Dermer shakes US Congressman's hand
Dermer shakes US Congressman's handReuters

The United States and Israel have resumed talks regarding military aid for the Jewish state, Israeli Ambassador to the US Ron Dermer announced in a speech on Saturday night. 

Speaking before the National Israeli American Conference in Washington, Dermer stressed that "part of ensuring Israel’s future is working to strengthen the alliance between Israel and America." 

"And despite all the naysayers," he continued, "the alliance between the United States and Israel will also weather the serious disagreement Israel has had with the Obama administration over the Iran nuclear deal."

Dermer praised Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu for speaking out against the deal before addressing what the future holds for US-Israel relations. 

"With the nuclear deal now moving ahead, Israel is also moving ahead, hoping to forge a common policy with the United States to address the continuing dangers posed by Iran," Dermer declared.

"As America and Israel work together to forge a common policy on Iran," he noted later in the speech, "Israel is also discussing with the Obama administration ways to bolster Israel’s security and ensure Israel’s qualitative military edge."

"Discussions over a new Memorandum of Understanding between Israel and the United States, which had been on hold for some time, resumed this past week in Washington."

According to Dermer, these discussions will continue upon Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff General Joseph Dunford's visit to Israel next week as well as during Defense Minister Moshe Yaalon and the Prime Minister's upcoming trips to Washington. 

"Israel hopes that the discussions we are now engaged in will culminate in a long-term agreement that will dramatically upgrade Israel’s ability to defend itself by itself against any threat and enable Israel to address the enormous challenges we now face in the region."