Pro-Israel lobby AIPAC: Most programs received more than requested. Among the principal beneficiaries are Rafael and Israel Aircraft Industries.
The United States Congress has allocated $90 million more to joint US-Israel projects than requested by the Pentagon in the 1997 defense budget. Rafael and Israel Aircraft Industries have particularly benefited from the decision. These facts arise after an analysis of the US Defense Budget Expenses law, signed by US president Bill Clinton last week.
A Washington-based source, who was involved in drafting the legislation, told "Globes" that representatives of Israel’s defense industries together with AIPAC, actively lobbied congress in order to promote the bi-national projects. The source said the fact that this is an election year in the US "did not hurt the Israeli lobby."
AIPAC said: "All joint US-Israel strategic programs received budget funding, and many received more than requested."