— by David Streeter

Underscoring his commitment to the U.S.-Israel relationship, President Barack Obama requested a record $3,100,000,000 in assistance to Israel for the 2013 fiscal year. The requested amount is not just the largest assistance request for Israel ever, it is the largest foreign assistance request ever in U.S. history.

According to page 172 of the State Department’s report on the FY 2013 budget, foreign military financing to Israel has increased steadily under Obama:

• In 2011, Israel received $2,994,000,000;
• In 2012, Israel is estimated to have received $3,075,000,000; and
• In 2013, Obama requested for Israel to receive $3,100,000,000 — almost half of the entire global request for foreign military financing.

This is consistent with the ten-year Memorandum of Understanding between the United States and Israel.

The increase in funding will help the Jewish state maintain its qualitative military edge and keep its citizens secure as the Middle East continues to undergo rapid change.