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U.S. Military Aid Is Greatly Appreciated in Israel

(Ha'aretz) Moshe Arens - After the Yom Kippur War, when the Israel Defense Forces had to be rebuilt and rearmed, U.S. military aid to Israel equaled 20% of Israel's gross domestic product and covered about half the Israeli defense budget. Most of the equipment the IDF acquired came from the U.S. The quality edge, so essential to Israel, was provided by American arms that were superior to the Soviet arms in the hands of Israel's enemies. This was assistance that Israel needed for its survival, both from an economic and a military point of view. Much has changed in the past 42 years. Israel has prospered, and in most areas, with the exception of fighter aircraft, the IDF's quality edge in weaponry is the product of Israeli research and development. At the present time, U.S. military assistance equals 1.5% of Israel's GDP and covers a little over 20% of Israel's defense budget. Whatever the final form and shape of the U.S. military aid package for Israel now under discussion, it will be greatly appreciated in Israel. The writer served as Israel's Minister of Defense three times and once as Minister of Foreign Affairs.
2016-08-22 00:00:00
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