Israel signs landmark $38 billion military aid deal with US
The US and Israel on Wednesday signed a memorandum of understanding under which the Jewish state will receive $38 billion worth of military aid over the next 10 years. US National Security Advisor Susan Rice said at the signing ceremony in Washington that "We affirm today the unbreakable bond between the United States and Israel" and that "the US will always be there for the state of Israel and the Israeli people." Retired IDF Brig. Gen. Yaakov Nagel, acting head of Israel's National Security Council who negotiated the deal, said "Israel has no better friend, no more reliable strategic ally, no more important partner than the United States of America." He added that "Israel does not take the military aid package for granted," saying it "will enable Israel to better defend itself, by itself."
Meanwhile, Israeli Prime Minister Benyamin Netanyahu expressed gratitude to US President Barack Obama and members of Congress, saying "This agreement will ensure an unprecedented level of defense aid for Israel in the next decade. This is the largest military aid package the US has ever given out to any nation."