Findings
Congress makes the following findings:
(1) Since 1948, United States Presidents and both houses of Congress, on a bipartisan basis and supported by the American people, have repeatedly reaffirmed the special bond between the United States and Israel, based on shared values and shared interests.
(2) The Middle East is undergoing rapid change, bringing with it hope for an expansion of democracy but also great challenges to the national security of the United States and our allies in the region, particularly to our most important ally in the region, Israel.
(3) The Government of the Islamic Republic of Iran is continuing its decades-long pattern of seeking to foment instability and promote extremism in the Middle East, particularly in this time of dramatic political transition.
(4) At the same time, the Government of the Islamic Republic of Iran continues to enrich uranium in defiance of multiple United Nations Security Council resolutions.
(5) A nuclear-weapons capable Iran would fundamentally threaten vital United States interests, encourage regional nuclear proliferation, further empower Iran, the world's leading state sponsor of terror, and pose a serious and destabilizing threat to Israel and the region.
(6) Over the past several years, with the assistance of the Governments of the Islamic Republic of Iran and Syria, Hizbollah and Hamas have increased their stockpile of rockets, with more than 60,000 now ready to be fired at Israel. The Government of the Islamic Republic of Iran continues to add to its arsenal of ballistic missiles and cruise missiles, which threaten Iran's neighbors, Israel, and United States Armed Forces in the region.
(7) As a result, Israel is facing a fundamentally altered strategic environment.
(8) Pursuant to chapter 5 of title 1 of the Emergency Wartime Supplemental Appropriations Act, 2003 (Public Law 108–11; 117 Stat. 576), the authority to make available loan guarantees to Israel is currently set to expire on September 30, 2012.
Statement of policy
It is the policy of the United States:
(1) To reaffirm our unwavering commitment to the security of the State of Israel as a Jewish state. As President Barack Obama stated on December 16, 2011, "America's commitment and my commitment to Israel and Israel's security is unshakeable." And as President George W. Bush stated before the Israeli Knesset on May 15, 2008, on the 60th anniversary of the founding of the State of Israel, "The alliance between our governments is unbreakable, yet the source of our friendship runs deeper than any treaty.".
(2) To help the Government of Israel preserve its qualitative military edge amid rapid and uncertain regional political transformation.
(3) To veto any one-sided anti-Israel resolutions at the United Nations Security Council.
(4) To support Israel's inherent right to self-defense.
(5) To pursue avenues to expand cooperation with the Government of Israel both in defense and across the spectrum of civilian sectors, including high technology, agriculture, medicine, health, pharmaceuticals, and energy.
(6) To assist the Government of Israel with its ongoing efforts to forge a peaceful, negotiated settlement of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict that results in two states living side-by-side in peace and security, and to encourage Israel's neighbors to recognize Israel's right to exist as a Jewish state.
(7) To encourage further development of advanced technology programs between the United States and Israel given current trends and instability in the region.
United States actions to assist in the defense of Israel and protect United States interests
It is the sense of Congress that the United States Government should take the following actions to assist in the defense of Israel:
(1) Seek to enhance the capabilities of the Governments of the United States and Israel to address emerging common threats, increase security cooperation, and expand joint military exercises.
(2) Provide the Government of Israel such support as may be necessary to increase development and production of joint missile defense systems, particularly such systems that defend against the urgent threat posed to Israel and United States forces in the region.
(3) Provide the Government of Israel assistance specifically for the production and procurement of the Iron Dome defense system for purposes of intercepting short-range missiles, rockets, and projectiles launched against Israel.
(4) Provide the Government of Israel defense articles and defense services through such mechanisms as appropriate, to include air refueling tankers, missile defense capabilities, and specialized munitions.
(5) Provide the Government of Israel additional excess defense articles, as appropriate, in the wake of the withdrawal of United States forces from Iraq.
(6) Examine ways to strengthen existing and ongoing efforts, including the Gaza Counter Arms Smuggling Initiative, aimed at preventing weapons smuggling into Gaza pursuant to the 2009 agreement following the Israeli withdrawal from Gaza, as well as measures to protect against weapons smuggling and terrorist threats from the Sinai Peninsula.
(7) Offer the Air Force of Israel additional training and exercise opportunities in the United States to compensate for Israel's limited air space.
(8) Work to encourage an expanded role for Israel with the North Atlantic Treaty Organi zation (NATO), including an enhanced presence at NATO headquarters and exercises.
(9) Expand already-close intelligence cooperation, including satellite intelligence, with Israel.
Reports required
(a) Report on Israel's qualitative military edge (QME)
(1) In general
Not later than 180 days after July 27, 2012, the President shall submit to the Committee on Foreign Relations of the Senate and the Committee on Foreign Affairs of the House of Representatives a report on the status of Israel's qualitative military edge in light of current trends and instability in the region.
(2) Substitution for quadrennial report
If submitted within one year of the date that the first quadrennial report required by section 201(c)(2) of the Naval Vessel Transfer Act of 2008 (Public Law 110–429; 22 U.S.C. 2776 note) is due to be submitted, the report required by paragraph (1) may substitute for such quadrennial report.
(b) Reports on other matters
Not later than 180 days after July 27, 2012, the President shall submit to the appropriate congressional committees a report on each of the following matters:
(1) Taking into account the Government of Israel's urgent requirement for F–35 aircraft, actions to improve the process relating to its purchase of F–35 aircraft, particularly with respect to cost efficiency and timely delivery.
(2) Efforts to expand cooperation between the United States and Israel in homeland security, counter-terrorism, maritime security, energy, cyber-security, and other related areas.
(3) Actions to integrate Israel into the defense of the Eastern Mediterranean.
Definitions
In this chapter:
(1) Appropriate congressional committees
The term "appropriate congressional committees" means—
(A) the Committee on Appropriations, the Committee on Armed Services, the Committee on Foreign Relations, and the Select Committee on Intelligence of the Senate; and
(B) the Committee on Appropriations, the Committee on Armed Services, the Committee on Foreign Affairs, and the Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence of the House of Representatives.
(2) Qualitative military edge
The term "qualitative military edge" has the meaning given the term in section 2776(h)(2) 1 of this title.
United States-Israel cooperation on energy, water, homeland security, agriculture, and alternative fuel technologies
(a) In general
The President is authorized, subject to existing law—
(1) to undertake activities in cooperation with Israel; and
(2) to provide assistance promoting cooperation in the fields of energy, water, agriculture, and alternative fuel technologies.
(b) Requirements
In carrying out subsection (a), the President is authorized, subject to existing requirements of law and any applicable agreements or understandings between the United States and Israel—
(1) to share and exchange with Israel research, technology, intelligence, information, equipment, and personnel, including through sales, leases, or exchanges in kind, that the President determines will advance the national security interests of the United States and are consistent with the Strategic Dialogue and pertinent provisions of law; and
(2) to enhance scientific cooperation between Israel and the United States.
(c) Cooperative research programs
The Secretary of Homeland Security, acting through the Director of the Homeland Security Advanced Research Projects Agency and with the concurrence of the Secretary of State, is authorized, subject to existing law, to enter into cooperative research programs with Israel to enhance Israel's capabilities in—
(1) border, maritime, and aviation security;
(2) explosives detection;
(3) emergency services; and
(4) cybersecurity.
(d) Authorization of appropriations
There is authorized to be appropriated to carry out this section $2,000,000 for fiscal year 2021.
Other matters of cooperation
(a) In general
Activities authorized under this section shall be carried out with the concurrence of the Secretary of State and aligned with the National Security Strategy of the United States, the United States Government Global Health Security Strategy, the Department of State Integrated Country Strategies, the USAID Country Development Cooperation Strategies, and any equivalent or successor plans or strategies, as necessary and appropriate.
(b) Development of health technologies
(1) In general
There is authorized to be appropriated to the Secretary of Health and Human Services $4,000,000 for fiscal years 2021 through 2023 for a bilateral cooperative program with the Government of Israel that awards grants for the development of health technologies, which may include health technologies listed in paragraph (2), subject to paragraph (3), with an emphasis on collaboratively advancing the use of technology and personalized medicine in relation to COVID–19.
(2) Types of health technologies
The health technologies described in this paragraph are technologies such as, drugs and vaccines, ventilators, diagnostic tests, and technologies to facilitate telemedicine.
(3) Restrictions on funding
Amounts appropriated pursuant to paragraph (1) are subject to a matching contribution from the Government of Israel.
(4) Option for establishing new program
Amounts appropriated pursuant to paragraph (1) may be expended for a bilateral program with the Government of Israel that—
(A) is in existence on the day before January 1, 2021, for the purposes described in paragraph (1); or
(B) is established after January 1, 2021, by the Secretary of Health and Human Services, in consultation with the Secretary of State, in accordance with the Agreement between the Government of the United States of America and the Government of the State of Israel on Cooperation in Science and Technology for Homeland Security Matters, done at Jerusalem May 29, 2008 (or a successor agreement), for the purposes described in paragraph (1).
(5) Public availability
The Secretary shall require, as a condition of any grant awarded under this subsection, that all research publications and results of such research, including basic and applied research, shall be made publicly available on the website of the Department of Health and Human Services.
(c) Coordinator of United States-Israel Research and Development
(1) In general
The President may designate the Assistant Secretary of State for the Bureau of Oceans and International Environmental and Scientific Affairs, or another appropriate Department of State official, to act as Coordinator of United States-Israel Research and Development (referred to in this subsection as the "Coordinator").
(2) Authorities and duties
The Coordinator, in conjunction with the heads of relevant Federal Government departments and agencies and in coordination with the Israel Innovation Authority, may oversee civilian science and technology programs on a joint basis with Israel.
(d) Office of Global Policy and Strategy of the Food and Drug Administration
(1) In general
It is the sense of Congress that the Commissioner of the Food and Drug Administration should seek to explore collaboration with Israel through the Office of Global Policy and Strategy.
(2) Report
Not later than one year after January 1, 2021, the Commissioner, acting through the head of the Office of Global Policy and Strategy, shall submit a report describing the benefits to the United States and to Israel of opening an office in Israel for the Office of Global Policy and Strategy to—
(A) the Committee on Foreign Relations of the Senate;
(B) the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions of the Senate;
(C) the Committee on Foreign Affairs of the House of Representatives; and
(D) the Committee on Energy and Commerce of the House of Representatives.
(e) United States-Israel Energy Center
There is authorized to be appropriated to the Secretary of Energy $4,000,000 for fiscal year 2021 to carry out the activities of the United States-Israel Energy Center established pursuant to section 17337(d) of title 42.
(f) United States-Israel Binational Industrial Research and Development Foundation
It is the sense of Congress that grants to promote covered energy projects conducted by, or in conjunction with, the United States-Israel Binational Industrial Research and Development Foundation should be funded at not less than $2,000,000 annually under section 17337(b) of title 42.
(g) Omitted
(h) Annual policy dialogue
It is the sense of Congress that the Department of Transportation and Israel's Ministry of Transportation should engage in an annual policy dialogue to implement the 2016 Memorandum of Cooperation signed by the Secretary of Transportation and the Israeli Minister of Transportation.
(i) Cooperation on space exploration and science initiatives
The Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration shall continue to work with the Israel Space Agency to identify and cooperatively pursue peaceful space exploration and science initiatives in areas of mutual interest, taking all appropriate measures to protect sensitive information, intellectual property, trade secrets, and economic interests of the United States.
(j) Research and development cooperation relating to desalination technology
Not later than one year after January 1, 2021, the Director of the Office of Science and Technology Policy shall submit a report that describes research and development cooperation with international partners, such as the State of Israel, in the area of desalination technology in accordance with section 9(b)(3) of the Water Desalination Act of 1996 (42 U.S.C. 10301 note) to—
(1) the Committee on Foreign Relations of the Senate;
(2) the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources of the Senate;
(3) the Committee on Foreign Affairs of the House of Representatives; and
(4) the Committee on Natural Resources of the House of Representatives.
(k) Research and treatment of posttraumatic stress disorder
It is the sense of Congress that the Secretary of Veterans Affairs should seek to explore collaboration between the Mental Illness Research, Education and Clinical Centers of Excellence and Israeli institutions with expertise in researching and treating posttraumatic stress disorder.
Source: United States Code / CFR (uscode.house.gov, govinfo.gov) — U.S. federal law, public domain (17 U.S.C. § 105).
