The massive aid deal to Israel during the war has been finalized. Zamir arrived in Washington for a series of meetings with senior officials in the U.S. government. He met at the Pentagon with Acting Under Secretary of Defense for Policy Amanda Dory and Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition Dr. William (Bill) LaPlante. He will continue to meet with additional senior officials in the administration. Accompanying Zamir at the meeting was the IDF Attaché to the U.S., Major General Hedi Silberman.
Zamir finalized with his American counterparts the implementation of the $8.7 billion American aid grant ('Biden Grant'): the first $3.5 billion was received this morning in the account of the Ministry of Defense's procurement delegation in the U.S. and will be used for essential purchases for the IDF. Additionally, Major General Zamir reached an agreement with the administration regarding the contents of the aid grant for Israel's air defense system totaling $5.2 billion. This budget will be used to further strengthen the Iron Dome, David's Sling, and the powerful laser system, which is in advanced stages of development.
The professional meetings held by the Director General of the Ministry of Defense focused on strengthening strategic security cooperation and the continuation of long-term and immediate procurement processes to maintain Israel's qualitative edge in the region and support the war effort. Zamir thanked his hosts, on behalf of Defense Minister Yoav Gallant and the security establishment, for standing by the State of Israel and for the administration's commitment to its security needs.
The Director General's visit is another expression of the deep and enduring strategic relationship between Israel and the United States, and the strong commitment of the U.S. to Israel's security and capabilities, particularly in light of threats from Iran and the terror organizations it supports in the region.
Accompanying the Director General on the visit are the Defense Attaché to the U.S., Major General Hedi Silberman; the head of the procurement delegation in New York, Abiram Hasson; the head of the 'Homa' program in the Ministry of Defense, Moshe Patal; the Ministry of Defense representative in Washington, Omar Hayim; and other senior officials.
