Far from being a one-way transfer, U.S. military assistance to Israel delivers substantial strategic, economic and security returns to the United States.
I can’t count the number of times I’ve heard the question: Why does the United States give Israel $3.8 billion in military aid? Or what does the United States get in return for our $3.8 billion? If genuine, these are fair questions, and U.S. taxpayers deserve serious answers. Foreign assistance should always be judged through the lens of American interests.
Firstly, discussions about aid to Israel often begin with the assumption that the United States simply gives money away and receives little in return. That is not true and rests on an assumption that ignores both how the aid/assistance works and what the United States gains from one of its closest allies. In fact, the better way to view U.S. assistance to Israel is not as a transfer of money but as a long-term strategic investment. Then, a better question is whether that investment produced returns for the United States. Looking at intelligence cooperation, military innovation, technological development, strategic access and shared security interests, the answer is clearly yes.
Many of the benefits America receives from Israel would continue even if the aid disappeared tomorrow. Israel shares intelligence, develops military technologies and confronts common adversaries because the two countries share interests, threats and a decades-long strategic partnership. The assistance did not purchase those benefits. It helped build and strengthen a strategic partnership that now generates enormous value for both countries. The relevant question is not just whether America gets something for its investment. The question could also be whether any other recipient of American military assistance provides as much in return.
The United States provides military assistance through a program called Foreign Military Financing (FMF), which allows partner nations to purchase American-made military equipment. Egypt receives approximately $1.3 billion annually in military aid. Jordan receives almost half a billion. We maintain these programs because alliances are expected to advance American interests. Yet Israel occupies a category of its own. No other recipient of American military assistance provides the same combination of economic, security, military, innovation and strategic returns. If foreign military assistance is meant to serve American interests, then there should be clear answers to what the alliance delivers and returns on those investments.