Israel could leave Ukraine without access to new US weapons, WP reports
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu with US President Donald Trump (photo: Getty Images)
Israel blocked the transfer of Iron Dome air defense systems from the United States to Ukraine in 2023, even though the missile batteries had been funded by the US government. Veto power by Israel is now once again at the center of a debate with direct implications for arms supplies to Ukraine, according to The Washington Post.
How Israel blocked military aid to Ukraine
In 2023, the late Republican Senator Lindsey Graham led an effort to help protect Ukrainian civilians from Russian attacks by supporting the transfer of US-based Iron Dome batteries to Ukraine.
However, the plan was blocked by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who vetoed the transfer.
Why Israel said it blocked that transfer
Netanyahu cited the terms of the joint production agreement, which gives Israel the final say over how the system is used, even though the missile batteries themselves were paid for by the US government.
The Israeli Embassy in Washington defended the veto, saying there were concerns that the technology could ultimately fall into Iran's hands. It also noted that Israel had instead returned Patriot batteries to the United States, allowing them to be sent to Ukraine.
US lawmakers are now seeking to expand defense cooperation with Israel beyond missile defense to include biological defense, artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, and directed-energy systems.
The proposal is included in the $1.15 trillion defense policy bill approved by the House of Representatives last week.
The initiative is backed by Netanyahu, pro-Israel lawmakers from both parties, and the influential lobbying group AIPAC.
However, it faces opposition from progressive Democrats and some conservative Republicans, who are attempting to block the bill in the Senate.
"It compromises our sovereignty and hurts our national security by limiting our options. The missile systems we wanted to transfer to Ukraine were stationed in the southwest United States and paid for by US taxpayers, but Israel vetoed it," Democratic Senator Chris Van Hollen said.
Ukraine, Israel compete for missile supplies
The debate over the legislation coincided with visits to Washington by Netanyahu and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. Their simultaneous appeals for US support have effectively placed the two American allies in competition for limited military resources.
According to the newspaper, during a meeting with President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, US President Donald Trump said it would be difficult to fulfill Ukraine's request for 300 Patriot interceptor missiles because those munitions are being consumed in the war with Iran.
State Department's point of view
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, one of the strongest Israel supporters in Trump administration, said he is not concerned about Israel's ability to veto arms exports to third countries.
Rubio noted that such restrictions are standard in any joint weapons production agreement. At the same time, he praised the idea of closer cooperation between the US and Israeli defense industries.
As previously reported, Trump recently expressed doubts about granting Ukraine a license to manufacture Patriot interceptor missiles.
As for Israel's position, Netanyahu said back in 2023 that his government had made no decision to supply Ukraine with lethal weapons and would limit its assistance to humanitarian aid and civil defense.
