The strength of the relationship between Israel and the United States is a testament to our friendship, partnership and alliance. The friendship between Israel and the United States runs deep, in shared values, economic partnership, strategic cooperation, humanitarian assistance and cultural ties.

Only eleven minutes after Israel declared its independence in 1948, President Harry Truman recognized the new Jewish State. Since this time, all the leaders of the United States have expressed their support for the State of Israel, and the people of both countries have continually nurtured, promoted and developed their shared values and interests. The unique and special relationship between Israel and the United States is multifaceted, heartfelt and strong. Our partnership is bound to expand and progress in the years to come.

The cornerstone of the vibrant U.S.-Israel economic relationship is the 1985 Free Trade Agreement (FTA), the first FTA ever signed by the United States. Over the last 20 years the FTA has enabled a sevenfold expansion of bilateral trade. Israel has become one of the largest trading partners of the U.S. in the Middle East and Israel ’s prime export destination is the United States.

The Israeli and American economies share common commitments to a free market, competitiveness, active support of international trade liberalization and of the multilateral trading system. There is constant dialogue between the governments of Israel and the United States to upgrade their economic relationship and to ensure a continued prosperous partnership.