Subscribe to Print Edition | Thu., July 24, 2008 Tamuz 21, 5768 | | Israel Time: 19:26 (EST+7) web haaretz.com   Back to Homepage Rosner's Domain Diplomacy Defense Jewish World Opinion National Print Edition Car Rental Books Haaretz Magazine Business Real Estate Easy Start Travel Week's End Anglo File

Last update - 05:27 17/08/2007 U.S.: No strings attached to new defense package for Israel By Barak Ravid, Haaretz Correspondent Tags: U.S., defense, Israel, aid The new $30 billion American defense package for Israel is not conditioned on diplomatic progress or concessions to the Palestinians, a top U.S. aide said Thursday as representatives from both countries signed the memorandum of understanding in Jerusalem. U.S. Under Secretary of State Nicholas Burns said the aid to Israel was meant to counter "an axis of cooperation between Iran, Syria, Hezbollah, Islamic Jihad and Hamas that is responsible for the violence in the region." T Advertisement he hike in aid constitutes a 25-percent increase to the $2.4 billion Jerusalem currently receives from Washington in annual military grants. Under the new agreement, the U.S. will transfer $30 billion to Israel over the next 10 years. U.S. officials have said the package - which was announced last month and must still be approved by Congress - is designed to reassure Israel and Sunni Muslim Gulf countries of Washington's commitment to the Middle East despite its problems in Iraq. It would also strengthen the Gulf nations in the face of the growing clout of Shi'ite Iran and its nuclear program. Under the plan, Israel would receive $2.55 billion in October 2008. This sum would increase by $150 million each year, until it reaches $3.1 billion in 2012. From that point, Israel would receive $3.1 billion a year, through 2017, for a total of $30 billion. The agreement also permits Israel to convert into shekels 26.3 percent of the aid money, enabling it to procure defense equipment from Israeli companies. The rest of the aid must be used to buy equipment from U.S. arms manufacturers. Burns signed the memorandum Thursday noon with Foreign Ministry Director General Aharon Abramovich. Burns met that morning with Bank of Israel Governor Stanley Fischer, who headed the Israeli team in negotiations with the United States. Burns then met with Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni. At a ceremony in Jerusalem, the American said that "one of the major priorities for our government ... will be to help push forward a peace agreement between Israel and the Palestinians". At a press conference following the signing, Burns said: "A strong and secure Israel is an American interest. "There is no question that ... the Middle East is a more dangerous region now even than it was 10 or 20 years ago and that Israel is facing a growing threat. It's immediate and it's also long-term," Burns told reporters. According to the memorandum, an annual review will be conducted into the manner in which Israel spends the military assistance. Prime Minister Ehud Olmert met Wednesday with Burns in preparation for Thursday's signing. Olmert asked Burns to thank U.S. President George W. Bush and Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice for their efforts in transforming into a binding agreement the understandings with Olmert that were reached during his last visit to Washington. "The aid agreement with the U.S. is an important and significant component for Israel, and proves once again the depth of the relationship between the two countries and the United States' commitment to Israel's security, and to preserving its qualitative advantage over other countries in the Middle East," Olmert said. The United States is also proposing a large weapons package for Saudi Arabia, which has historically been an Israeli enemy but has indicated a willingness to attend a U.S.-backed peace conference with Israel in the fall. Olmert has said he understands the U.S. need to bolster Saudi Arabia in facing Iran. "The increase in military aid to Israel would guarantee its strategic superiority," Olmert has said, despite upgrades to other Arab countries in the region. Bookmark to del.icio.us   A hero or a pharaoh? An Iranian film praising Sadat's assassin has touched off a row between Egypt and Iran. Primary colors Barack Obama looks to reassure Jews of his commitment to Israeli security.   1.   $30 Billion: all on credit to Asia 05:36  |  David James Vickeryc 17/08/07   2.   $30B here $100B there what does it matter anymore 05:36  |  JC 17/08/07   3.   It`s not the weapons, it`s the strategy 05:46  |  Natallie Durson 17/08/07   4.   This proves that America will not turn it`s back on Israel 06:01  |  Kipperraes 17/08/07   5.   Natalie 06:39  |  Pastor Joseph 17/08/07   6.   JC 06:43  |  Pastor Joseph 17/08/07   7.   David 06:45  |  Pastor Joseph 17/08/07   8.   #5, Pastor Joseph 07:31  |  Silvienne 17/08/07   9.   Pastor Joseph to JC 07:33  |  Silvienne 17/08/07   10.   #3, amazing nonsense, even coming from you 07:35  |  Cipora Julianna Kohn 17/08/07   11.   #1, Vickery 07:39  |  Cipora Julianna Kohn 17/08/07   12.   PACKAGE 08:12  |  colin 17/08/07   13.   # 10 Kohn: Israel loves to play the role of victim for a reason 08:39  |  Natallie Durson 17/08/07   14.   Hope accent will be on the assymetrical 09:00  |  Mark Greenbaum 17/08/07   15.   #13, Durson, more nonsense 09:48  |  Cipora Julianna Kohn 17/08/07   16.   Maybe, just maybe 09:48  |  Janice 17/08/07   17.   Problems. 09:56  |  Vitaly 17/08/07   18.   This proves that American is turning its back... to # 4 10:41  |  Mark 17/08/07   19.   A lot of money to waste on a non-ally 10:47  |  Jens 17/08/07   20.   #15 Kohn: Talk about nonsense! 10:53  |  Natallie Durson 17/08/07   21.   Jens #19 11:04  |  jjvanka 17/08/07   22.   to Natallie 11:09  |  Mark 17/08/07   23.   pastor joseph 11:26  |  realism 17/08/07   24.   To Mark 11:42  |  Natallie Durson 17/08/07   25.   To Mark (part 2) 11:49  |  Natallie Durson 17/08/07   26.   Hezbullies & Hamas fundraisers for Israel 13:19  |  Margie in Tel Aviv 17/08/07   27.   Cluster Bombs (are legal) 14:07  |  Mikhail 17/08/07   28.   #19 don"t speak for america YOU are NOT A FRIEND 15:38  |  JON FEIGENBAUM 17/08/07   29.   Mikhail 16:00  |  Thomas E. Browne 17/08/07   30.   one stipulation 16:18  |  edgar 17/08/07   31.   #13 17:14  |  Pastor Joseph 17/08/07   32.   Natalie 17:19  |  Pastor Joseph 17/08/07   33.   JON FEIGENBAUM 17:38  |  gearoid 17/08/07   34.   Cluster Bombs 17:51  |  gearoid 17/08/07   35.   The message is "no peace this conference" 18:10  |  Mark Lincoln 17/08/07   36.   Edom Joseph, you have no say 18:44  |  Shiloh 17/08/07   37.   Natallie Durson 18:47  |  Gina 17/08/07   38.   David James Vickery 18:50  |  Gina 17/08/07   39.   Natallie Durson 18:54  |  Gina 17/08/07   40.   Natallie Durson 19:00  |  Gina 17/08/07   41.   Mark Lincoln 19:06  |  Gina 17/08/07   42.   Jens 19:09  |  Gina 17/08/07   43.   Gina 19:12  |  Pastor Joseph 17/08/07   44.   #33 it IS EXACTLY as I stated 19:18  |  JON FEIGENBAUM 17/08/07   45.   POT CALLING THE KETTLE BLACK 19:22  |  JON FEIGENBAUM 17/08/07   46.   ridiculous 19:48  |  SwissPalestinian 17/08/07   47.   gearoid 19:49  |  Gina 17/08/07   48.   No strings attached 21:05  |  Morrissey 17/08/07   49.   The Apartheid State of Israel 21:07  |  Morrissey 17/08/07   50.   Honor and Courage 21:30  |  Pastor Joseph 17/08/07   51.   JON FEIGENBAUM 22:05  |  gearoid 17/08/07   52.   gina 15:03  |  gearoid 18/08/07

Read & React Sen. Joe Lieberman praises pastor who said Holocaust was God's work Responses: 109 Obama tells Haaretz: Two states for two peoples Responses: 102 Ashkenazi in U.S.: All options are on the table regarding Iran Responses: 60 Editorial: We need a U.S. leader unfettered by the Israel lobby Responses: 64 Israel Harel: Shalit must be made a burden for Hamas, rather than an asset Responses: 21 Rosner's Domain The Lebanese are undercutting goodwill in Washington (WTR) Is Jimmy Carter 'tone-deaf' to Jewish sensibilities? (WTR) Will Lebanon pay the price for the prisoner swap deal? What will Obama look for in Jerusalem (and Ramallah)? More Headlines 19:20 AG: Olmert obstructing probes against him 18:45 Settler holds knife to IDF soldier's throat in West Bank riot 09:31 Ashkenazi in U.S.: All options are on the table regarding Iran 14:53 Terror victims' relatives file NIS 450m suit against PA, Barghouti 13:36 MKs okay new West Bank homes, despite vow to freeze settlements 14:41 Study: Tel Aviv more expensive to live in than New York 15:36 Jewish World/Unwilling flag wavers? 14:11 Barack Obama tells Haaretz: Two states for two peoples 16:47 Another delay in Katsav sex crimes indictment as case transferred 06:53 After 40 years, Israel braces for return of the bedbug 16:05 Egypt shuts Iranian TV office in Cairo amid spat over Sadat film 14:51 Haredis likely behind vandalism of Jerusalem ads featuring actress 09:27 ADL condemns anti-Semitic cartoons of Obama, McCain 19:10 Pop singer Aviv Gefen pens new ballad calling to free Shalit Previous Editions Select Day 23 jul 22 jul 21 jul 20 jul 18 jul 17 jul 16 jul 15 jul 14 jul 13 jul 11 jul 10 jul

Special Offers Advertisement Fattal Hotel Chain Perfectly located hotels on best resorts of Israel. Israel's Premier Real Estate Website www. israel-property.com Dan Hotels Israel Live the Legend & experience an Unforgettable Summer Vacation Yossi Avrahami Presents: New Luxurious Projects in North Tel Aviv & Eilat Holyland Park Jerusalem Apartment Tower World Class Luxury Your vacation starts here Israel Travel Center Guaranteed Lowest Rates Hebrew Summer courses From $39.95 ISRAEL BONDS Build Israel Israel bonds - a multi-purpose way to celebrate Israel's 60th Eldan Rent a Car Israel's leading car rental company offers you a 20% discount on all online reservations Junkyard Junk a car - get free towing nationwide and a tax-deductible receipt

Home | TV | Print Edition | Diplomacy | Opinion | Arts & Leisure | Sports | Jewish World | Underground | Site rules |

Real Estate in Israel | Travel to Israel with Haaretz | Hotels Israel | Restaurants Israel | Tourist attractions Israel | Shops Israel

birthright Israel | Search engine marketing

Haaretz.com, the online edition of Haaretz Newspaper in Israel, offers real-time breaking news, opinions and analysis from Israel and the Middle East. Haaretz.com provides extensive and in-depth coverage of Israel, the Jewish World and the Middle East, including defense, diplomacy, the Arab-Israeli conflict, the peace process, Israeli politics, Jerusalem affairs, international relations, Iran, Iraq, Syria, Lebanon, the Palestinian Authority, the West Bank and the Gaza Strip, the Israeli business world and Jewish life in Israel and the Diaspora.

© Copyright  Haaretz. All rights reserved