A historic Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed Wednesday between US and Israeli defense officials locking in $38 billion in defense aid for the Jewish State over the next ten years, including large sums earmarked for jointly produced missile defense systems. Details of the agreement were formally announced at the signing ceremony in Washington.

Former Israeli president Shimon Peres remained in serious but stable condition Thursday at Sheba Medical Center in Tel Shomer, following a stroke he suffered Tuesday evening. “Peres is showing slight signs of recovery,” said Prof. Amit Segev, who is part of the medical team treating Peres.

In another blow to the international effort to Boycott, Divest and Sanction (BDS) Israel, the European Commission gave a €2.3 million grant to the Israel-based MeMed company to develop and deploy a new blood test kit called ImmunoXpert, allowing doctors to distinguish between bacterial and viral infections. ImmunoXpert holds the potential to save patients and the medical industry massive amounts of time and money, as well as prevent the unnecessary use of antibiotics which can, over time, reduce their effectiveness.

Indications have begun to emerge that a plan to create an egalitarian section for prayer at the Western Wall in Jerusalem’s Old City, agreed to by the government in January but fiercely resisted by Ultra-Orthodox (haredi) factions, will likely need to be implemented gradually over time in order to avoid jarring schisms among Israel’s various religiously observant Jewish communities. Another option, for the High Court of Justice to intervene and order the police to force the issue, is regarded by several experts as a high-risk proposition.

Some hawkish U.S. lawmakers and foreign policy commentators are raising questions about aspects of the deal, especially reports that it limits Israel’s ability to lobby for more aid from Congress. They also insist Obama’s Middle East policies, including his embrace of a nuclear deal with Iran, have endangered Israel enough that in the long run the larger aid package may not make a difference.