The United States and Israel reaffirm the unbreakable ties between our two countries and the continued commitment of the United States to Israel’s security. Our countries further reaffirm that the US-Israel strategic partnership rests on a foundation of shared values, shared interests, and true friendship. In addition, the United States and Israel affirm that among the values the countries share is an unwavering commitment to democracy, the rule of law, and the call of “Tikkun Olam,” which repairs the world. The leaders express their appreciation to former Prime Minister Bennett, who led the most diverse administration in Israel’s history and under whose leadership this extraordinary partnership has continued to grow from strength to strength.
Consistent with the long-standing security relationship between the United States and Israel and the unwavering U.S. commitment to Israel’s security, and particularly to maintaining its qualitative military advantage, the United States reiterates its firm commitment to maintain and strengthen Israel’s ability to deter its enemies and defend itself against any threat or combination of threats. The United States further reiterates that these commitments are bipartisan and sacrosanct, and that they are not only moral commitments, but strategic commitments that are vital to the United States’ own national security.
The United States emphasizes that integral to this commitment is a commitment to never allow Iran to obtain a nuclear weapon, and that it is prepared to use all elements of its national power to ensure that outcome. The United States further reaffirms a commitment to work with other partners to counter Iran’s aggression and destabilizing activities, whether promoted directly or through proxies and terrorist organizations such as Hezbollah, Hamas, and Palestinian Islamic Jihad.
The United States and Israel note that nothing better reflects the United States’ steadfast and bipartisan support for Israel’s security than the unprecedented security assistance Memorandums of Understanding signed by successive U.S. administrations in recent decades, and that these arrangements demonstrate in word and deed that the United States views Israel’s security as essential to American interests and an anchor of regional stability.
The United States strongly supports the full implementation of the terms of the current historic $38 billion Memorandum of Understanding, which honors the United States’ continued commitment to Israel’s security, as well as its belief that a subsequent MOU should address emerging threats and the new realities. In addition, the United States is committed to seeking additional missile defense assistance beyond MOU levels in exceptional circumstances, such as the eleven-day hostilities with Hamas in May 2021. Israel appreciates the U.S. commitment to the MOU and to providing an additional $1 billion above MOU levels in additional post-2021 missile defense funding. In addition, the countries express enthusiasm for advancing the US-Israel defense partnership through cooperation on cutting-edge defense technologies, such as high-energy laser weapon systems for the defense of the skies of Israel and in the future of other US and Israeli security partners.
Israel thanks the United States for its continued and extensive support for the deepening and expansion of the historic Abrahamic Covenants. The countries confirm that Israel’s peace and normalization agreements with the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain and Morocco are a critical addition to Israel’s strategic peace treaties with Egypt and Jordan, all of which are important to the future of its region. Middle East and for the cause of regional security, prosperity and peace. The countries note that the historic Negev Summit, initiated and hosted by Prime Minister Lapid, was a landmark event in the joint US-Israeli efforts to build a new regional framework that is changing the face of the Middle East.
The United States and Israel welcome in this regard the meeting held in Manama, Bahrain on June 27, establishing the Negev Forum for Regional Cooperation. The United States welcomes these developments and is committed to continuing to play an active role, including in the context of President Biden’s upcoming visit to Saudi Arabia, in building a strong regional architecture. to deepen the ties between Israel and all its regional partners; to advance Israel’s regional integration over time; and to expand the circle of peace to include more and more Arab and Muslim states.
The United States and Israel also welcome the opportunity to participate in a quadrilateral (hybrid) meeting, together with the leaders of India and the United Arab Emirates, under the I2U2 initiative, bringing these four countries together to advance cooperation in the economy and strategic infrastructure, and demonstrating the importance of this new partnership, first launched by their Foreign Ministers in October 2021.
The United States and Israel reiterate their concerns about the ongoing attacks against Ukraine, their commitment to the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine, and reaffirmed the importance of continued humanitarian assistance to the people of Ukraine.
The United States and Israel affirm that they will continue to work together to combat all efforts to boycott or delegitimize Israel, to deny its right to self-defense, or to unfairly single it out in any forum, including the United Nations or the International Criminal Court. While they fully respect the right to freedom of expression, they categorically reject the BDS campaign. The two countries will use the tools at their disposal to combat every scourge and source of anti-Semitism and respond whenever legitimate criticism turns to bigotry and hatred or attempts to undermine Israel’s rightful and legitimate place in the family of nations. In this context, they express their deep concern at the global explosion of anti-Semitism and reaffirm their commitment to confront this ancient hatred in all its manifestations. The United States is proud to stand with the Jewish and democratic state of Israel and its people, whose extraordinary courage, resilience, and spirit of innovation are an inspiration to so many around the world.
The United States and Israel are committed to continuing to discuss the challenges and opportunities in Israeli-Palestinian relations. The countries condemn the deplorable series of terrorist attacks against Israeli citizens in recent months and reaffirm the need to confront radical forces such as Hamas that seek to incite tension and incite violence and terrorism. President Biden reaffirms his longstanding and consistent support for a two-state solution and for progress toward a reality in which Israelis and Palestinians can enjoy equal measures of security, freedom, and prosperity. The United States stands ready to work with Israel, the Palestinian Authority, and regional stakeholders to achieve this goal. The leaders also reaffirm their shared commitment to initiatives that strengthen the Palestinian economy and improve the quality of life for Palestinians.
The United States and Israel enjoy extensive bilateral cooperation and dialogue between their two countries in many critical areas – from pioneering cooperation in science and technology, to unique information sharing and joint military exercises, to joint efforts to address pressing global challenges such as climate change. food security and health care. To complement the extensive existing scientific and technological cooperation between their two countries and take their cooperation to a new height, the leaders launched a new high-level US-Israel strategic dialogue on technology to form a US-Israel Technology Partnership in critical and emerging technologies, as well as in areas of global concern: pandemic preparedness, climate change, artificial intelligence and trusted technology. This new technology partnership will be designed to strengthen the countries’ mutual innovation ecosystems and address geostrategic challenges.
In the same vein, the United States and Israel reaffirm their commitment to continue their joint and accelerated efforts to allow Israeli passport holders to be included in the US Visa Waiver Program as soon as possible, as well as their support for increased cooperation in operational cyberspace exchange and to fight cybercrime. The leaders state that all these initiatives, and countless other joint efforts, undertaken between their peoples at every level of government and civil society demonstrate that the US-Israel strategic partnership is essential and contributes greatly to not only the good of Americans and Israeli citizens but also for the good of the Middle East and the world.
With this record of remarkable achievements, and with a sense of the incredible promise that the unparalleled US-Israel relationship holds for the future, the United States and Israel warmly welcome the entry into the 75th year of this extraordinary partnership.
Signed at Jerusalem on the 14th day of July 2022, corresponding to the 15th day of Tammuz, 5782, in the Hebrew calendar, in duplicate in the English language.
Joseph R. Biden Jr.
President of the United States of America
Yair Lapid
Prime Minister of the State of Israel
