US and Israel Forge Strategic AI Partnership with Joint Statement

JERUSALEM (VINnews)— Israel and the United States signed a joint statement on artificial intelligence cooperation on Friday at the City of David in Jerusalem, marking a key milestone in their bilateral ties and positioning Israel as the first nation to formalize such an agreement with the U.S. under the Pax Silica initiative. Join our WhatsApp group Subscribe to our Daily Roundup Email The document, which launches a strategic partnership on AI, research and critical technologies, was signed by Brig. Gen. (Res.) Erez Eskel, head of Israel’s National AI Directorate, and U.S. Under Secretary of State for Economic Affairs Jacob Helberg. The signing took place in the presence of Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar and U.S. Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee. This follows Israel’s accession last month to the U.S.-led Pax Silica initiative, a coalition uniting nine leading nations — including the U.S., Japan, South Korea, Singapore, the Netherlands, the United Kingdom, Australia, the United Arab Emirates and Israel — to secure resilient supply chains for AI, semiconductors, critical minerals and related infrastructure. Out of these nine nations, Israel was selected as the first to sign a bilateral joint statement with the U.S., highlighting the special alliance between the two countries. The partnership aims to deepen collaboration through joint research, development, investment and commercialization in areas including artificial intelligence, energy technologies, advanced computing, space, edge innovation, additive manufacturing and semiconductors. Officials emphasized renewed focus on protecting sensitive technologies and fostering a secure environment for innovation. Eskel highlighted the significance of the agreement, noting that since the establishment of the National AI Directorate under Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Israel has pursued partnerships with leading AI nations, starting with its recent entry into Pax Silica. “This is another step in advancing the State of Israel toward global leadership in artificial intelligence, as part of the flagship goals of Prime Minister Netanyahu,” the Prime Minister’s Office said in a statement. Helberg described the moment as symbolic, stating that the U.S. and Israel are uniting their innovation ecosystems “to ensure the future is shaped by strong and sovereign allies leading in critical technologies like AI and robotics.” He added, standing on the ancient foundations of the City of David, the two nations are “not creatures of circumstance, but the creators of history — building a new era of security and prosperity together.” The ceremony underscores the growing importance of AI and critical technologies in national security and economic competitiveness, with both sides committing to immediate implementation, including potential joint applied AI laboratories in Israel. The event reflects strengthening U.S.-Israel relations under the current administrations, with Ambassador Huckabee noting the partnership’s real and beneficial impact on both nations.