Today, Congress sent a powerful message about the strength and vibrancy of the U.S.-Israel alliance, providing more than $4 billion for vital security assistance and cooperative programs. This funding makes America safer, stronger, and more prosperous, and ensures our democratic ally can defend itself from our shared enemies.

We applaud the Republicans and Democrats who worked together to fully fund the U.S.-Israel Memorandum of Understanding, including $3.3 billion in security assistance and $500 million for missile defense cooperative programs including Iron Dome and Arrow.

In this bill, the House and Senate also ensured that America works together with Israel to confront 21st century security challenges. New funding partnerships in counter-drone, counter-tunnel, directed energy, and other emerging technologies will bolster America’s capabilities and ensure that we are working with Israel to be on the cutting edge in these fields. The bill includes:

• $47.5 million for U.S.-Israel emerging technology cooperation, an increase of $27.5 million.
  
• $75 million for U.S.-Israel counter-drone and directed energy investment, an increase of $20 million.
  
• $80 million for U.S.-Israel anti-tunnel defense cooperation, an increase of $32.5 million.

In addition, many other bipartisan pro-Israel provisions are in the bill, including:

• A complete ban on funding to UNRWA, the Hamas-affiliated U.N. agency in Gaza, whose members participated in the October 7th massacre.
  
• A prohibition on funds to the International Criminal Court (ICC), the International Court of Justice (ICJ), and the U.N. Human Rights Council’s Commission of Inquiry (COI) against Israel, demonstrating American opposition to international bodies that abuse their platforms to target Israel and threaten U.S. personnel.
  
• $37.5 million for the Nita Lowey Middle East Partnership for Peace Act (MEPPA), supporting economic cooperation and people-to-people peacebuilding.
  
• $3 million for U.S.-Israel international development cooperation.

AIPAC appreciates the pro-Israel leadership demonstrated by House and Senate leaders from both parties, including Speaker Mike Johnson, House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries, Senate Majority Leader John Thune, and Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer, who worked together to strengthen and expand the U.S.-Israel relationship. We also thank the leadership of Representatives Tom Cole (R‑OK), Rosa DeLauro (D‑CT), Mario Diaz-Balart (R-FL), Lois Frankel (D-FL), Ken Calvert (R-CA), and Betty McCollum (D-MN), and the work of their colleagues in the Senate, including Senators Susan Collins (R‑ME), Patty Murray (D‑WA), Lindsey Graham (R‑SC), Brian Schatz (D‑HI), Mitch McConnell (R-KY), and Chris Coons (D‑DE).

Congress once again came together to send an unequivocal and bipartisan message of support for Israel and the U.S-Israel relationship. This strong bipartisan support reflects that the enduring partnership between the United States and the Jewish state remains stronger than ever.