Date:
Thursday, December 4, 2014
Legislation to deepen defense, energy ties, strengthen cooperation in
R&D, business, academics
BY REBECCA SHIMONI STOIL December 4, 2014, 4:31 am
WASHINGTON – The landmark USIsrael Strategic Partnership Act of 2014 passed its
final legislative hurdle and advanced to the White House for President Barack
Obama’s signature during a Wednesday evening Congressional session.
The bill passed the Senate unanimously in September.
“I am proud that the House and Senate spoke with one voice to pass this bill that reaffirms and
strengthens the relationship between the United States and Israel,” said Sen. Barbara Boxer (DCA),
one of the bill’s two original sponsors in the Senate. “I look forward to the president signing
this critical legislation.”
“This bipartisan bill demonstrates Congress’s commitment to supporting our nation’s longstanding
ally, Israel,” Senator Roy Blunt (RMO), the bill’s other sponsor added. “I thank my colleagues in
the House and Senate for their support in passing this important legislation, and I look forward to
the president signing it into law.”
The legislation deepens USIsraeli cooperation on defense and energy, and expresses “the sense
of Congress that Israel is a major strategic partner of the United States.” In addition, it authorizes
an increase of $200 million in the value of US weapons held in forward stockpiles in Israel, to a
total of $1.8 billion. In the event of an emergency, Israel can access the stockpiles as long as it
reimburses the US for any weapons used.
The bill also expands cooperation on research and development, business, agriculture, water
management and academics.
The bill requires the administration to take steps toward allowing Israel to be included in the toptier
category for licensefree exports of certain US defense technologies and products as well as to
provide more frequent and more detailed assessments on the status of Israel’s qualitative military
edge over its neighbors.
Earlier this year, Congress increased US funding for Israel’s Iron Dome missile defense system,
to $351 million for fiscal year 2015 from $235 million the previous year.
A controversial section of the Strategic Partnership bill that sought to secure a special exemption
for Israel in the Visa Waiver Program was replaced instead with language that simply states that it
shall be the policy of the United States to include Israel in the list of countries that participate in the
Visa Waiver Program when Israel satisfies — and as long as Israel continues to satisfy — the
requirements for inclusion in the program.
Members of the House on both sides of the aisle quickly congratulated the bipartisan effort in
bringing the bill to passage.
“The USIsrael relationship is based on a shared determination to defend democracy and ensure
that the people of Israel can live peacefully in their ancient homeland,” lauded House Democratic
Whip Steny Hoyer (DMD). “Those who would stand opposed to Israel’s right to exist or its
important historic role ought to see in today’s legislative action a reminder that the American
people stands shouldertoshoulder with our ally Israel as it seeks the peace and security it
deserves.”
Shortly after the bill passed, the American Jewish Committee congratulated Congress for its
“moral leadership” in passing the legislation, which proponents said would create a special status
for Israel.