United States-Israel Enhanced Security Cooperation Act of 2012
PL 112-150 (S.2165), enacted 07/27/2012

126 STAT. 1146 
PUBLIC LAW 112–150—JULY 27, 2012 
Public Law 112–150 
112th Congress 
An Act 
To enhance strategic cooperation between the United States and Israel, and for 
other purposes. 
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 Enhanced 
Security Cooperation Act of 2012’’. 
SEC. 2. FINDINGS. 
Congress makes the following findings: 
(1) Since 1948, United States Presidents and both houses 
of Congress, on a bipartisan basis and supported by the Amer-
ican people, have repeatedly reaffirmed the special bond 
between the United States and Israel, based on shared values 
and shared interests. 
(2) The Middle East is undergoing rapid change, bringing 
with it hope for an expansion of democracy but also great 
challenges to the national security of the United States and 
our allies in the region, particularly to our most important 
ally in the region, Israel. 
(3) The Government of the Islamic Republic of Iran is 
continuing its decades-long pattern of seeking to foment insta-
bility and promote extremism in the Middle East, particularly 
in this time of dramatic political transition. 
(4) At the same time, the Government of the Islamic 
Republic of Iran continues to enrich uranium in defiance of 
multiple United Nations Security Council resolutions. 
(5) A nuclear-weapons capable Iran would fundamentally 
threaten vital United States interests, encourage regional 
nuclear proliferation, further empower Iran, the world’s leading 
state sponsor of terror, and pose a serious and destabilizing 
threat to Israel and the region. 
(6) Over the past several years, with the assistance of 
the Governments of the Islamic Republic of Iran and Syria, 
Hizbollah and Hamas have increased their stockpile of rockets, 
with more than 60,000 now ready to be fired at Israel. The 
Government of the Islamic Republic of Iran continues to add 
to its arsenal of ballistic missiles and cruise missiles, which 
threaten Iran’s neighbors, Israel, and United States Armed 
Forces in the region. 
(7) As a result, Israel is facing a fundamentally altered 
strategic environment. 
22 USC 8601. 
22 USC 8601 
note. 
United States- 
Israel Enhanced 
Security 
Cooperation Act 
of 2012. 
July 27, 2012 
[S. 2165] 
VerDate Mar 15 2010 
07:30 May 21, 2015
Jkt 019194
PO 00001
Frm 01144
Fmt 6580
Sfmt 6581
G:\GSDD\STATUTES\2012\PT1\19194PT1.001
19194PT1
126 STAT. 1147 
PUBLIC LAW 112–150—JULY 27, 2012 
(8) Pursuant to chapter 5 of title 1 of the Emergency 
Wartime Supplemental Appropriations Act, 2003 (Public Law 
108–11; 117 Stat. 576), the authority to make available loan 
guarantees to Israel is currently set to expire on September 
30, 2012. 
SEC. 3. STATEMENT OF POLICY. 
It is the policy of the United States: 
(1) To reaffirm our unwavering commitment to the security 
of the State of Israel as a Jewish state. As President Barack 
Obama stated on December 16, 2011, ‘‘America’s commitment 
and my commitment to Israel and Israel’s security is 
unshakeable.’’ And as President George W. Bush stated before 
the Israeli Knesset on May 15, 2008, on the 60th anniversary 
of the founding of the State of Israel, ‘‘The alliance between 
our governments is unbreakable, yet the source of our friend-
ship runs deeper than any treaty.’’. 
(2) To help the Government of Israel preserve its qualitative 
military edge amid rapid and uncertain regional political trans-
formation. 
(3) To veto any one-sided anti-Israel resolutions at the 
United Nations Security Council. 
(4) To support Israel’s inherent right to self-defense. 
(5) To pursue avenues to expand cooperation with the 
Government of Israel both in defense and across the spectrum 
of civilian sectors, including high technology, agriculture, medi-
cine, health, pharmaceuticals, and energy. 
(6) To assist the Government of Israel with its ongoing 
efforts to forge a peaceful, negotiated settlement of the Israeli- 
Palestinian conflict that results in two states living side-by- 
side in peace and security, and to encourage Israel’s neighbors 
to recognize Israel’s right to exist as a Jewish state. 
(7) To encourage further development of advanced tech-
nology programs between the United States and Israel given 
current trends and instability in the region. 
SEC. 4. UNITED STATES ACTIONS TO ASSIST IN THE DEFENSE OF 
ISRAEL AND PROTECT UNITED STATES INTERESTS. 
It is the sense of Congress that the United States Government 
should take the following actions to assist in the defense of Israel: 
(1) Seek to enhance the capabilities of the Governments 
of the United States and Israel to address emerging common 
threats, increase security cooperation, and expand joint military 
exercises. 
(2) Provide the Government of Israel such support as may 
be necessary to increase development and production of joint 
missile defense systems, particularly such systems that defend 
against the urgent threat posed to Israel and United States 
forces in the region. 
(3) Provide the Government of Israel assistance specifically 
for the production and procurement of the Iron Dome defense 
system for purposes of intercepting short-range missiles, 
rockets, and projectiles launched against Israel. 
(4) Provide the Government of Israel defense articles and 
defense services through such mechanisms as appropriate, to 
include air refueling tankers, missile defense capabilities, and 
specialized munitions. 
22 USC 8603. 
22 USC 8602. 
VerDate Mar 15 2010 
07:30 May 21, 2015
Jkt 019194
PO 00001
Frm 01145
Fmt 6580
Sfmt 6581
G:\GSDD\STATUTES\2012\PT1\19194PT1.001
19194PT1
126 STAT. 1148 
PUBLIC LAW 112–150—JULY 27, 2012 
(5) Provide the Government of Israel additional excess 
defense articles, as appropriate, in the wake of the withdrawal 
of United States forces from Iraq. 
(6) Examine ways to strengthen existing and ongoing 
efforts, including the Gaza Counter Arms Smuggling Initiative, 
aimed at preventing weapons smuggling into Gaza pursuant 
to the 2009 agreement following the Israeli withdrawal from 
Gaza, as well as measures to protect against weapons smug-
gling and terrorist threats from the Sinai Peninsula. 
(7) Offer the Air Force of Israel additional training and 
exercise opportunities in the United States to compensate for 
Israel’s limited air space. 
(8) Work to encourage an expanded role for Israel with 
the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO), including an 
enhanced presence at NATO headquarters and exercises. 
(9) Expand already-close intelligence cooperation, including 
satellite intelligence, with Israel. 
SEC. 5. ADDITIONAL STEPS TO DEFEND ISRAEL AND PROTECT AMER-
ICAN INTERESTS. 
(a) EXTENSION OF WAR RESERVES STOCKPILE AUTHORITY.— 
(1) 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 8 years after’’ and inserting ‘‘more 
than 10 years after’’. 
(2) 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 ‘‘fiscal years 2011 and 2012’’ and 
inserting ‘‘fiscal years 2013 and 2014’’. 
(b) EXTENSION OF LOAN GUARANTEES TO ISRAEL.—Chapter 5 
of title I of the Emergency Wartime Supplemental Appropriations 
Act, 2003 (Public Law 108–11; 117 Stat. 576) is amended under 
the heading ‘‘LOAN GUARANTEES TO ISRAEL’’— 
(1) in the matter preceding the first proviso, by striking 
‘‘September 30, 2011’’ and inserting ‘‘September 30, 2015’’; and 
(2) in the second proviso, by striking ‘‘September 30, 2011’’ 
and inserting ‘‘September 30, 2015’’. 
SEC. 6. REPORTS REQUIRED. 
(a) REPORT ON ISRAEL’S QUALITATIVE MILITARY EDGE (QME).— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—Not later than 180 days after the date 
of the enactment of this Act, the President shall submit to 
the Committee on Foreign Relations of the Senate and the 
Committee on Foreign Affairs of the House of Representatives 
a report on the status of Israel’s qualitative military edge 
in light of current trends and instability in the region. 
(2) SUBSTITUTION FOR QUADRENNIAL REPORT.—If submitted 
within one year of the date that the first quadrennial report 
required by section 201(c)(2) of the Naval Vessel Transfer Act 
of 2008 (Public Law 110–429; 22 U.S.C. 2776 note) is due 
to be submitted, the report required by paragraph (1) may 
substitute for such quadrennial report. 
(b) REPORTS ON OTHER MATTERS.—Not later than 180 days 
after the date of the enactment of this Act, the President shall 
submit to the appropriate congressional committees a report on 
each of the following matters: 
President. 
22 USC 8604. 
VerDate Mar 15 2010 
07:30 May 21, 2015
Jkt 019194
PO 00001
Frm 01146
Fmt 6580
Sfmt 6581
G:\GSDD\STATUTES\2012\PT1\19194PT1.001
19194PT1
126 STAT. 1149 
PUBLIC LAW 112–150—JULY 27, 2012 
LEGISLATIVE HISTORY—S. 2165 (H.R. 4133): 
SENATE REPORTS: No. 112–179 (Comm. on Foreign Relations). 
CONGRESSIONAL RECORD, Vol. 158 (2012): 
June 29, considered and passed Senate. 
July 17, considered and passed House. 
DAILY COMPILATION OF PRESIDENTIAL DOCUMENTS (2012): 
July 27, Presidential remarks. 
(1) Taking into account the Government of Israel’s urgent 
requirement for F–35 aircraft, actions to improve the process 
relating to its purchase of F–35 aircraft, particularly with 
respect to cost efficiency and timely delivery. 
(2) Efforts to expand cooperation between the United States 
and Israel in homeland security, counter-terrorism, maritime 
security, energy, cyber-security, and other related areas. 
(3) Actions to integrate Israel into the defense of the 
Eastern Mediterranean. 
SEC. 7. DEFINITIONS. 
In this Act: 
(1) APPROPRIATE CONGRESSIONAL COMMITTEES.—The term 
‘‘appropriate congressional committees’’ means— 
(A) the Committee on Appropriations, the Committee 
on Armed Services, the Committee on Foreign Relations, 
and the Select Committee on Intelligence of the Senate; 
and 
(B) the Committee on Appropriations, the Committee 
on Armed Services, the Committee on Foreign Affairs, and 
the Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence of the 
House of Representatives. 
(2) QUALITATIVE
MILITARY
EDGE.—The term ‘‘qualitative 
military edge’’ has the meaning given the term in section 
36(h)(2) of the Arms Export Control Act (22 U.S.C. 2776(h)(2)). 
Approved July 27, 2012. 
22 USC 8605. 
VerDate Mar 15 2010 
07:30 May 21, 2015
Jkt 019194
PO 00001
Frm 01147
Fmt 6580
Sfmt 6580
G:\GSDD\STATUTES\2012\PT1\19194PT1.001
19194PT1