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1 [1] (October 30, 2015)

handle is hein.crs/crsmthaafug0001 and id is 1 raw text is: CRS INSIGHT Aiding Israel after the Iran Nuclear Deal: Issues for Congress October 30, 2015 (IN10387) Related Policy Issue *Foreign-Aid Related Author *JeremyIIShr Jeremy M. Sharp, Specialist in Middle Eastern Affairs (jsharp!Wcrs g, 7-8687) The Obama Administration has indicated that the United States may provide Israel with additional military aid during the implementation of the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) with Iran (see CRS Report RL33222, LLL Foreign Aid to Israel and CRS Report R43333, Iran Nuclear Aveement). Although additional aid is described in terms of assuaging Israel's ongoing security concerns vis-a-vis Iran, it also may be part of a larger effort to reduce reported tensions between U.S. and Israeli leaders (see CRS Report R44245, Israel: Background and S. Relations In Brief). Ahead of Israeli Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu's November 9 meeting with President Obama at the White House, speculation has increased over how to enhance bilateral security cooperation in order to deter Iran and its allies. During congressional consideration of the , the Obama Administration sought to assure lawmakers that the United States would increase its military assistance to Israel as the JCPOA is implemented. In letters to individual members, President Obama and Secretary Kerry each wrote that the Administration is prepared to furter n r thQn the U.S. security relationship with Israel by continuing talks on a new 10-year aid agreement, increasing joint U.S.-Israeli missile defense funding, and accelerating research and development for tunnel detection and mapping technologies. Israel already is the top annual recipient of U.S. foreign assistance, including robust defense cooperation with the United States, prompting questions about how the Administration plans to further enhance Israel's security (see CRS Report R43901, SIate. ForeL-n Onerations. and Related Programs: FY2016 Budget andADArovriations). Press reports suggest that the two sides may be discussing a new Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on future U.S. military aid to Israel (subject to congressional approval) that is significantly higher than the aid levels Congress has approved for Israel pursuant to the current 10-yearMl (FY2009toFY2018). AccQrding to rsrael rAmbassador -tothe nit, xState, Ron Dermer, Discussions over a new Memorandum of Understanding between Israel and the United States, which had been on hold for some time, recently resumed in Washington. On October 28, Assistant Secretary of State for Near Eastern Affairs Anne Patterson told the Senate Foreign Relations Committee that there have been some desultory conversations about a new MOU. While it is unclear how increases in Foreign Military Financing (FMF) to Israel