Israel is reportedly seeking a new 20-year security agreement with the United States, aiming to both double the usual duration and incorporate ‘America First’ provisions to garner support from the Trump administration. Discussions surrounding this potential Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) have been ongoing, albeit delayed due to the conflict in Gaza.
According to sources familiar with the matter, initial talks have explored two key changes to the existing security framework. The first proposal involves extending the agreement’s lifespan from the standard 10 years to 20, aligning it with Israel’s centennial celebrations in 2048. This extended timeframe would provide long-term strategic assurance.
The second proposed alteration focuses on redirecting a portion of the aid funds towards joint US-Israeli research and development initiatives, rather than solely allocating it to direct military assistance. This shift aims to foster collaboration in areas such as defense technology, artificial intelligence applications for defense, and the ‘Golden Dome’ missile defense project.
An Israeli official stated that this approach is designed to appeal to the Trump administration’s ‘America First’ ethos, as it could potentially benefit the US military. “This is thinking outside the box,” the official reportedly said. “We want to change the way we deal with previous agreements and focus more on American-Israeli cooperation. The Americans are impressed with this idea.”
While the previous agreement allocated approximately $4 billion annually in military aid to Israel, it is expected that Israel will seek to maintain at least this level of funding in any new arrangement. However, securing such an agreement may prove more challenging now, given growing frustrations with Israel, even within segments of the ‘Make America Great Again’ base. Negotiations are anticipated to be technically and politically complex, considering opposition to foreign aid and partisan concerns regarding Israel’s actions in Gaza.
