Washington Post Report: Benjamin Netanyahu refused to transfer Iron Dome missile systems to Ukraine

The Prime Minister of Israel, Benjamin Netanyahu, rejected the proposal to transfer Iron Dome anti-aircraft missile systems to Ukraine, according to a report by The Washington Post. The proposal was put forward by Republican Senator Lindsey Graham in 2023, but Netanyahu argued that the terms of the joint production agreement give Israel the final say on the use of the system, even if the batteries were funded by the U.S.

At the same time, American lawmakers want to expand cooperation with Israel in various technological fields. Criticism has been voiced by left-wing Democrats and some Republicans, who believe that Israel's refusal affects U.S. national security.

In the context of recent visits by Netanyahu and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky to Washington, competition for American resources has intensified. The Israeli Embassy emphasized that concerns regarding technology transfer are motivated by the risks of it falling into the hands of Iran. The defense policy bill is under discussion in Congress, having significant implications for bilateral relations.