aid package in US history.[3][4][5]

Background

The 2016 MOU succeeded the $30 billion 2007 U.S.-Israel Memorandum of Understanding, which expired at the end of FY2018.[6]

The negotiations for the MOU lasted for 10 months.[4] The MOU was signed on September 14, 2016 in a formal ceremony at the US State Department.[7][8] The MOU was signed by under secretary of state for political affairs Thomas A. Shannon Jr., and Jacob Nagel, the acting national security adviser to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.[7]

As part of the agreement, the Israeli government signed a letter promising to return any additional money that Congress appropriated in 2017 and 2018.[9] Congress had planned to give Israel an additional $600 million for missile defense as well $3.4 billion in 2017.[9] Senator Lindsey Graham accused the Obama Administration of pressuring the Israeli Government to write the letter, saying "It is a level of antagonism against Israel that I can't understand."[9]

Provisions

The 2016 MOU provided $500 million annually for missile defense programs.[10] Supplemental appropriations were made in 2022 ($1 billion) and 2024 ($5.2 billion) to replenish Iron Dome and David Sling interceptors used during the Gaza War.[10]

See also

References

  1. ↑ "FACT SHEET: Memorandum of Understanding Reached with Israel". whitehouse.gov. 2016-09-14. Retrieved 2026-05-30.
  2. ↑ "Statement by the President on the Memorandum of Understanding Reached with Israel". whitehouse.gov. 2016-09-14. Retrieved 2026-05-30.
  3. ↑ "U.S., Israel sign $38 billion military aid package". Reuters. Archived from the original on 2025-11-03. Retrieved 2026-05-30.
  4. 1 2 "US approves record $38bn Israel military aid deal". BBC News. 2016-09-13. Retrieved 2026-05-30.
  5. ↑ Wootliff, Raoul; Cortellessa, Eric (2016-09-14). "US, Israel sign largest ever military aid deal, hail 'unbreakable bond'". The Times of Israel. ISSN 0040-7909. Retrieved 2026-05-30.
  6. ↑ Department Of State. The Office of Electronic Information, Bureau of Public Affairs (2007-08-16). "Remarks and Press Availability at Signing Ceremony for Memorandum of Understanding on U.S. Military Assistance". 2001-2009.state.gov. Retrieved 2026-05-30.
  7. 1 2 Baker, Peter; Davis, Julie Hirschfeld (2016-09-13). "U.S. Finalizes Deal to Give Israel $38 Billion in Military Aid". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2026-05-30.
  8. ↑ Gaouette, Nicole (2016-09-13). "US, Israel reach record military aid deal | CNN Politics". CNN. Retrieved 2026-05-30.
  9. 1 2 3 Rogin, Josh (2016-09-14). "Obama and Israel cut Congress out of the aid game". The Washington Post. ISSN 0190-8286. Retrieved 2026-05-30.
  10. 1 2 Shapiro, Daniel B. (2025-01-31). "Let's talk about the next US-Israel military-assistance agreement". Defense One. Retrieved 2026-05-30.
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