Editor's Notes: Israel-US alliance after the aid is gone must become a partnership, not an MoU

Israel's defense establishment is actively seeking to redefine its relationship with the United States, moving away from a status of receiving 'aid' towards a more reciprocal 'partnership.' This strategic shift is becoming evident as talks open for a replacement to the current $38 billion, 10-year Memorandum of Understanding (MOU), which expires in 2028. Israeli officials, including Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, have publicly stated the goal is to transition from an aid recipient to a partner.

The concept of a 'Memorandum of Partnership' (MOP) is gaining traction, reflecting a mutual desire from both governments to end the traditional aid framework. This proposed shift signifies a desire for a relationship based on shared interests and mutual benefit, rather than one characterized by donor-recipient dynamics. Even financial advisors within the Israeli military acknowledge that the direct financial aid, while significant, is the least crucial aspect of the broader relationship.

The article suggests that the impending debate in Washington over 'ending aid to Israel' is focusing on the wrong question. Both governments, it argues, are already aligned on phasing out the aid structure. The critical issue is not whether the aid will end, but what will replace it and how this new framework will be structured. The traditional vocabulary of 'aid,' 'assistance,' and 'generosity' used to describe the alliance is seen as a significant political weakness, making the relationship vulnerable to shifts in political moods.

Critiques of the evolving relationship are emerging from various political spectrums in the U.S. Some, like former White House chief of staff Rahm Emanuel, argue for treating Israel as a customer for weapons sales rather than a recipient of subsidies. Others, from both the progressive and America First flanks, question new defense technology initiatives. Think tanks and pro-Palestinian activists also raise concerns about the transparency and nature of U.S. funding flowing to Israeli defense firms. However, the article posits that these critiques often overlook the fundamental shift towards a partnership, with some even acknowledging the relationship is not shrinking but evolving.

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The time has now arrived for us to move from aid recipient to partner.