Ever tried to track down exactly how much does the US send to Israel? It’s a mess. Honestly, if you look at official government dashboards one day and then check a research report from a university like Brown the next, the numbers don’t even look like they’re talking about the same planet.
Most people think it’s just a single check written every year. It’s not. It’s more like a massive, multi-layered subscription service that includes store credit, emergency top-ups, and "invisible" costs that rarely make the evening news.
The $3.8 Billion Baseline (and why it's misleading)
Since 2019, the baseline has been roughly $3.8 billion per year. This comes from a 10-year Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) signed back during the Obama administration. It’s a long-term promise that runs through 2028.
But here is the catch: that's just the starting line.
In the last couple of years, the actual cash flow has exploded. Between October 2023 and late 2025, researchers from the Costs of War project estimate the US has spent over $21.7 billion on military aid to Israel alone. That is a staggering jump. It’s not just "aid" anymore; it’s a full-scale industrial pipeline.
Where that money actually goes
Most of this isn't a suitcase of cash.
- Foreign Military Financing (FMF): This is basically a gift card. Israel has to spend it on US-made weapons. This keeps American defense contractors like Lockheed Martin and Raytheon very, very busy.
- Missile Defense: About $500 million of that annual baseline is specifically for systems like the Iron Dome, David’s Sling, and the Arrow 3.
- Emergency Supplementals: When things get "hot," Congress votes for more. In April 2024, they approved an extra $14.3 billion.
How much does the US send to Israel in 2026?
As we sit here in 2026, the conversation has shifted.
We’ve seen recent moves like Secretary of State Marco Rubio fast-tracking about $4 billion in military aid early in 2025 using emergency authorities. But there's a weird twist. Benjamin Netanyahu recently hinted that Israel might not even seek to renew that $3.8 billion annual package when it expires in a couple of years. He’s talking about "industrial sovereignty."
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Basically, Israel wants to build more of its own stuff without having to ask permission from Washington every time they want to move a battery.
The "Hidden" Costs
There is also the money that isn't technically "sent" to Israel but is spent because of Israel.
The US has spent between $9.6 billion and $12 billion on military operations in the Red Sea and Yemen—aimed at protecting shipping lanes and countering threats tied to the conflict in Gaza. If you’re a taxpayer, that money is leaving the same pot, even if it doesn't show up on a "Foreign Aid to Israel" spreadsheet.
It's not just about the money
You'll hear people say this aid is "charity." Others say it's an "investment."
The argument for it usually centers on the fact that nearly 75% of this aid must be spent in the United States. It supports roughly 20,000 American jobs. From a cold, hard business perspective, it's a massive subsidy for the US defense industry.
On the flip side, critics point out that Israel is a high-income country. Its GNI per capita is over $53,000. They argue that sending billions to a wealthy nation while the US faces domestic infrastructure issues is a tough sell for the average voter.
The shifting 2026 landscape
Politics in 2026 are... complicated.
We’ve seen the deployment of the THAAD (Terminal High Altitude Area Defense) system along with US troops to operate it. This is a level of direct involvement that goes beyond just sending crates of ammo.
The US also provides about $9 billion in loan guarantees. This doesn't cost the US anything upfront, but it lets Israel borrow money at much lower interest rates because the US is basically co-signing the loan.
What most people miss
People often forget that economic aid—money for roads, schools, or tech—was actually phased out years ago. Today, almost 99% of the aid is military.
If you want to track the real impact, you have to look at the Foreign Military Sales (FMS) cases. As of mid-2025, there were over 750 active cases valued at nearly $40 billion. These are long-term deals for F-35s and heavy munitions that will play out over the next decade.
Actionable Insights: How to Track the Spending
If you really want to keep an eye on where the money is going without the political spin, here is how you do it:
- Check the USAID Greenbook: This is the official historical record. It's usually a year or two behind, but it's the gold standard for verified data.
- Monitor Congressional Research Service (CRS) Reports: These are written for members of Congress. They are incredibly dry but refreshingly neutral. Look for the "U.S. Foreign Aid to Israel" updates.
- Look at the "Drawdown" Authority: This is when the President sends weapons directly from US warehouses. It’s faster than the usual budget process and often signals a major escalation in support.
The total amount the US sends is rarely a single, static number. It's a moving target influenced by regional wars, US domestic politics, and the lobby for defense manufacturing. Whether you see it as a vital security pillar or a bloated expense, the scale—now totaling over $317 billion (inflation-adjusted) since WWII—is objectively massive.
If you are looking for the most current numbers for the current fiscal year, keep a close watch on the "Emergency Supplemental" bills. That's where the real "bonus" money lives.