supporting our ally: a guide to u.s. security assistance to israel

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Dear Member of Congress,

On Feb. 9, President Obama released his fiscal year 2017 budget, including $3.1 billion in security assistance for Israel. This critical funding is in accordance with the 2007 U.S.-Israel Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on Security Assistance.

With the current MOU set to expire in 2018, negotiations are currently underway on a new agreement to help ensure Israel has the resources to defend itself—by itself.

America and Israel are sister democracies with shared values. The United States has long defined Israel’s survival and security as important to its own national interests, and security assistance is the most tangible expression of its support for the Middle East’s sole democracy.

In the enclosed packet, you will find information detailing key facts and figures about Israel’s mounting security challenges, its increasing defense needs, and the indispensable role Congress plays in ensuring Israel’s safety and the strength of the U.S.-Israel relationship. We encourage you to carefully review these materials.

With growing turmoil and instability in the Middle East—and so much at stake for the United States and Israel—continued support of our strategic ally is more important than ever.

Thank you for your commitment to a strong U.S.-Israel relationship and a safer world.

Sincerely,

Lillian PinkusAIPAC President

Howard KohrAIPAC Chief Executive Officer

Richard FishmanAIPAC Vice Chief Executive Officer

March 22, 2016

U.S. SECURITY ASSISTANCE TO ISRAEL

CHANGING REGION

MOUNTING THREATS:

IRAN

HEZBOLLAH

HAMAS

SYRIA

ISIS IN THE SINAI PENINSULA

ISRAEL’S URGENT DEFENSE REQUIREMENTS

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History & TermsThe United States has supported Israel politically since its inception in 1948. But it was not until the late 1960s that it began to regularly provide security assistance to the Jewish state. Since then, America has consistently provided Israel with security assistance to help it stay strong and deter its enemies.

Security Assistance: By means of its annual foreign aid bill, U.S. security assistance to Israel is the most tangible manifestation of American support for the Jewish state. Assistance primarily takes the form of funding for Israel to purchase the arms needed to defend itself from its adversaries.

QME: A core element of American policy is to maintain Israel’s qualitative military edge (QME)—the ability to counter and defeat any credible conventional military threat while sustaining minimal damages and casualties. In 2008, Congress wrote America’s long-standing commitment to Israel’s QME into law and required the president to continually assess whether Israel’s QME is being maintained.

Memoranda of Understanding: In 1998, the United States and Israel signed their first 10-year “Memorandum of Agreement on Security Cooperation” to increase security assistance to Israel while phasing out economic aid. Under the agreement, the United States committed to providing Israel $21.3 billion in security assistance. In 2007, America committed to provide $30 billion under a new 10-year Memorandum of Understanding (MOU).

U.S. SECURITY ASSISTANCE

The U.S.-Israel relationship is built on an unshakable commitment to shared values and interests. America and Israel are sister democracies dedicated to the rule of law, human rights, and freedoms of speech and religion. The United States has long defined Israel’s survival and security as important to its own national interests. Accordingly, America provides Israel with security assistance that helps the Middle East’s only democracy defend itself—by itself—against mounting security threats.

A TINY NATION

Israel is about the size of New Jersey–America’s 4th smallest state. The entire country could fit inside Lake Michigan. It has a population of about eight million people, and has peace treaties with only two of its neighbors–Egypt and Jordan.

TO ISRAEL

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Serving American Interests Anchor of Stability: In an increasingly uncertain Middle East, Israel is the one stable democratic ally upon which America can consistently depend. Cooperation between the two countries in intelligence, homeland security, missile defense and counterterrorism has helped the United States meet its growing security challenges. U.S. support for Israel helps deter regional conflict by making clear to potential foes that they cannot defeat the Jewish state.

Supporting American Jobs: Seventy-five percent of security assistance provided to Israel is spent in the United States. This spending boosts the U.S. defense industry and helps support thousands of high-quality American jobs across the country.

Israeli Innovation: As a result of the strong friendship between Israel and the United States, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) and the U.S. military share technologies and techniques that greatly benefit both nations. Israel has pioneered cutting edge technologies in cyber weapons, unmanned vehicles, sensors and electronic warfare systems, and advanced defenses for military vehicles. In addition, Israeli battlefield medical technologies have saved countless American lives. The innovative use of U.S. military equipment by the IDF, coupled with shared know-how, has helped the U.S. military improve its own equipment and tactics.

Crucial to Israel’s SecurityMounting Threats: Israel faces a significant array of threats stemming both from direct challenges to the Jewish state and from the growing chaos gripping the region. To its north, Israel confronts terrorist groups including Hezbollah and the Islamic State; to its south, Israel faces Hamas in Gaza while jihadist terrorists roam the Sinai Peninsula. Israel’s greatest threat remains Iran, which can use its renewed access to more than $100 billion in frozen assets to help fuel its own military buildup and its support for regional destabilization. These threats, combined with evolving and emerging challenges require Israel to strengthen its armed forces.

Increasing Costs: To deal with the region’s mounting threats, Israel— a tiny nation the geographic size of New Jersey—has been forced to spend more on defense as a percentage of its GDP than any other nation in the industrialized world. The rising costs of advanced weaponry only compound Israel’s challenges. For example, a single F-35 Joint Strike Fighter will cost Israel more than $110 million, over twice the cost of an F-16 fighter jet purchased under the first U.S.-Israel agreement in 1998.

WHAT’S NEXT

As part of its strategic alliance with Israel, the United States provides security assistance to Israel under the framework of 10-year MOUs. The current MOU expires in 2018, and bilateral discussions are underway on the terms of a new agreement to help ensure the Jewish state can successfully defend itself.

BURDEN OF DEFENSE SPENDING

Israel spends nearly 6 percent of its gross domestic product (GDP) on defense–the highest proportion in the industrialized world.

TO ISRAEL

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» Since 2011, ravaged by civil war

» Danger that the Assad regime may transfer arms and residual WMD to terrorist groups or successor regimes

» Iran’s involvement in the conflict a strategic threat to Israel

» A terrorist breeding ground for groups like ISIS and al-Qaida

SYRIA

» Three Hamas-instigated conflicts with Israel since 2008

» Hamas acquiring additional weapons and rebuilding attack tunnels

» Since October 2015, persistent violence by Palestinian terrorists against Israeli civilians

» Palestinians refuse to return to negotiations; seek to delegitimize Israel in the international arena

WEST BANK/GAZA

» Since 2007, Hezbollah—an Iranian-backed terrorist organization—has dramatically increased its political and military power in Lebanon

» Hezbollah has 150,000 rockets and missiles, in future conflicts will be able to launch up to a thousand rockets per day into Israel

» Experiencing violent spillover from Syria, absorbing approximately 1.5 million Syrian refugees

LEBANON IRAQ

» Two governments forcefully overthrown since 2011

» Facing substantial economic and political challenges

» A dramatic increase in domestic terrorism endangering stability and harming tourism

» Sinai Peninsula increasingly lawless with militant Islamists growing in power

EGYPT

Since the 2007 Memorandum of Understanding between

the United States and Israel, the Middle East has changed

drastically, and with it the security challenges to the

Jewish state.

ALGERIA

LIBYA

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UNITED ARABEMIRATES

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LEBANONCYPRUS SYRIA

IRAQ

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REGIONCHANGING

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» Received access to over $100 billion in previously frozen assets following nuclear deal—part of which will fuel increased terrorism

» Possesses stockpile of advanced missiles capable of striking Israel, U.S. forces and other U.S. allies

» Significantly bolstering Hezbollah’s rocket and missile arsenal

» Actively inflaming Syrian civil war and destabilizing Iraq and Yemen

IRAN » Government has fallen into Iran’s orbit of influence

» ISIS controls nearly one-fifth of Iraq’s territory

» Violent, destabilizing sectarian and ethnic divisions have reemerged

IRAQ

» Absorbing approximately 1.4 million Syrian refugees, creating immense economic and societal challenges

» Battling a surge of jihadi extremism and ideology

» Pro-Western monarchy being challenged by extremists

JORDAN » Embroiled in both Syrian and Yemen conflict

» Economy under pressure from plummeting oil prices leading to cutbacks in domestic subsidies

» Domestic repercussions growing from regional contest with Iran

» Dealing with Hezbollah-led attacks originating from Yemen

SAUDI ARABIA

ALGERIA

LIBYA

GREECE

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UNITED ARABEMIRATES

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BAHRAIN

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JORDAN

ISRAEL

LEBANONCYPRUS SYRIA

IRAQ

EGYPT

IRAN

MONT.

ITALY CRO.

SLO.

AUS.

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SPAINPORTUGAL

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SUDAN

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Iran poses the most significant threat to Israel’s survival. Ideologically committed to the destruction of the Jewish state, Iran’s top leaders frequently make explicit calls for Israel’s annihilation. In 2015, Tehran and the international community struck a deal, which resulted in Iran temporarily reducing its nuclear capabilities and the release of more than $100 billion in frozen assets. As the world’s leading state sponsor of terrorism, Iran is now positioned to increase funding to its terrorist proxies and to bolster its weapons and ballistic missile arsenals.

Iran is keeping its nuclear options open. The Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) required Iran to ship most of its enriched fuel out of the country, disable the Arak reactor, and temporarily store most of its centrifuges. But the deal also allowed Iran to retain most of its nuclear infrastructure while enhancing its capabilities to build nuclear weapons at a future date. When key provisions of the JCPOA expire in 15 years, Iran will claim full legal authority to construct an industrial-sized nuclear program. With this capability, Iran could rapidly break out to a bomb and ultimately pose an existential threat to Israel.

Iran supports Palestinian terrorism. Iran provides significant financial and material support to Palestinian terrorist groups, including Hamas and Palestinian Islamic Jihad. With this support, Hamas has dramatically bolstered the size, accuracy and range of its rocket arsenal – which Iran replenished following each of the three large-scale conflicts it provoked with Israel. Iranian expertise can also be seen in Hamas’ complex underground tunnel network. Although Hamas-Iran ties have been strained of late due to Hamas opposition to Syria’s Assad regime, Iran claims to have helped rearm Hamas and reconstruct its attack tunnels since its 2014 conflict with Israel.

Iran is bolstering its conventional military capabilities. Iran is planning to upgrade its air force with advanced Russian fighters, which will enable it to challenge Israeli air superiority. Iran will also deploy the Russian S-300 surface-to-air missile system later this year, which will diminish the ability of Israel’s air force to operate freely. Such Iranian procurements can diminish Israel’s qualitative military edge and ultimately erode Israeli deterrence.

Iran’s top leaders frequently make explicit calls for Israel’s annihilation.

IRAN

In 15 years, Iran will claim full legal authority to construct an industrial-sized nuclear program.

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Iran’s current ballistic missiles can already reach Israel, other U.S. allies and regional U.S. military bases.

Iran will deploy the Russian S-300 missile system later this year, which will diminish the ability of Israel’s air force to operate freely.

Iran’s ballistic missile program is dangerous, and continues to grow. Iran possesses the largest, most diverse stockpile of ballistic missiles in the Middle East. In fall 2015, when Iran’s United Nations Security Council restrictions were still in place, Iran illicitly test launched two new classes of ballistic missiles, the Emad and the Ghadr-110; both are more sophisticated than Iran’s current Shahab-3 ballistic missiles, which can already reach Israel, other U.S. allies and regional U.S. military bases. Iran claims it has enhanced the accuracy of the Emad and can guide it towards targets. If true, this missile will place additional pressures on Israel’s missile defenses.

Iran funds and arms Hezbollah. Based in Lebanon, the terrorist group acts as a de facto arm of Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), receiving political, economic and diplomatic support in addition to military training. In addition to an estimated $800 million to $1 billion in annual support, Hezbollah has received massive weapons transfers from Iran, to include assistance stockpiling nearly 150,000 rockets and missiles that put all of Israel within range. In 2006, Hezbollah provoked a war with Israel during which it launched dozens of rockets each day into the Jewish state. Israeli military planners estimate that in any future conflict, the group will be able to launch up to one thousand rockets daily.

Iran is using the civil war in Syria to move forces close to Israel. Tehran has deployed as many as 2,000 of its IRGC troops to Syria. These IRGC units provide supply, training and direction to tens of thousands of Syrian army forces, Hezbollah terrorists, and Shia militiamen drawn from Iraq, the Gulf, Pakistan and Afghanistan. Some of these forces operate on Israel’s northern border, bringing Iran’s malign influence directly to Israel’s doorstep. Tehran currently spends an estimated $2 billion per month in Syria—a figure that will likely increase as Iran begins to enjoy the benefits of sanctions relief.

THE WAY FORWARD

The United States has long defined Israel’s survival and security as important to its national interests. Accordingly, America provides Israel—the sole democracy in the Middle East—with annual security assistance to help it defend itself, by itself, against mounting threats across the region. Security assistance is currently provided at levels established by a 10-year Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the allies. The current MOU expires in 2018, and discussions are underway to renew and expand the terms of the next agreement. The two countries also pursue cooperative programs, including missile defense and tunnel detection; the latest joint effort is the David’s Sling missile defense system, set to become operational in 2016. America must continue to ensure that Israel has the resources to purchase the weapons and develop the systems needed to respond decisively to threats ranging from Hezbollah to a potential nuclear armed Iran.

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HEZBOLLAHHezbollah is an imminent threat to Israel. Situated along Israel’s northern border, in Beirut’s suburbs, and throughout the Bekaa Valley, Hezbollah supports Palestinian terrorists and maintains an advanced military arsenal exceeding that of many national armies. With an estimated 150,000 rockets and missiles, Hezbollah is positioned to inflict significant casualties and damage throughout Israel. Israeli security planners consider Hezbollah and its arsenal of rockets to be one of the greatest threats facing Israel today.

Hezbollah is a terrorist organization.Hezbollah (“Party of God”) is an Iranian-founded, Lebanon-based Shia Islamist terrorist organization. Hezbollah has killed more Americans than any other terrorist group except al-Qaida, including 241 U.S. servicemen in the October 1983 U.S. Marine Corps barracks bombing in Beirut. In 1995, the United States designated it a Foreign Terrorist Organization. Hezbollah operates as a “state within a state,” and dominates the Lebanese political system. Led by Shia clerics, it follows the doctrines of the late Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini—leader of Iran’s Islamic Revolution of 1979 and founder of the Islamic Republic of Iran.

Hezbollah is an Iranian proxy. Hezbollah acts as a de facto arm of Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) and receives political, economic, and diplomatic backing from Iran, in addition to sophisticated weaponry and military training. Iran is likely to increase this support in 2016 as economic sanctions against Tehran lift as a result of the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action. Hezbollah operatives train and fight alongside IRGC troops in Lebanon and Syria, and IRGC officers serve within Hezbollah’s command ranks. Based on this success, Iran has extended this model to Iraq, where tens of thousands of Shia militia now answer to IRGC and Hezbollah-trained officers.

Hezbollah possesses an advanced rocket and missile arsenal.In 2006, Hezbollah provoked a war with Israel during which it launched thousands of rockets into densely populated areas of northern Israel. Today, Hezbollah’s extensive arsenal includes several thousand long-range, high-precision, heavy rockets and missiles capable of reaching all of Israel. Military planners estimate that Hezbollah will be able to launch thousands of rockets per day in a future conflict, compared to the 2006 rate of one hundred per day.

Hezbollah is motivated by the political and religious ideology of the late Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini—leader of Iran’s Islamic Revolution of 1979 and founder of the Islamic Republic of Iran.

M O U N T I N G T H R E AT S T O I S R A E L : H E Z B O L L A H

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Hezbollah is challenging Israel’s air superiority and threatening it from underground.Hezbollah can threaten Israeli military and civilian aircraft deep within Israel. Hezbollah reportedly possesses advanced surface-to-air missile systems, including Russian designed shoulder-mounted SA-7s and SA-17 mobile platforms. The SA-17 system can engage up to 24 targets simultaneously at high altitudes at a distance of up to 30 miles—far into northern Israel. Hezbollah also uses Unmanned Aerial Vehicles to collect intelligence; these drones can be weaponized to launch rockets or serve as directed bombs. It is also believed that Hezbollah is constructing offensive infiltration tunnels into Israel, similar to Hamas’ tunnels in Gaza.

Hezbollah fights for the Assad regime in Syria.Hezbollah has gained significant battlefield experience and expertise from fighting alongside the Iranian Quds Force and Syrian dictator Bashar al-Assad’s army against the Syrian rebels and ISIS. Now entering its fourth year of heavy fighting, Hezbollah’s 6,000-8,000 troops deployed in Syria have become so crucial to Assad’s war effort that it often spearheads and organizes joint military attacks, and many Syrian units reportedly will not fight without Hezbollah forces in the lead.

Hezbollah uses human shields. Hezbollah has placed Lebanese civilians at extreme risk in any future conflict by implanting its forces, missiles, and weapons caches in civilian areas. Local inhabitants—including men, women and children—are exploited as human shields by the terrorist group positioning its weaponry within homes, mosques and schools. Today, virtually all of southern Lebanon is a Hezbollah fortress of underground bunkers, rocket launch sites and interconnecting tunnels.

Hezbollah has killed more Americans than any other terrorist group except al-Qaida, including 241 U.S. servicemen in the October 1983 U.S. Marine Corps barracks bombing in Beirut.

Hezbollah has an estimated 150,000 rockets and missiles, including several thousand long-range, high-precision, heavy rockets capable of reaching all of Israel’s major population centers.

THE WAY FORWARD


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HAMASHamas—a designated terrorist organization by the United States and the European Union—poses an immediate, ongoing threat to Israel and its citizens. The group is constructing an enormous infrastructure with which to attack Israeli communities, including a broad network of terror tunnels rebuilt with funds diverted from international humanitarian assistance to the Palestinians. At the same time, six million Israelis are now within range of an estimated 10,000 Hamas rockets.

Hamas is dedicated to Israel’s destruction. Founded in 1987 as an offshoot of the Egyptian Muslim Brotherhood, Hamas (“Islamic Resistance Movement”) rules the Gaza Strip and seeks Israel’s destruction. Since its inception, Hamas has murdered more than 500 Israeli civilians. And since 2007, when the group violently overtook the Gaza Strip, it has provoked three wars with the Jewish state. Hamas has received substantial financing and armaments from Iran. In addition to Hamas, other smaller jihadist militant organizations operate in Gaza, including Palestinian Islamic Jihad and Islamic State (ISIS) affiliates.

Hamas is rapidly rebuilding its attack tunnels.Hamas is rapidly rebuilding its attack tunnels. During the 2014 war, Israel uncovered and destroyed 32 Hamas tunnels, which penetrated into Israel from Gaza. These tunnels were intended to threaten Israeli communities and kidnap and kill Israelis. Fewer than two years later, an estimated 1,000 Hamas workers are rebuilding the attack tunnel network, diverting materials provided by the international community to rebuild Gaza’s homes and civilian infrastructure. Israeli citizens residing near Gaza report hearing digging sounds beneath their communities.

Hamas is smuggling weapons and dangerous materials into Gaza.In 2015, Israel prevented nearly 1,000 Hamas smuggling operations to import weapons and other illicit materials into Gaza. The contraband included rocket components, explosives, rocket fuel, drones and banned dual-use items. In addition, scuba diving equipment was confiscated, demonstrating Hamas’ continued investment in naval infiltration operations against Israel. During the 2014 war, four Hamas divers attempting to perpetrate terror attacks reached Israel’s Zikim Beach. Since Operation Protective Edge, according to Israeli military experts, Hamas has doubled the size of its naval commando force.

Hamas was founded in 1987 as an offshoot of the Egyptian Muslim Brotherhood. The group has murdered more than 500 Israeli civilians. Since 2007, it has provoked three wars with Israel.

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Gaza-based terrorists indiscriminately fire missiles at Israeli civilians.Gaza-based terrorist groups have fired more than 17,000 rockets into Israel since 2001. Israel’s Iron Dome rocket defense system has provided significant protection from such attacks, but cannot totally eliminate the threat. In 2014, hundreds of rockets and mortar attacks—including missiles fabricated using Iranian techniques and longer-range Iranian rockets—forced Israel to launch a defensive operation known as Operation Protective Edge. Dozens more rockets have been fired into Israel since hostilities officially ended.

Hamas ignores international law and custom by putting civilians at risk.During the 2014 war, Hamas indiscriminately targeted Israeli population centers with hundreds of rockets. It also held Gaza’s population hostage by using residential neighborhoods as military bunkers—from which it fired rockets—and converting a hospital into its operation center. Hamas exploited Israel’s ethical reluctance to fire on civilians by placing noncombatants around military targets. Over the course of the conflict, Hamas ignored or violated at least ten cease-fires negotiated with Israel.

Hamas seeks to destabilize the West Bank, oust the PA.Hamas’ leader in Gaza, Ismail Haniyeh, praised the recent onset of violence by terrorists from the West Bank and east Jerusalem, and called for an Intifada in the West Bank. Subsequently, Israel and the Palestinian Authority (PA)—which rules the West Bank—uncovered West Bank-based Hamas cells preparing violent attacks against Israeli civilians, as well as other actions meant to destabilize the West Bank. During the 2014 summer war, Israel’s internal security service thwarted a Hamas coup attempt in the West Bank aimed at overthrowing PA President Mahmoud Abbas and instigating a new round of violence. In addition, Israel and the PA have broken up Hezbollah and other Iranian-sponsored terrorist cells in the West Bank.

Since 2001, Gaza-based terrorist groups have fired more than 17,000 rockets into Israel, primarily targeting civilians.

Hamas’ leader in Gaza, Ismail Haniyeh, praised the recent onset of violence by terrorists from the West Bank and east Jerusalem, and called for an Intifada in the West Bank.

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Before plunging into civil war, Syria was the most significant threat to Israel of all its bordering adversaries. Located to Israel’s northeast, the country has been war-ravaged since 2011. Iran, Russia and Hezbollah have supported Syrian dictator Bashar al-Assad’s government in fighting rebel militias and radical jihadi groups including the Islamic State (ISIS) and al-Qaida. Israeli security planners are concerned that these groups will ultimately turn south to attack Israel.

Syria still poses a threat to Israel.After five years of grueling civil war, the Assad regime’s military capabilities are substantially reduced and the bulk of its chemical weapons are destroyed. Nonetheless, Syria’s residual missiles remain a threat to Israel, as is the potential transfer of arms and chemical weapons or know-how to terrorist groups.

Syria is a terrorist melting pot that menaces Israel.Syria has become a hotbed for radical jihadist groups, and the conflict is attracting new recruits at an accelerating rate. At present, these terrorist organizations fight the Assad -Iran-Russia-Hezbollah alliance, but they have made no secret of their long-term ambition to attack and destroy Israel. Both ISIS and al-Qaida operate near the Israel-Syria border, threatening Israel directly through possible infiltration and rocket fire. They also attempt to win over the Arab population with their jihadist ideology. ISIS released its first Hebrew language video in October 2015, which promised that “not a single Jew will remain alive in Jerusalem.”

Syrian refugees strain regional governments.More than four million people have fled Syria since 2011, mostly to Turkey, Lebanon and Jordan. These countries are struggling to find the material and financial resources to support the massive influx of refugees. And for important allies like Jordan, the resulting instability imperils existing leadership and societal structures. Beyond the Middle East, Syrian refugees are also straining several European countries.

Syria has become a hotbed for radical jihadist groups, and the conflict is attracting new recruits at an accelerating rate.

SYRIA

Iran is laying the foundation for a long-term presence in Syria, similar to its presence in Iraq, by infiltrating its economy and civil society to create a durable web of dependency.

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Russia’s 2015 introduction of the S-400 missile defense system in Syria, which has a range encompassing all of Syrian airspace and half of Israel’s, now challenges the Jewish state’s control of its own skies.

Both ISIS and al-Qaida operate near the Israel-Syria border, threatening Israel directly through possible infiltration and rocket fire.

Russian involvement complicates Israel’s strategic approach to Syria.For decades, Israel’s regional air supremacy deterred its enemies, and its reported strike on Syrian nuclear facilities in 2007 thwarted Damascus’ nuclear program. But Russia’s 2015 introduction of the S-400 missile defense system in Syria, which has a range encompassing all of the country’s airspace and half of Israel’s, now challenges the Jewish state’s ability to strike emerging threats. Israel has vowed to continue preventative strikes against shipments of sophisticated weaponry to Hezbollah, but the presence of Russian forces in Syria complicates Israel’s equation.

Iran’s entry into Syria places a long-term, strategic threat on Israel’s border.Iran has deployed as many as 2,000 of its’ own Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) troops to Syria, which provides supplies, training and direction to tens of thousands of Syrian army forces, Hezbollah terrorists, and Shia militiamen drawn from Iraq, the Gulf, Pakistan and Afghanistan. Some of these forces operate on Israel’s northern border, bringing Iran’s malign influence directly to Israel’s doorstep. Iran strives to maintain control over western Syria to preserve its proximity to Israel and its supplies line to Hezbollah—its primary terrorist proxy, Assad’s most valuable fighting force, and an imminent threat to Israel. Iran is laying the foundation for a long-term presence in Syria, similar to its presence in Iraq, by infiltrating its economy and civil society to create a durable web of dependency. It is likely that Iran will refocus its Syrian activities on Israel if the Assad regime or its successor stabilizes its grip on the country.

THE WAY FORWARD


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ISIS IN THE SINAI PENINSULASituated along Israel’s southern border, the Sinai Peninsula is experiencing the highest level of instability since 1979, when Israel agreed to return it to Egypt in exchange for peace. Today, the Sinai Peninsula is home to a formidable chapter of the Islamic State (ISIS), which is increasingly engaging the Egyptian army. ISIS openly states its intention to attack the Jewish state, and violence threatens to spill into Israel.

ISIS is operating in the Sinai Peninsula.The Sinai chapter of ISIS, also known as Sinai Province, was formally established in late 2014, when the Sinai-based Salafist-jihadi group Ansar Bayt al-Maqdis (ABM) pledged its allegiance to the “caliphate.” Previously, ABM had declared war on the Egyptian government following the 2013 overthrow of Egyptian President Mohammad Morsi. ISIS’ estimated 2,000 Sinai fighters have inflicted hundreds of casualties on the Egyptian army. In November 2015, it claimed responsibility for the bombing of a Russian Metrojet flying out of Sharm el-Sheikh, killing all 224 people on board.

ISIS possesses a small but versatile arsenal.ISIS’ arsenal contains a small but diversified cache of weapons, including anti-tank and anti-air systems—mostly transferred from Libya— as well as Grad rockets, rocket propelled grenades, mortars, and advanced shoulder-mounted anti-aircraft systems. The group reportedly has coordinated weapons transfers from Hamas in Gaza, and is attempting to secure additional advanced weaponry.

ISIS is proving resilient.Heavy fighting between the Egyptian army and ISIS is now entering its fifth year, but the Sinai Peninsula is no closer to being secured. Egyptian forces have deployed twelve brigades—a total of 10,000 troops—in Zone C of the Sinai, which directly borders Israel. These units include an armored brigade and a regiment of counter-terrorism special forces. Egypt has brought Apache helicopters, fixed-wing aircraft, artillery, and armor to the fight. By contrast, ISIS’ fighting force is approximately one-fifth the size of the Egyptian forces. Despite taking hundreds of casualties, ISIS appears to be increasing in numbers and capacity. In August 2015, hundreds of its fighters carried out five simultaneous attacks on Egyptian security facilities. Despite harsh Egyptian retaliation, ISIS has been able to conduct further attacks.

Heavy fighting between the Egyptian army and ISIS is now entering its fifth year, but the Sinai Peninsula is no closer to being secured.

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ISIS intends to target Israel. ISIS has openly declared its intentions to attack Israel. Before joining ISIS, the group was originally known as Ansar Bayt al-Maqdis—“Supporters of the Holy House [Jerusalem’s Temple Mount].” Its core ideology demanded the “liberation” of Jerusalem. ABM demonstrated its intentions by launching missiles into Israeli population centers, conducting multiple attacks on Israeli soldiers, and firing a rocket into Israel’s southern port of Eilat. ABM, and now ISIS, specifically list Egypt’s alliance with Israel as a reason to target the Egyptian army.

Israel has been forced to take defensive action.Given the threats facing Israel from ISIS and other elements attempting to penetrate Israel, the IDF has been forced to strengthen its border defenses. Israel has completed a 15-foot-high security fence along its entire 125-mile long border between the Negev desert and the Sinai Peninsula at an estimated cost of more than $450 million. It has also increased land patrols along its border with Egypt and naval patrol activity in the Mediterranean Sea and the Gulf of Aqaba. As Egypt has destroyed smuggling tunnels between Gaza and the Sinai Peninsula, smugglers have moved further south requiring the IDF to maintain a constant presence.

ISIS has openly declared its intentions to attack Israel.

As Egypt has destroyed smuggling tunnels between Gaza and the Sinai Peninsula, smugglers have moved further south requiring the IDF to maintain a constant presence.

THE WAY FORWARD


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INCREASED THREATS & INCREASED NEEDS:

Due to dramatically increased security threats, Israel must substantially increase its investments in new technologies, systems and intelligence capabilities to maintain its qualitative military edge (QME).

As part of the U.S.-Israel strategic alliance, America provides security assistance to Israel under the terms of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) which expires in 2018. The United States and Israel are negotiating the terms of a new MOU designed to help Israel meet the heightened security challenges of a deteriorating Middle East. Israel is a key U.S. partner and ally, and it is in America’s national interest to ensure the Jewish state has sufficient resources to effectively defend itself.

THE THREAT: ADVANCED MISSILES AND ROCKETS

Israelis live each day under the threat of attack by rockets,

missiles and armed drones. As terrorist organizations acquire larger and more sophisticated arsenals, this hazard is escalating. Hamas and Hezbollah—supplied and supported by Iran—have the capability to accurately hit all of Israel’s major population centers. Iran also continues to enhance its own ballistic missiles, which could be used to strike Israel with unconventional warheads.

ISRAEL’S NEED: IMPROVED ROCKET AND MISSILE DEFENSES

With America’s support, Israel has developed and deployed a multi-layered missile defense shield. The Iron Dome system now protects against short-range rocket attacks. In 2016, Israel will make operational the David’s Sling system, which defends against medium-range heavy rockets and cruise missiles, and likely the Arrow-3 system, which can intercept long-range, unconventional ballistic missiles. These systems will require ongoing investment to upgrade their capabilities against evolving threats.

THE THREAT: SOPHISTICATED ANTI-AIRCRAFT WEAPONS AND COMBAT AIRCRAFT

Hamas and Hezbollah are acquiring new surface-to-air missiles, which will challenge Israel’s air dominance. In addition, Syria, Iraq, Iran and other Persian Gulf states are purchasing large quantities of sophisticated combat aircraft and air defense missiles—potentially challenging Israel’s air superiority. In the air defense arena, Iran is slated this year to receive the advanced S-300 Russian radar-guided surface-to-air missile system, which can engage multiple aircraft simultaneously at a range of hundreds of miles.

ISRAEL’S NEED: ENHANCED AIRCRAFT NUMBERS AND CAPABILITIES

Israel has contracted for 33 F-35 Joint Strike Fighters, America’s premier combat aircraft, at an estimated cost of $110 million per plane. In coming years, as Israel modernizes its fleet, it will need to spend tens of billions of dollars to acquire additional fighters—as well as new aerial tankers, cargo planes, helicopters, the V-22 tilt-rotor transport aircraft, and precision strike aerial munitions. Israel must also upgrade its airbases and defensive infrastructure to ensure its ability to operate while under any future attack from Hamas’ or Hezbollah’s rocket bombardments.

DEFENSE REQUIREMENTSISRAEL’S URGENT

PROTECTING ISRAEL AGAINST

AERIAL THREATS

Source: IDF

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THE THREAT: NAVAL ATTACKS ON ENERGY INFRASTRUCTURE AND SHIPPING

Terrorist groups may disrupt energy production and maritime

commerce through suicide operations, missiles, attack drones or undersea mines; in 2013, Hezbollah flew a drone over Israeli gas platforms. The eastern Mediterranean is also the center of a large-scale naval buildup by neighboring states and outside powers. Accordingly, Israel faces threats to coastal energy facilities and industrial infrastructure from its border with Gaza to the port of Haifa.

ISRAEL’S NEED: STRONGER MARITIME DEFENSE

The Israeli navy has long been the smallest and least-funded of the IDF’s military branches. Israel must increase naval activity given that most trade and energy imports depend on sea transport, and Israel’s offshore energy infrastructure requires increased surveillance given recent natural gas discoveries that double the physical territory Israel must defend. The IDF requires additional defensive hardware and manpower, including modern missile defense systems, surface vessels and submarines.

THE THREAT: ADVANCED ANTI-TANK WEAPONS

Hezbollah and Palestinian terrorist groups now possess

advanced Russian and Iranian anti-tank guided missiles; during the 2006 Lebanon War, Hezbollah used them to destroy or disable three dozen Israeli tanks. Outdated armored vehicles could cost IDF lives in any future fight. Iran produces the advanced Dehlaviyeh anti-tank system, which could pose a significant threat in any conflict in the hands of the IRGC or Iranian proxies.

ISRAEL’S NEED: ENHANCED, BETTER PROTECTED ARMORED FORCES

The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) are bolstering their ground forces by deploying additional Merkava IV tanks (at a cost of $6 million each) and hundreds of Israeli-designed and U.S.-produced heavy Namer armored troop carriers (costing $3 million apiece). The IDF is equipping these vehicles with unique and expensive “active defense” anti-rocket technology to defend Israeli troops. The IDF is also developing robotic vehicles for land combat in the future.

THE THREAT: CYBER WARFARE

Iran, Syria, Hezbollah and the Islamic State are investing heavily in offensive cyber tools. During

the 2012 Gaza conflict, the Israeli government faced more than 100 million cyberattacks. The volume and sophistication of such attacks continues to increase.

ISRAEL’S NEED: ENHANCED PROTECTION FOR ELECTRONIC SYSTEMS AND ALLIED COOPERATION

Israel is a world leader in developing cyber defense capabilities, allocating tremendous resources to this new dimension of warfare. The IDF is restructuring its various cyber forces into a unified military command.

THE THREAT: GROWING USE OF TUNNEL NETWORKS

Terrorist organizations on Israel’s borders are increasingly preparing

subterranean passages to attack and kidnap soldiers and civilians. During the 2014 conflict with Hamas, Israel discovered 32 tunnels in Gaza, 14 of which crossed into Israel. These tunnels have largely been rebuilt, and Hezbollah is undertaking similar efforts.

ISRAEL’S NEED: TECHNOLOGIES TO DETECT AND COUNTER TUNNELS

Israel is developing a range of new underground detection and counter-tunnel technologies at a cost of more than $100 million. When successfully deployed, these tools will enable the IDF to meet the complex challenge of locating, mapping and destroying terrorist tunnel networks. The U.S. military is helping fund this work and is interested in the technology for its own use.


EMERGING THREATS


GROUND THREATS

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The mission of AIPAC is to strengthen, protect and

promote the U.S.-Israel relationship in ways that

enhance the security of the United States and Israel.

supporting our ally: a guide to u.s. security assistance to israel

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