Ruppersberger Applauds Unprecedented Security Assistance Agreement Between U.S. and Israel

Statement

Congressman C.A. Dutch Ruppersberger issued the following statement on a Memorandum of Understanding between the United States and Israel expected to be signed later today:

"I applaud the Administration for finalizing an unprecedented agreement that will provide the government of Israel with a total of $3.8 billion a year in security assistance over the next decade. The Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) represents the most aid the United States has ever provided to any country.

This agreement sends a powerful message that the United States will not stand idly by if Israel is threatened. I met with Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu in Jerusalem earlier this year and never before have Israel's security needs been greater. Israel is our strongest ally in the Middle East and is under constant threat from groups like Hezbollah, Hamas and ISIS.

The MOU includes $5 billion to support missile defense to ensure Israel can defend itself against a wide range of threats like rocket attacks fired on civilians. It also includes $33 billion in foreign military financing, which will support American jobs in the aerospace and defense industries.

I look forward to leveraging my role on the House Appropriations Defense Subcommittee to make sure these funds are appropriated and Israel gets the assistance it needs to stay safe. There has never been a day where I doubted the need to protect Israel, the incredible value Israel poses as an ally in the Middle East or the need to work together to combat common threats."

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