The United States has a longstanding commitment to Israel's security, as emphasized by US Secretary of State Antony Blinken during a press conference in Paris. Blinken highlighted that this commitment has remained consistent across both Democratic and Republican administrations, with successive agreements between the two countries providing military assistance to Israel amounting to about $3 billion annually over a 10-year period.
Recent reports suggest that the US is nearing approval for the sale of up to 50 American-made F-15 fighter jets to Israel, in a deal estimated to be valued at over $18 billion. Blinken underscored that the primary objective behind such arms transfers is to support Israel's self-defense capabilities, replenish stocks and supplies, and deter potential conflicts.
Addressing concerns about the timing of these arms sales in relation to recent conflicts, Blinken clarified that many of these agreements were approved years before specific events, emphasizing that the complexity of such systems often requires significant lead time for implementation.
Furthermore, Blinken assured that each arms transfer adheres to established policy requirements, with the Biden administration going above and beyond legal obligations to keep Congress informed about these transactions. He also highlighted the broader strategic context of US-Israel relations, noting that the threats posed by entities like Hezbollah, Iran, and other regional actors underscore the importance of bolstering Israel's defense capabilities.
The proposed $18 billion sale of F-15 fighter jets represents a significant component of the ongoing US-Israel security partnership, aimed at enhancing Israel's ability to address a range of security challenges in the region.
