PUBLIC LAW 113–296—DEC. 19, 2014 128 STAT. 4075 

Public Law 113–296 

113th Congress 

An Act 

To enhance the strategic partnership between the United States and Israel. 

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of 

the United States of America in Congress assembled, 

SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE. 

This Act may be cited as the ‘‘United States-Israel Strategic 

Partnership Act of 2014’’. 

SEC. 2. FINDINGS. 

Congress makes the following findings: 

(1) The people and the Governments of the United States 

and of Israel share a deep and unbreakable bond, forged by 

over 60 years of shared interests and shared values. 

(2) Today, the people and Governments of the United States 

and of Israel are facing a dynamic and rapidly changing security 

environment in the Middle East and North Africa, necessitating 

deeper cooperation on a range of defense, security, and intelligence matters. 

(3) From Gaza, Hamas continues to deny Israel’s right 

to exist and persists in firing rockets indiscriminately at population centers in Israel. 

(4) Hezbollah—with support from Iran—continues to stockpile rockets and may be seeking to exploit the tragic and 

volatile security situation within Syria. 

(5) The Government of Iran continues to pose a grave 

threat to the region and the world at large with its reckless 

pursuit of nuclear weapons. 

(6) Given these challenges, it is imperative that the United 

States continues to deepen cooperation with allies like Israel 

in pursuit of shared policy objectives. 

SEC. 3. STATEMENT OF POLICY. 

It is the policy of the United States— 

(1) to reaffirm the unwavering support of the people and 

the Government of the United States for the security of Israel 

as a Jewish state; 

(2) to reaffirm the principles and objectives enshrined in 

the United States-Israel Enhanced Security Cooperation Act 

of 2012 (Public Law 112–150) and ensure its implementation 

to the fullest extent; 

(3) to reaffirm the importance of the 2007 United StatesIsrael Memorandum of Understanding on United States assistance to Israel and the semi-annual Strategic Dialogue between 

the United States and Israel; 

22 USC 8602 

note. 

22 USC 8601 

note. 

22 USC 8601 

note. 

United StatesIsrael Strategic 

Partnership Act 

of 2014. 

Dec. 19, 2014 

[S. 2673] 


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128 STAT. 4076 PUBLIC LAW 113–296—DEC. 19, 2014 

(4) to pursue every opportunity to deepen cooperation with 

Israel on a range of critical issues including defense, homeland 

security, energy, and cybersecurity; 

(5) to continue to provide Israel with robust security assistance, including for the procurement of the Iron Dome Missile 

Defense System; and 

(6) to support the Government of Israel in its ongoing 

efforts to reach a negotiated political settlement with the Palestinian people that results in two states living side-by-side in 

peace and security. 

SEC. 4. SENSE OF CONGRESS ON ISRAEL AS A MAJOR STRATEGIC 

PARTNER. 

It is the sense of Congress that Israel is a major strategic 

partner of the United States. 

SEC. 5. EXTENSION OF WAR RESERVES STOCKPILE AUTHORITY. 

(a) DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE APPROPRIATIONS ACT, 2005.— 

Section 12001(d) of the Department of Defense Appropriations Act, 

2005 (Public Law 108–287; 118 Stat. 1011) is amended by striking 

‘‘more than 10 years after’’ and inserting ‘‘more than 11 years 

after’’. 

(b) FOREIGN ASSISTANCE ACT OF 1961.—Section 514(b)(2)(A) 

of the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 (22 U.S.C. 2321h(b)(2)(A)) 

is amended by striking ‘‘and 2014’’ and inserting ‘‘, 2014, and 

2015’’. 

SEC. 6. ELIGIBILITY OF ISRAEL FOR THE STRATEGIC TRADE 

AUTHORIZATION EXCEPTION TO CERTAIN EXPORT CONTROL 

LICENSING REQUIREMENTS. 

(a) FINDINGS.—Congress finds that Israel— 

(1) has adopted high standards in the field of export controls; 

(2) has declared its unilateral adherence to the Missile 

Technology Control Regime, the Australia Group, and the 

Nuclear Suppliers Group; and 

(3) is a party to— 

(A) the Convention on Prohibitions or Restrictions on 

the Use of Certain Conventional Weapons which may be 

Deemed to be Excessively Injurious or to Have Indiscriminate Effects, signed at Geneva October 10, 1980; 

(B) the Protocol for the Prohibition of the Use in War 

of Asphyxiating, Poisonous or Other Gases, and of Bacteriological Methods of Warfare, signed at Geneva June 17, 

1925; and 

(C) the Convention on the Physical Protection of 

Nuclear Material, adopted at Vienna on October 26, 1979. 

(b) ELIGIBILITY FOR STRATEGIC TRADE AUTHORIZATION EXCEPTION.—The President, consistent with the commitments of the 

United States under international arrangements, shall take steps 

so that Israel may be included in the list of countries eligible 

for the strategic trade authorization exception under section 

740.20(c)(1) of title 15, Code of Federal Regulations, to the requirement for a license for the export, reexport, or in-country transfer 

of an item subject to controls under the Export Administration 

Regulations. 

President. 

22 USC 8603 

note. 


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PUBLIC LAW 113–296—DEC. 19, 2014 128 STAT. 4077 

SEC. 7. 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 PILOT 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 pilot programs with Israel 

to enhance Israel’s capabilities in— 

(1) border, maritime, and aviation security; 

(2) explosives detection; and 

(3) emergency services. 

SEC. 8. REPORT ON INCREASED UNITED STATES-ISRAEL COOPERATION ON CYBERSECURITY. 

Not later than 180 days after the date of the enactment of 

this Act, the President shall submit to Congress a report, in a 

classified format or including a classified annex, as appropriate, 

on the feasibility and advisability of expanding United States-Israeli 

cooperation on cyber issues, including sharing and advancing technologies related to the prevention of cybercrimes. 

SEC. 9. STATEMENT OF POLICY REGARDING THE VISA WAIVER PROGRAM. 

It shall be the policy of the United States to include Israel 

in the list of countries that participate in the visa waiver program 

under section 217 of the Immigration and Nationality Act (8 U.S.C. 

1187) when Israel satisfies, and as long as Israel continues to 

satisfy, the requirements for inclusion in such program specified 

in such section. 

SEC. 10. STATUS OF IMPLEMENTATION OF SECTION 4 OF THE UNITED 

STATES-ISRAEL ENHANCED SECURITY COOPERATION ACT 

OF 2012. 

Not later than 180 days after the date of the enactment of 

this Act, the President shall, to the extent practicable and in an 

appropriate manner, provide an update to the Committee on Foreign 

Relations of the Senate, the Committee on Foreign Affairs of the 

House of Representatives, the Committee on Armed Services of 

the Senate, and the Committee on Armed Services of the House 

of Representatives on current and future efforts undertaken by 

President. 

Deadline. 

22 USC 8602 

note. 

President. 

Classified 

information. 

President. 

22 USC 8606. 


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128 STAT. 4078 PUBLIC LAW 113–296—DEC. 19, 2014 

the President to fulfill the objectives of section 4 of the United 

States-Israel Enhanced Security Cooperation Act (22 U.S.C. 8603). 

SEC. 11. IMPROVED REPORTING ON ENHANCING ISRAEL’S QUALITATIVE MILITARY EDGE AND SECURITY POSTURE. 

(a) BIENNIAL ASSESSMENT REEVALUATIONS.—Section 201(c) of 

the Naval Vessel Transfer Act of 2008 (22 U.S.C. 2776 note) is 

amended by adding at the end the following: 

‘‘(3) BIENNIAL UPDATES.—Two years after the date on which 

each quadrennial report is transmitted to Congress, the President shall— 

‘‘(A) reevaluate the assessment required under subsection (a); and 

‘‘(B) inform and consult with the appropriate congressional committees on the results of the reevaluation conducted pursuant to subparagraph (A).’’. 

(b) CERTIFICATION REQUIREMENTS FOR MAJOR DEFENSE EQUIP- MENT.—Section 36(h) of the Arms Export Control Act (22 U.S.C. 

2776(h)) is amended— 

(1) by redesignating paragraph (2) as paragraph (3); and 

(2) by inserting after paragraph (1) the following: 

‘‘(2) REQUIREMENTS WITH RESPECT TO DETERMINATION FOR

MAJOR DEFENSE EQUIPMENT.—A determination under paragraph (1) relating to the sale or export of major defense equipment shall include— 

‘‘(A) a detailed explanation of Israel’s capacity to 

address the improved capabilities provided by such sale 

or export; 

‘‘(B) a detailed evaluation of— 

‘‘(i) how such sale or export alters the strategic 

and tactical balance in the region, including relative 

capabilities; and 

‘‘(ii) Israel’s capacity to respond to the improved 

regional capabilities provided by such sale or export; 

‘‘(C) an identification of any specific new capacity, 

capabilities, or training that Israel may require to address 

the regional or country-specific capabilities provided by 

such sale or export; and 

‘‘(D) a description of any additional United States security assurances to Israel made, or requested to be made, 

in connection with, or as a result of, such sale or export.’’. 

SEC. 12. UNITED STATES-ISRAEL ENERGY COOPERATION. 

(a) FINDINGS.—Section 917(a) of the Energy Independence and 

Security Act of 2007 (42 U.S.C. 17337(a)) is amended— 

(1) in paragraph (1), by striking ‘‘renewable’’ and inserting 

‘‘covered’’; 

(2) in paragraph (4)— 

(A) by striking ‘‘possible many’’ and inserting ‘‘possible— 

‘‘(A) many’’; and 

(B) by adding at the end the following: ‘‘and 

‘‘(B) significant contributions to the development of 

renewable energy and energy efficiency through the established programs of the United States-Israel Binational 

Industrial Research and Development Foundation and the 

United States-Israel Binational Science Foundation;’’; 

(3) in paragraph (6)— 

Consultation. 

President. 


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PUBLIC LAW 113–296—DEC. 19, 2014 128 STAT. 4079 

(A) by striking ‘‘renewable’’ and inserting ‘‘covered’’; 

and 

(B) by striking ‘‘and’’ at the end; 

(4) in paragraph (7)— 

(A) by striking ‘‘renewable’’ and inserting ‘‘covered’’; 

and 

(B) by striking the period at the end and inserting 

a semicolon; and 

(5) by adding at the end the following: 

‘‘(8) United States-Israel energy cooperation and the 

development of natural resources by Israel are in the strategic 

interest of the United States; 

‘‘(9) Israel is a strategic partner of the United States in 

water technology; 

‘‘(10) the United States can play a role in assisting Israel 

with regional safety and security issues; 

‘‘(11) the National Science Foundation of the United States, 

to the extent consistent with the National Science Foundation’s 

mission, should collaborate with the Israel Science Foundation 

and the United States-Israel Binational Science Foundation; 

‘‘(12) the United States and Israel should strive to develop 

more robust academic cooperation in— 

‘‘(A) energy innovation technology and engineering; 

‘‘(B) water science; 

‘‘(C) technology transfer; and 

‘‘(D) analysis of emerging geopolitical implications, 

crises and threats from foreign natural resource and energy 

acquisitions, and the development of domestic resources 

as a response; 

‘‘(13) the United States supports the goals of the Alternative 

Fuels Administration of Israel with respect to expanding the 

use of alternative fuels; 

‘‘(14) the United States strongly urges open dialogue and 

continued mechanisms for regular engagement and encourages 

further cooperation between applicable departments, agencies, 

ministries, institutions of higher education, and the private 

sector of the United States and Israel on energy security issues, 

including— 

‘‘(A) identifying policy priorities associated with the 

development of natural resources of Israel; 

‘‘(B) discussing and sharing best practices to secure 

cyber energy infrastructure and other energy security matters; 

‘‘(C) leveraging natural gas to positively impact 

regional stability; 

‘‘(D) issues relating to the energy-water nexus, 

including improving energy efficiency and the overall 

performance of water technologies through research and 

development in water desalination, wastewater treatment 

and reclamation, water treatment in gas and oil production 

processes, and other water treatment refiners; 

‘‘(E) technical and environmental management of deepwater exploration and production; 

‘‘(F) emergency response and coastal protection and 

restoration; 

‘‘(G) academic outreach and engagement; 


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128 STAT. 4080 PUBLIC LAW 113–296—DEC. 19, 2014 

‘‘(H) private sector and business development engagement; 

‘‘(I) regulatory consultations; 

‘‘(J) leveraging alternative transportation fuels and 

technologies; and 

‘‘(K) any other areas determined appropriate by the 

United States and Israel; 

‘‘(15) the United States— 

‘‘(A) acknowledges the achievements and importance 

of the Binational Industrial Research and Development 

Foundation and the United States-Israel Binational Science 

Foundation; and 

‘‘(B) supports continued multiyear funding to ensure 

the continuity of the programs of the foundations specified 

in subparagraph (A); and 

‘‘(16) the United States and Israel have a shared interest 

in addressing immediate, near-term, and long-term energy, 

energy poverty, energy independence, and environmental challenges facing the United States and Israel, respectively.’’. 

(b) GRANT PROGRAM.—Section 917(b) of the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007 (42 U.S.C. 17337(b)(1)) is amended— 

(1) in paragraph (1), by striking ‘‘renewable energy or 

energy efficiency’’ and inserting ‘‘covered energy’’; 

(2) in paragraph (2)— 

(A) in subparagraph (F), by striking ‘‘and’’ at the end; 

(B) in subparagraph (G), by striking the period at 

the end and inserting a semicolon; and 

(C) by adding at the end the following: 

‘‘(H) natural gas energy, including conventional and 

unconventional natural gas technologies and other associated technologies, and natural gas projects conducted by 

or in conjunction with the United States-Israel Binational 

Science Foundation and the United States-Israel Binational 

Industrial Research and Development Foundation; and 

‘‘(I) improvement of energy efficiency and the overall 

performance of water technologies through research and 

development in water desalination, wastewater treatment 

and reclamation, and other water treatment refiners.’’; and 

(3) in paragraph (3)(A), by striking ‘‘energy efficiency or 

renewable’’ and inserting ‘‘covered’’. 

(c) INTERNATIONAL PARTNERSHIPS; REGIONAL ENERGY COOPERATION.— 

(1) INTERNATIONAL PARTNERSHIPS.—Section 917 of the 

Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007 (42 U.S.C. 

17337) is amended— 

(A) by striking subsection (d); 

(B) by redesignating subsection (c) as subsection (e); 

(C) by inserting after subsection (b) the following: 

‘‘(c) INTERNATIONAL PARTNERSHIPS.— 

‘‘(1) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary, subject to the availability 

of appropriations, may enter into cooperative agreements supporting and enhancing dialogue and planning involving international partnerships between the Department, including 

National Laboratories of the Department, and the Government 

of Israel and its ministries, offices, and institutions. 

‘‘(2) FEDERAL SHARE.—The Secretary may not pay more 

than 50 percent of Federal share of the costs of implementing 

Contracts. 


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PUBLIC LAW 113–296—DEC. 19, 2014 128 STAT. 4081 

LEGISLATIVE HISTORY—S. 2673: 

CONGRESSIONAL RECORD, Vol. 160 (2014): 

Sept. 18, considered and passed Senate. 

Dec. 3, considered and passed House. 

Æ 

cooperative agreements entered into pursuant to paragraph 

(1). 

‘‘(3) ANNUAL REPORTS.—If the Secretary enters into agreements authorized by paragraph (1), the Secretary shall submit 

an annual report to the Committee on Energy and Natural 

Resources of the Senate, the Committee on Foreign Relations 

of the Senate, the Committee on Appropriations of the Senate, 

the Committee on Energy and Commerce of the House of Representatives, the Committee on Science, Space, and Technology 

of the House of Representatives, the Committee on Foreign 

Affairs of the House of Representatives, and the Committee 

on Appropriations of the House of Representatives that 

describes— 

‘‘(A) actions taken to implement such agreements; and 

‘‘(B) any projects undertaken pursuant to such agreements. 

‘‘(d) UNITED STATES-ISRAEL ENERGY CENTER.—The Secretary 

may establish a joint United States-Israel Energy Center in the 

United States leveraging the experience, knowledge, and expertise 

of institutions of higher education and entities in the private sector, 

among others, in offshore energy development to further dialogue 

and collaboration to develop more robust academic cooperation in 

energy innovation technology and engineering, water science, technology transfer, and analysis of emerging geopolitical implications, 

crises and threats from foreign natural resource and energy acquisitions, and the development of domestic resources as a response.’’; 

and 

(D) in subsection (e), as redesignated, by striking ‘‘the 

date that is 7 years after the date of enactment of this 

Act’’ and inserting ‘‘September 30, 2024’’. 

(2) CONSTRUCTIVE REGIONAL ENERGY COOPERATION.—The 

Secretary of State shall continue the ongoing diplomacy efforts 

of the Secretary of State in— 

(A) engaging and supporting the energy security of 

Israel; and 

(B) promoting constructive regional energy cooperation 

in the Eastern Mediterranean. 

Approved December 18, 2014. 

22 USC 8606 

note. 

Establishment. 


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