Can we afford continued foreign welfare to Israel?

[Mom]

U.S. Arms Transfers and Security Assistance to Israel

An Arms Trade Resource Center Fact Sheet
by William D. Hartung and Frida Berrigan
May 6, 2002

U.S. press coverage of Israeli attacks on the Palestinian Authority and Palestinian towns on the West Bank often treat the U.S. government as either an innocent bystander or an honest broker in the current conflict, often without giving a full sense of the importance of the United States role as a supplier of arms, aid, and military technology to Israel. In its role as Israel's primary arms supplier, the United States could exert significant potential leverage over Israeli behavior in the conflict, if it chooses to do so.

Military and Economic Aid

Since 1976, Israel had been the largest annual recipient of U.S. foreign assistance. According to a November 2001 Congressional Research Service report, Israel: U.S. Foreign Assistance, U.S. aid to Israel in the last half century has totaled a whopping $81.3 billion.

In recent years, Israel remains the top recipient of U.S. military and economic assistance. The most commonly cited figure is $3 billion a year, with about $1.8 billion a year in Foreign Military Financing (FMF) grants from the Department of Defense and an additional $1.2 billion a year in Economic Support Funds (ESF) from the Department of State. In the last decade FMF grants to Israel have totaled $18.2 billion. In fact, 17% of all U.S. foreign aid is earmarked for Israel.

For 2003, the Bush administration is proposing that Israel receive $2.76 billion in foreign aid, with $2.1 billion in FMF and $600 million in ESF. An additional $28 million will go to Israel for the purchase U.S. manufactured counter terrorism equipment.

Weapons Sales and Grants

Israel is one of the United State's largest arms importers. In the last decade, the United States has sold Israel $7.2 billion in weaponry and military equipment, $762 million through Direct Commercial Sales (DCS), more than $6.5 billion through the Foreign Military Financing (FMF) program.

In fact, Israel is so devoted to U.S. military hardware that it has the world's largest fleet of F-16s outside the U.S., currently possessing more than 200 jets. Another 102 F-16s are on order from Lockheed Martin.

The United States has also underwritten Israel's domestic armaments industry, by giving:

    * $1.3 billion to develop the Lavi aircraft (cancelled)
    * $625 million to develop and deploy the Arrow anti-missile missile (an ongoing project)
    * $200 million to develop the Merkava tank (operative); the latest version, the Merkava 4, uses a German V-12 diesel engine produced under license in the U.S. by General Dynamics
    * $130 million to develop the high-energy laser anti-missile system (ongoing).

While overall aid to Israel is slated to decrease over the next five years, military aid will increase significantly. One of President Clinton's last acts was to sign an agreement with Israel, phasing out the ESF by 2008. At the same time, FMF funds to Israel will increase $60 million each year, reaching $2.4 billion by 2008.

Free Weapons to Israel

The U.S. also gives Israel weapons and ammunition as part of the Excess Defense Articles (EDA) program, providing these articles completely free of charge. Between 1994-2001 the U.S. provided many weapons through this program,

http://www.worldpolicy.org/projects/arms/reports/israel050602.html

[DannyBoy]

All foreign aid, regardless of country, that is not directly 1:1 related to humanitarian needs (food, medicine, shelter) should be ceased immediately.

[dan foster]

The israelis have a really big ally; nutjob fundi christians.  In addition to the foreign aid, another $1B a year goes to the "state" in tax-deductible contributions.  So, you can add another couple of $B to the pile: 1 in tax revenue losses and another 1 for that money going overseas.

[Gardengirl]

We can never not afford it.

[dan foster]

We can never not afford it.

Why?  We don't need israel.  They are the source of the hatred by the muslims and arabs, against us.  They oppress their neighbors.  They should have never been given a homeland on palestinian soil without a parallel effort to give the palestinians one, as well (more morons from american and british history that left us a mess to clean up).  They spy on us like other "friends" wouldn't do and they are getting more aid than they deserve.

So, why shouldn't we just kill the aid?  What I really want to stop, first, is the tax deductible scam.

[Dexter Morgan]

I say we quit giving to other countries period!!!! Let them take care of themselves. There are A LOT of Americans goin' without. We need to take care of our own. Let them fend for themselves. I know.... I sound like a real beotch here but,seriously.... most of the people in other countries completely hate America, and all it stands for. They enjoy it when the U.S. government hands them everything, while there are so many Americans doin' without. They stand there with their hands out greedily taking what "we" give them, and walk away and talk crap about how terrible Americans, and America are. The gravy train needs to stop at America's border.  Let's take care of our own for a change!!! 

[Anne]

In today's economy here in America the better question is can we afford to help anyone else until we get our own house in order. If it can be proved that we can do both then by all means continue aid to other countries, but take care of our own. If we go down who will help us, no one except maybe the UK. I think we can do both, but think about it, if we do not return to being a profitable country, how can we help anyone else? How many people in other countries benefit from our government's help, not counting military. How much money is poured into the African nations every year?

[Anne]

Why?  We don't need israel.  They are the source of the hatred by the muslims and arabs, against us.  They oppress their neighbors.  They should have never been given a homeland on palestinian soil without a parallel effort to give the palestinians one, as well (more morons from american and british history that left us a mess to clean up).  They spy on us like other "friends" wouldn't do and they are getting more aid than they deserve.

So, why shouldn't we just kill the aid?  What I really want to stop, first, is the tax deductible scam.

Silly me, I thought they hated us because we have military bases in the middle east, or maybe because they don't like Christians, or was it because we don't make our women wear burkas. Come to find out it is just because we are friends with some Jews!

[Monroe]

Why?  We don't need israel.  They are the source of the hatred by the muslims and arabs, against us.  They oppress their neighbors.  They should have never been given a homeland on palestinian soil without a parallel effort to give the palestinians one, as well (more morons from american and british history that left us a mess to clean up).  They spy on us like other "friends" wouldn't do and they are getting more aid than they deserve.

So, why shouldn't we just kill the aid?  What I really want to stop, first, is the tax deductible scam.

dan foster is a stupid person.  His posts demonstrate this repeatedly.  It's clear he know nothing about the history of the region but, like so many other things, this does not keep him from having strong opinions.  He is a fool, soundly proven so.  He deserves no consideration.

[Doc]

Israel is the land of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. Israel is not the problem in that region, Israel is a democracy and the only real true friend to the U.S.A. and let's all get our facts straight before we spin things out of context. I don't blame Israel for anything they have ever done, I hope in the future the third temple will be built and prophesy will be fulfilled.

[dan foster]

Silly me, I thought they hated us because we have military bases in the middle east, or maybe because they don't like Christians, or was it because we don't make our women wear burkas. Come to find out it is just because we are friends with some Jews!

Our blind faith, and blind eye, to israel has been the source of hatred for radical islam since 1949, but you will have to look up that milestone.

[Anne]

Our blind faith, and blind eye, to israel has been the source of hatred for radical islam since 1949, but you will have to look up that milestone.

They hate us because we aren't them, pure and simple.  If we blasted Isreal off the face of the earth they would still hate us and try to kill us. Don't kid yourself. They don't need a reaswon. It is their way of life. It is not going to change.

[Exterminator]

They hate us because we aren't them, pure and simple.  If we blasted Isreal off the face of the earth they would still hate us and try to kill us. Don't kid yourself. They don't need a reaswon. It is their way of life. It is not going to change.

And we're different how?

[dan foster]

They hate us because we aren't them, pure and simple.  If we blasted Isreal off the face of the earth they would still hate us and try to kill us. Don't kid yourself. They don't need a reaswon. It is their way of life. It is not going to change.

The majority of "them" could care less about us.

[DannyBoy]

It all depends on your point of view.  My point of view would tend to agree with Anne.