Israelis don't pay for the weapons we 'sell' to them — US taxpayers do
Why it matters: U.S. taxpayers fund billions in arms for Israel, including 22,000 bombs, through the FMF program.
- U.S. taxpayers are identified as the primary funders of U.S. arms sales to Israel, with the vast majority of deals, including $6.7 billion in recent sales, being financed through the Foreign Military Financing (FMF) program.
- Senators Bernie Sanders, Chris Van Hollen, Jeff Merkley, and Peter Welch filed Joint Resolutions of Disapproval to block $659 million in President Trump-approved bomb sales to Israel, citing concerns over Israel's actions in Gaza, Iran, and Lebanon.
- The Trump administration is criticized for expecting U.S. taxpayers to fund both its own military operations and Israel's, with the article asserting that 'sales' to Israel are misleadingly reported as such when the funding source is FMF.
- Israel receives at least $3.3 billion annually through the FMF program, which functions as a 'gift card' for purchasing U.S. weapons, with only one recent $1.98 billion tactical vehicle deal showing any Israeli 'National Funds' contribution alongside FMF.
U.S. taxpayers, not Israel, are largely funding billions in U.S. arms sales to Israel through Foreign Military Financing (FMF), a practice highlighted by senators opposing recent bomb sales to the Netanyahu government. Senators Bernie Sanders and Chris Van Hollen argue that these 'sales' are effectively taxpayer-funded gifts, undermining economic justifications and raising concerns about U.S. involvement in regional conflicts.
