One of America’s Best Investments – U.S. Military Aid to Israel

In recent years, growing voices on the far-left and extremist-right of American politics and in social media have questioned the United States continued military alliance with and support for Israel. Among the most prominent of these voices is Senator Bernie Sanders, whom last week introduced multiple “resolutions of disapproval” in the Senate to challenge U.S. arms sales to Israel (all of which were, thankfully, overwhelming voted down). While people like Sanders argue that American aid enables the conflict, and that Israel’s action to defend itself from attacks by Iran’s Islamist Supremacist axis, somehow disqualifies it from receiving U.S. military equipment, they overlook the profound strategic, technological, and humanitarian benefits the U.S. receives from its alliance with Israel. 

These anti-Israel activists, including people like former Congresswoman Cori Bush (D-Mo.), her remaining “Squad” members, and media figures such as Mehdi Hasan, often single out the Jewish state’s receipt of U.S. military aid (and try to tie it to all sorts of unresolved problems in the U.S.) all while they ignore the broader context of global U.S. foreign aid. They betray a bias that, at best, borders on antisemitism. In truth, military support for Israel remains one of the most cost-effective and mutually beneficial investments the U.S. has made in modern history.

Disproportionate “Criticism” and Misplaced Blame

It is important to recognize the inconsistency in how critics apply their criticism to all things “Israel,” including with respect to its receipt of military assistance. U.S. military aid to Israel represents a mere 0.045% of the overall federal budget. It also comes effectively in the form of a “voucher” that Israel must spend on American-made products by U.S. manufacturers. Yet Israel-haters frequently blame this tiny fraction of federal spending for U.S. domestic issues like homelessness, crime, and underfunded public services — claims that lack both fiscal logic and good faith. When Rep. Bush blamed U.S. aid to Israel for poverty and homelessness in St. Louis, or when activists expressly linked the recent Los Angeles wildfires to the same spending, they engaged in classic antisemitic scapegoating, rather than constructive critique.

Such selective criticism becomes even more suspect when one considers that for years the U.S. has given over $55 billion annually in direct foreign aid to countries around the world, many of which offer little or no tangible return on that investment. Furthermore, for over the past two decades, the U.S. has effectively subsidized the budgets of all other NATO countries by spending around 3.5% of its GDP on defense, while most other member nations have contributed barely 2%. This imbalance has cost the U.S. well over $5 trillion, all while Israel consistently spends more than 5% of its GDP on its own defense. Yet rarely is this massive European subsidy the subject of impassioned Senate speeches or viral social media outrage – and certainly none of those who focus such unique attention and/or opprobrium on Israel – have ever blamed countries like France or Denmark for homelessness in any American cities or for underfunded fire department budgets.

A Strategic Asset in a Volatile Region

Unlike many U.S. foreign aid recipients, Israel offers the U.S. far more than gratitude. It serves as a vital strategic partner in the Middle East — a region where the U.S. has few reliable allies. Ports like Haifa and Ashdod serve as secure and hospitable docking locations for the U.S. Navy and house emergency military stockpiles for rapid deployment. In contrast to the costly and chaotic redeployments in the Persian Gulf, Israel offers stability, dependability, and shared interests.

Unlike many U.S. foreign aid recipients, Israel offers the U.S. far more than gratitude. It serves as a vital strategic partner in the Middle East — a region where the U.S. has few reliable allies. 

From the Cold War to the present day, all U.S. presidents have understood that support for Israel is not charity — it is a sound investment in national security. During the Cold War, Israel served as a bulwark against Soviet influence in the Middle East. Today, it stands as a front-line of defense against radical Islamist forces and Iran’s hegemonic ambitions. In 2007, Israel independently destroyed Syria’s nuclear reactor just before it went operational, preventing Syria under the butcher Assad from being a nuclear power and averting potential regional catastrophe. These actions save the U.S. from having to intervene militarily itself — saving both money and American lives.

Intelligence and Technology Sharing

The U.S.-Israel partnership extends far beyond military operations. Israel shares critical intelligence with the U.S. on terrorism, cyber threats, and nuclear proliferation. Israeli expertise in counterterrorism, honed through decades of necessity, has helped shape American homeland security strategies. Joint efforts, like the development of the Iron Dome, David’s Sling, and the Arrow missile defense systems have enhanced both nations’ defensive capabilities. These systems not only defend Israel, but also materially inform and improve America’s missile defense infrastructure.

Israel’s contributions to military technology are nothing short of revolutionary. Israeli firms develop high-tech protective gear, drones, unmanned vehicles, and bomb-detection systems that directly benefit U.S. soldiers. These innovations save lives and keep the U.S. military at the forefront of defense technology. The same cannot be said of aid to many other nations, including Ukraine, where return on U.S. investment in terms of security and technological innovation is comparatively limited.

Innovation That Benefits the American Economy

Israel is not just a military partner — it is a global leader in technology and innovation, often dubbed the “Start-Up Nation.” Dozens of top U.S. companies have established research and development centers in Israel to harness its scientific and engineering talent. Intel’s most advanced microprocessors, for instance, were designed in Israel. Technologies fundamental to online security, instant messaging, and digital payments — such as those used by PayPal — trace their origins to Israeli innovation.

Bill Gates once noted that the “innovation going on in Israel is critical to the future of the technology business.” And indeed, the U.S. benefits directly. Cooperation between American and Israeli tech sectors have been a critical factor in the success of the U.S. information economy. Unlike other aid recipients, Israel’s innovation ecosystem directly supports the American private sector, creating jobs and economic growth on both sides of the Atlantic.

Solutions for Global Challenges

Beyond military and tech benefits, Israel provides critical solutions to pressing global problems — particularly in water conservation, agriculture and renewable energy. Israel recycles nearly 90% of its wastewater, the highest rate in the world, and pioneered technologies like drip irrigation and reverse osmosis desalination. These are not theoretical innovations — they are already in use in the U.S.

Israeli technology powers solar energy plants in California and has been instrumental in building desalination plants to help mitigate the state’s droughts. Given that California provides nearly half of the United States’ fruits, vegetables, and nuts, Israeli innovation is playing an important role in sustaining the American food supply. In a time of increasing concern over climate resilience and sustainability, this kind of international partnership is indispensable.

Bottom Line

As they generally do with all their attacks on Israel, the critics of U.S. military aid to Israel ignore facts in favor of ideology. They overlook the uniquely reciprocal relationship between the U.S. and Israel — one where both nations share intelligence, technology, defense strategies, and economic growth. They fixate on a truly minuscule portion of the federal budget while ignoring far costlier programs, including foreign aid and military programs with far less return on investment. And in doing so, they try to undermine one of the most productive alliances in modern history.

Support for Israel should not be about identity politics or special interest groups — it should be about common sense and shared values. Israel is a democratic ally, in a region dominated by authoritarian regimes and terrorist groups, including some of the most brutal, misogynist and homophobic places on earth. As Israel has repeatedly offered its hand in peace to its neighbors – since even before it declared its independence from British rule – it defends itself, innovates relentlessly, and contributes meaningfully to American security and prosperity. No other recipient of U.S. aid matches Israel’s record of delivering measurable, lasting value to America.

Whether they realize it or not, in an increasingly volatile world, those calling for the U.S. to abandon or weaken the U.S.-Israel alliance are not looking out for America’s interests. To the contrary, if their misguided, neo-Marxist, fascist, and/or hate-driven goal (to weaken Israel’s ability to defend itself) is met, then America’s interests too would be severely harmed; as totalitarian regimes around the world, and particularly in the Islamist Supremacist “Axis of Resistance,” would be celebrating and emboldened.

Micha Danzig served in the Israeli Army and is a former police officer with the NYPD. He is currently an attorney and is very active with numerous Jewish and pro-Israel organizations, including Stand With Us and the FIDF, and is a national board member of Herut North America.