United States-Israel Relationship

Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken will travel to Israel on March 26th-28th, where he will meet with Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennett, Foreign Minister and Alternate Prime Minister Yair Lapid, Defense Minister Benny Gantz, and President Isaac Herzog. The Secretary will underscore the unwavering U.S. commitment to Israel's security, discuss the challenges posed by Iran, and engage on Israeli-Palestinian issues. While in Israel, the Secretary will also participate in the historic Negev Summit with his counterparts from Bahrain, Egypt, Israel, Morocco and the United Arab Emirates.

The United States-Israeli Partnership is Rock Solid

• The United States and Israel are strong partners and friends. Americans and Israelis are united by our shared commitment to democracy, economic prosperity, and regional security. Our partnership has never been stronger.

• The United States is unwavering in its commitment to Israel's security, and regional stability. The FY 2022 appropriations act includes an additional $1 billion for Israel's Iron Dome defense system consistent with the Administration's request. The U.S. strongly supports the expansion and deepening of relationships between Israel and Arab and Muslim countries under the Abraham Accords.

• Our relationship is deep and enduring, we have a strong bilateral relationship and support Israel strengthening peaceful relations with its neighbors. We believe Palestinians and Israelis equally deserve to live safely and securely, and enjoy equal measures of freedom, prosperity, and democracy.
• The United States is firmly committed to Israel's security. This includes addressing Iran's destabilizing behavior in the region, and never allowing Iran to acquire a nuclear weapon.

The U.S. is Committed to Israel's Security

• The U.S. commitment to Israel's security remains ironclad and has long enjoyed bipartisan support, the United States and Israel will continue to work together to counter a range of regional threats.

• We have seen the Iron Dome system, which our nations developed together, save the lives of countless innocent civilians. And the President has been clear that we will replenish Israel's Iron Dome system to support its ability to defend itself in the future.

• The United States remains dedicated to maintaining Israel's Qualitative Military Edge, consistent with U.S. law.
• In 2016 the United States and Israel signed a 10-year, $38 billion Memorandum of Understanding on U.S. foreign defense aid. Our commitment to Israel's security is also supported by our robust defense cooperation and a variety of exchanges with Israel, including joint military exercises, research, and weapons development.

Strong Economic and Educational Ties

• The U.S.-Israel economic and commercial relationship is strong, anchored by bilateral trade of close to $50 billion in goods and services annually.

• In December 2021, the U.S. and Israel held the 36th annual meeting of the U.S.-Israel Joint Economic Development Group (JEDG), the premier bilateral economic policy dialogue between our two nations. The annual dialogue is a testament to our long-standing cooperation and further strengthens our respective economies.

• The United States and Israel coordinate scientific exchanges through the Binational Science Foundation (BSF), the Binational Agricultural Research and Development Foundation (BARD), and the Binational Industrial Research and Development Foundation (BIRD).  These institutions facilitate important academic exchange benefitting progress in science in Israel and the U.S.

• The State Department, together with the Israeli government, has supported more than 3,400 American and Israeli students and scholars through the Fulbright program, the United States government's flagship international exchange program. The program has promoted joint research and scholarship between Americans and Israelis that has helped build lasting connections and increased knowledge-sharing across institutions.

• The U.S. Embassy in Israel provides outstanding Israeli students opportunities to study in the United States through the UGRAD, EducationUSA, and Fulbright Student Program. The Embassy also supports English language learning in Israel through the English Access Microscholarship program and the English Language Fellows Program.

• The U.S. Embassy in Israel supports programs and exchanges for Israeli graduate students, faculty, rising leaders, and professionals, including through the Fulbright Visiting Scholar program and the International Visitor Leadership Program.