How Much Money Does The US Give To Israel? John Kerry Cites American 'Support' In Speech On UN Resolution

John Kerry faced a flood of criticism for what he called his “candid thoughts” on the Israel-Palestine conflict following a speech in Washington, D.C., Wednesday. The secretary of state backed up a U.S. decision not to veto a United Nations resolution establishing the illegality of Israeli settlements in occupied Palestinian territory.

Kerry defended American Ambassador to the UN Samantha Power’s refusal to vote on the resolution by pointing out that the U.S. “has done more to support Israel than any other country” and that President Barack Obama’s administration “has been Israel’s greatest friend and supporter.”

In monetary terms, he’s correct.

Over the past four and a half decades, Israel has been the largest recipient of U.S. military aid—with several exceptions, in which it was toppled temporarily by Afghanistan—and has received an average of $2.6 billion annually, according to a Congressional Research Service document. In fiscal year 2016, Israel received $3.1 billion from Washington, as it had in the two prior fiscal years.

Toward the end of President George W. Bush’s tenure, Under Secretary of State for Political Affairs R. Nicholas Burns announced that the U.S. would supply Israel, which has held a military occupation over Palestinian territories for nearly half a century, with $30 billion in military aid over 10 years. Burns called the package “an investment in peace” between Israel and the occupied Palestinians.

In September, Obama not only renewed but expanded this deal when he set in stone a $38 billion aid package, amounting to $3.8 billion per year over the next 10 years, to Israel.

While critics of Kerry have accused him of betraying an international ally and keeping Palestinians from living in what they consider to be their homeland, others have for years lambasted Israel as an “apartheid state” for its harsh treatment of the occupied Palestinians. In October, the UN categorized Israel’s settlements of nearby occupied territories as a war crime.

But pro-Israel critics of Kerry may have much to look forward to. The incoming administration is highly unlikely to stymie the flow of aid to the country. President-elect Donald Trump has not only voiced his support for Israel, but also nominated as U.S. ambassador to Israel David Friedman, the son of an Orthodox Rabbi who many consider more conservative on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict than Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu himself.