US makes $9bn in loan guarantees

A total US$9bn (€8bn) in US loan guarantees to Israel became available today with a formal announcement that didn't mention penalties for the Jewish state's construction of a controversial security barrier.

The guarantees, part of a $US10bn (€8.85bn) aid package for Israel, will be made through the US Agency for International Development (USAID), according to a notice published in the Federal Register.