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| US approves record $38bn Israel military aid deal | US approves record $38bn Israel military aid deal |
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| The US has agreed to supply Israel with military aid for the next 10 years in a record $38bn (£28.bn) deal - the largest in US history. | The US has agreed to supply Israel with military aid for the next 10 years in a record $38bn (£28.bn) deal - the largest in US history. |
| The pact will elevate US aid to Israel from $3.1bn a year currently to $3.8bn, officials say, but the Israelis had to make concessions to secure the money. | The pact will elevate US aid to Israel from $3.1bn a year currently to $3.8bn, officials say, but the Israelis had to make concessions to secure the money. |
| The agreement, to be signed on Wednesday, follows 10 months of talks. | The agreement, to be signed on Wednesday, follows 10 months of talks. |
| It was approved despite frustration within the Obama administration at Israeli settlement building. | It was approved despite frustration within the Obama administration at Israeli settlement building. |
| The agreement, which replaces a 10-year package set to expire in 2018, "constitutes the single largest pledge of bilateral military assistance in US history", said the state department. | |
| Israel will receive, among other things, $500m a year for missile defence programmes. | Israel will receive, among other things, $500m a year for missile defence programmes. |
| But the pact includes an undertaking that Israel will eventually spend all of the funds through the American defence industry, rather than its own military contractors. | But the pact includes an undertaking that Israel will eventually spend all of the funds through the American defence industry, rather than its own military contractors. |
| Israel must also not seek additional funds from Congress beyond what will be guaranteed annually in the new package. | Israel must also not seek additional funds from Congress beyond what will be guaranteed annually in the new package. |
| Mr Obama has sought to demonstrate his support for Israel's security in order to undercut criticism that his administration has not been supportive of its Middle East ally. | Mr Obama has sought to demonstrate his support for Israel's security in order to undercut criticism that his administration has not been supportive of its Middle East ally. |
| Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu had signalled he might wait for Mr Obama's successor in the hope of securing a better deal. | Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu had signalled he might wait for Mr Obama's successor in the hope of securing a better deal. |
| Relations have been sour between the two leaders since March 2015, when Mr Netanyahu appeared before US Congress to lobby against the Iran deal advocated by Mr Obama. | Relations have been sour between the two leaders since March 2015, when Mr Netanyahu appeared before US Congress to lobby against the Iran deal advocated by Mr Obama. |
| Officials say Mr Obama and Mr Netanyahu may meet for talks at next week's UN General Assembly meeting in New York. | Officials say Mr Obama and Mr Netanyahu may meet for talks at next week's UN General Assembly meeting in New York. |
| Israeli settlements in the West Bank and East Jerusalem have also been a sticking point between the allies. | Israeli settlements in the West Bank and East Jerusalem have also been a sticking point between the allies. |
| Only last month, the White House chided Israel for a "dramatic acceleration" in such building on occupied Palestinian territory. | Only last month, the White House chided Israel for a "dramatic acceleration" in such building on occupied Palestinian territory. |
| Washington has also said Mr Netanyahu's policies, as well as Palestinian violence, are jeopardising chances of a peace deal. | Washington has also said Mr Netanyahu's policies, as well as Palestinian violence, are jeopardising chances of a peace deal. |