In a significant move underscoring continued American support for its Middle Eastern ally, the US House of Representatives has approved a substantial military aid package for Israel. The funding, totaling $3.3 billion in Foreign Military Financing (FMF), was passed on Wednesday as part of the broader National Security, Department of State, and Related Programs Appropriations Act (NSRP) of 2026.
The legislative approval comes at a time of heightened regional instability, with the Biden administration reportedly considering additional military actions against Iran. This development follows recent hostilities between Israel and Iran, including a 12-day conflict in June that concluded with US airstrikes targeting Tehran’s nuclear infrastructure.
Unlike traditional arms sales where nations use their own funds to purchase American equipment, the FMF program represents direct taxpayer-funded assistance where the US government procures weapons from defense contractors on behalf of recipient countries. Israel remains the largest beneficiary of this program under a decade-long agreement established in 2018, which is scheduled for renegotiation in 2028.
The American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC) enthusiastically endorsed the legislation, stating: “The pro-Israel provisions in this bill further reinforce the bipartisan and ironclad support for the US-Israel partnership in Congress. These resources help ensure that our ally can confront shared strategic threats and that America has a strong and capable ally in the heart of the Middle East.”
According to research from Brown University, US military support to Israel has dramatically increased following Hamas’s October 2023 attacks and subsequent hostilities in Gaza, with total defense subsidies reaching approximately $34 billion. This figure encompasses both the standing FMF agreement and supplementary assistance provided during recent conflicts.
The comprehensive NSRP legislation allocates roughly $50 billion for State Department operations, foreign aid, and international security assistance. Notably, the bill also contains provisions prohibiting US funding for several international bodies, including the International Criminal Court, the International Court of Justice, the UN Commission of Inquiry, and completely bans support for the UN agency serving Palestinian refugees.
This latest appropriation builds upon previous defense authorizations, including the 2026 National Defence Authorisation Act passed in December, which provided additional specialized funding including $500 million for missile defense systems, $80 million for counter-tunneling operations, and $70 million for joint drone threat mitigation initiatives.