Washington, DC – In response to recent proposals for the transition of the US-Israel relationship from financial assistance to joint development initiatives and increased cooperation, J Street President Jeremy Ben-Ami issued the following statement:
“J Street welcomes the emerging consensus – in Israel and the United States – that the time has come to rapidly and responsibly end America’s financial subsidies for Israel’s arms purchases.
As subsidies are phased out, we believe the US and Israel should define a new security relationship that advances both countries’ interests and is in line with American laws and values. Israel’s security is – and should remain – an American interest.
The US-Israel security partnership should be redefined in a way that ensures it is mutually beneficial. The United States and Israel share interests in missile defense, intelligence cooperation, counter-UAV technology and coordination against common threats. Ongoing cooperation in these areas can continue to advance both countries’ security interests. At the same time, given Israel’s conduct in Gaza, the West Bank and Lebanon, there must also be clear guardrails on our cooperation.
As policymakers consider new frameworks for that cooperation, J Street believes any future arrangements must include clear stipulations for transparency, accountability and oversight. Joint projects and security partnerships should be subject to the same legal standards, guardrails and congressional review that apply to US arms transfers and defense agreements.
American law must be followed and American interests must be advanced. Any new approach must not become a backdoor mechanism for recreating unconditional financial subsidies under another name. The goal should be a modernized US-Israel relationship grounded in genuine partnership, shared interests and responsible stewardship of American taxpayer dollars.”
