Vance Criticizes Israel, Ex-US Military Voice Says U.S. Gains Far More From the Alliance

U.S. Vice President J.D. Vance drew a sharp response after publicly taking aim at Israeli critics of the American-brokered deal with Iran and stressing that U.S. taxpayers subsidize a large part of Israel’s defense system. In his comments, he said two-thirds of the defensive weapons protecting Israel were built by Americans and paid for with U.S. taxpayer dollars.

A military expert identified as Spencer pushed back, arguing that the alliance is not a one-way transfer of money from Washington to Jerusalem. He said Israel gives the United States intelligence, technology, battlefield experience and regional stability that are worth much more than the cost of the aid. To make that case, he used the acronym “RETURNS” to describe the strategic, economic and military value Washington gets from the relationship.

Spencer said Israel functions as a live laboratory for military innovation because it tests technologies and combat concepts in real conditions. He argued that this gives the U.S. operational information that simulations cannot provide. He also said billions in military aid eventually flow back into the American defense industry, and under existing agreements all foreign military financing sent to Israel is supposed to be spent in the U.S. by 2028, supporting contractors, factories, supply chains and production of systems such as F-35 jets, radar and precision munitions.

He further pointed to Israeli systems and battlefield lessons that benefit the U.S. military, including the Trophy active protection system used on Abrams tanks and missile defense programs such as Iron Dome, David’s Sling and Arrow. Spencer said Israel’s active operations also offer timely insight into drones, tunnel warfare, cyber threats and urban combat, while its intelligence services have for decades shared crucial information on global terrorism, Iranian military movements and weapons proliferation. He concluded that a strong Israel helps deter Iran and its proxies, reduces the American military burden in the Middle East, and frees Washington to focus more on China and the Indo-Pacific. Vance also said Donald Trump is the only world leader who currently identifies with Israel, and the article noted that the U.S. now gives Israel about $4 billion in military aid annually, with talks already underway on a new package.