strong and historic ties
The United States was the first country to recognize the state of Israel when Israel declared independence in 1948. Our 75-year partnership is built on mutual benefits and has shared democratic values from the beginning. Israelis and Americans are united by a commitment to democracy and economic prosperity. , and local security.
Security assistance and cooperation
America’s unwavering commitment to Israel’s security is underpinned by strong security support for Israel, including a 10-year, $38 billion MOU signed in 2016. $500 million for missile defense. The Missile Defense Fund supports several joint missile defense programs, including David’s Sling, Iron Dome, Arrow, Arrow II and Arrow III. The life-saving capabilities of Arrow, Arrow II and Arrow III have proven vital to Israel’s security. In 2022, the US provided her with an additional $1 billion to replenish Israel’s inventory of missile interceptors for the Iron Dome.
The United States and Israel also participate in various security-related exchanges, including joint military exercises, research, and weapons development. Through the annual Joint Counter-Terrorism Group and other regular strategic dialogues, the United States and Israel can work closely together to address various regional threats.
Regional peace and cooperation
America is committed to promoting a more integrated, prosperous, and secure Middle East that benefits all of our people. We will deepen and broaden normalization and integration between Israel and Arab and Muslim-majority nations, as exemplified in the Abraham Accords, other normalization agreements, and the Negev Forum. devoted to Established in March 2022, the Negev Forum, currently comprising Bahrain, Egypt, Israel, Morocco, the United Arab Emirates and the United States, is committed to promoting regional integration, cooperation and development to promote peace, Enhance security and economic prosperity. This includes initiatives that can strengthen the Palestinian economy and improve the quality of life of Palestinians. The United States remains committed to advancing a comprehensive, negotiated, two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
In July 2022, the United States, Israel, India and the UAE will participate in the first I2U2 Summit. This unique group of nations has a collective and shared entrepreneurial spirit to address common challenges, with a particular focus on joint investments and initiatives in water, energy, transportation, space, health and food security. We aim to take advantage of This forum is helping to further advance Israel’s regional and global integration.
In November 2022, Israel, Jordan and the UAE signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) for Project Prosperity. This is her two-part project to supply Israel with clean energy (Prosperity Green) and Jordan with demineralized water (Prosperity Blue). The agreement, brokered by Presidential Special Envoy for Climate John Kerry, will strengthen the region’s integration and resilience in the face of climate change.
As part of efforts to promote a two-state solution and regional peace, the United States plans the first two years of the directed five-year funding program ($100 million tranches) under the Nita M. Loewy Middle East Peace Partnership. I’m here. Law to Strengthen People-to-Person Relations between Israelis and Palestinians (MEPPA). MEPPA’s first award, announced in March 2022, will help the Israeli and Palestinian private sectors build partnerships, foster economic growth and lay the foundations for peace through people-to-people ties.
economic relations
The economic and commercial relationship between the United States and Israel is strong, supported by approximately $50 billion in bilateral trade in goods and services annually. Several treaties and agreements, including the 1985 US-Israel Free Trade Agreement (FTA), have strengthened economic ties between the two countries. Since her FTA signing in 1985, the United States has become Israel’s largest trading partner.
To promote economic cooperation, we will convene our annual Joint Economic Development Group (JEDG) to discuss economic partnerships and potential growth areas. The United States and Israel also coordinate scientific and cultural exchanges through the Bilateral Science Foundation, the Bilateral Agricultural Research and Development Foundation, the Bilateral Industrial Research and Development Foundation, and the United States-Israel Educational Foundation. In July 2022, the United States and Israel will hold a strategic high-level dialogue on technology to partner on key emerging technologies to address global challenges.
The link between education and culture
Exchanges between the United States and Israel include a wide variety of cultural, educational, and professional programs. About 17,000 Israelis are graduates of programs such as:
- Fulbright program. The Department of State has assisted more than 3,400 US and Israeli citizens through this major academic exchange program.
- International Visitor Leadership Program (IVLP). IVLP runs an exchange program for emerging Israeli leaders and professionals.
- UGRAD and Education USA. These programs allow Israeli students to study in the United States. 2,027 Israelis participated in his 2021-2022 academic year.
- English access: 700 students and teachers participate in this language program each year.
- American Space (Jerusalem): In 2022, the State Department-managed space will attract 3,662 visitors and present 249 programs on topics such as civil society, democracy and the rule of law, women’s empowerment, and STEM to 8,656 participants. bottom.
- art program. U.S.-sponsored arts programs include a virtual residency in environmental arts and exchanges between Arab and Israeli youth centered around hip-hop, spoken word, and urban dance aimed at fostering grassroots reconciliation .
For more information, visit the Israel page on the State Department website.
