Negotiations meant to enshrine US defense aid for Israel over the next decade have snagged on disputes about the size, scope and fine print of a new multibillion-dollar package, officials say.
Five months into the talks, several US and Israeli officials disclosed details about the disputes to Reuters on condition of anonymity. The US and Israeli governments said negotiations were continuing, declining to elaborate.
Israel is seeking up to $10 billion more than the current 10-year package and billions more than the US administration is offering, partly by asking for guaranteed funding for missile defense projects hitherto funded on an ad hoc basis by the US Congress, the officials said.
US President Barack Obama wants to ensure the funds, thus far spent partly on Israeli arms, are eventually spent entirely on US-made weapons.