The United States has pledged to grant Israel $2.16
billion in military aid for 2004 and treat the Jewish state as a NATO member
in connection with American military sales.
Officials said the pledge was relayed by the United States during its
annual strategic dialogue with Israel last week in Washington. The dialogue
discussed Israel's military needs as well as strategic threats in the Middle
East.
Officials said Congress would still have to approve the aid for fiscal
2004. But they said they did not expect any opposition from either House or
Senate.
"As part of this year's U.S.-Israel Joint Security Assistance Planning
presentation, the United States and Israel exchanged letters on November 15
which confirmed that the United States intends to provide Israel 2.16
billion dollars in foreign military assistance in fiscal 2004," the State
Department said. "These letters emphasize that this administration fully
appreciates the dangers Israel faces from proliferation and conventional
arms build-ups in the region, as well as acknowledges the substantial risks
Israel has taken to pursue peace."
The State Department said the United States has reiterated its
committment to maintain Israel's edge over its adversaries in the Middle
East. The statement said the Bush administration would evaluate Israel's
requests for advanced military equipment and technology on the same basis as
sales to NATO members.
"These letters affirm this administration's commitment to maintaining
and enhancing Israel's security and qualitative edge over any combination of
adversaries and displays the full confidence and interest we place in the
important advantages the US-Israeli strategic relationship have and will
continue to provide us," the statement said.
Officials said the U.S. aid set for fiscal 2004 does not represent any
major increase in funding. The United States has been increasing military
aid to Israel by $60 million annually until 2006. The increase in military
aid is in exchange of the reduction of twice the amount of Israeli economic
aid provided by the United States. Israel receives about $800 million in
economic aid.
Israel also plans to ask the United States for up to $10 billion in loan
guarantees. Officials said a formal request by Israel would be relayed to
Washington over the next week. Israeli Finance Ministry director-general
Ohad Marani has arrived in Washington to discuss the issue with
administration officials.