Our Policy
J Street believes that US security assistance to Israel plays a critical role in maintaining Israel’s security against serious external threats, and helps to advance US national interests. Throughout our history we have advocated for robust security assistance packages, including the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) negotiated between the Israeli government and the Obama administration, as well as lobbied in support of legislation to authorize and appropriate all of the aid pledged. We believe that Israel should continue to receive from the United States the full amount of security assistance outlined in the MOU: $3.8 billion per year for the duration of the agreement and support the negotiation of a new MOU as the current one comes to conclusion, in order to continue to support Israeli and American security interests. We also supported all extraordinary appropriations made to Israel outside of the annual appropriations process, including unprecedented additional aid for Iron Dome in 2021 and Israel’s defense in the wake of the October 7, 2023 attacks.
As with all nations that receive US security assistance, aid to Israel is legally subject to a number of restrictions and conditions (e.g. those in the Arms Export Control Act, the Humanitarian Aid Corridor Act, and the Leahy Law) as well as oversight and transparency requirements (e.g. those set forth in National Security Memorandum 20 and the Civilian Harm Incident Response Guidance). Israel should not be held to different standards than any other country or US aid recipient, and these US laws and policies should be consistently and impartially enforced with respect to assistance provided to Israel. As has been the case with Israel and other security partners, ensuring compliance with such laws and policies has at times necessitated suspension, withholding or increased auditing of specific deliveries of aid or arms — appropriate, measured enforcement action.
This is vital to ensure that US security aid is used to address Israel’s genuine defense needs, and not diverted to implement or sustain illegal, unilateral actions which undermine Israel’s security, trample on Palestinian rights, violate international law or contravene longstanding US interests and values. The White House and Congress should take steps to ensure that US security assistance is not diverted to implement or maintain annexation, aid the expansion of settlements, demolish Palestinian homes, or other moves that further entrench the occupation.
Though we won’t support or agree on all policy or legislative proposals, J Street is encouraged by the vibrant discussion emerging on the most effective use of US security assistance. We believe it is important to engage in these debates — not shut them down. As the Israeli government pursues increasingly destructive actions that imperil the prospects for a negotiated peace, it’s vital to consider how the US-Israel relationship should evolve to promote the genuine shared interests of both countries — and to avoid enabling the harmful agenda of the Israeli settlement movement and its allies. We will continue to support nuanced, effective and progressive positions which we believe can be implemented and can achieve broad popular support from the American Jewish community and the American people.