Israel-US military ties at full throttle: Official
A senior Israeli official says military ties between Tel Aviv and Washington retain their ultimate strength despite apparent friction of late between the two sides,
Military relations "continue full strength. Everything concerning the security dialogue is deep, broad and intensive," said Amos Gilad, a top official at the Israeli ministry for military affairs.
"The picture is clear - security relations are extremely strong," he said and noted, "These ties will continue and are continuing."
The total American military aid to Israel has amounted to USD 100 billion since Washington began providing assistance to Tel Aviv in 1962.
The largest amount of US aid in a single year reached USD 15.7 billion in 1979, when Israel signed a peace treaty with Egypt.
For the past decades, the United States has been transferring annual aid of about USD three billion to Israel. In recent years, the aid has been solely earmarked for military purposes.
Confirmation of intensive military ties between the two came despite apparent frost in bilateral relations caused by Tel Aviv’s hardline diplomacy.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, whose term in office was extended after a surprise Tuesday win in parliamentary polls, had pledged in campaign remarks to oppose the creation of a Palestinian state.
The comments were followed by the White House’s warning that it might withdraw crucial diplomatic cover for Israel at the United Nations.
US President Barack Obama, who waited two full days to congratulate Netanyahu on his election victory, has also said he has sharp differences with Netanyahu on the Iranian nuclear issue.
HN/NN/HMV
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