Everyone pony up

[The Sponge]

US Congress approves Israel aid increase

1 day ago

WASHINGTON (AFP) ? The US Congress has approved a 170 million dollar increase in security assistance to Israel as part of its new 10-year, 30 billion dollar defense aid commitment to the Jewish state.

The money for Israel was part of a larger supplemental spending bill that included 162 billion dollars for the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. The legislation gained final approval in a 92-6 Senate vote late Thursday.

America's pro-Israel lobby, the American Israel Public Affairs Committee, welcomed the congressional action, saying it would increase US aid to Israel to 2.55 billion dollars in fiscal year 2009, up from 2.38 billion dollars this year.

"The US commitment to maintaining Israel's qualitative military edge is the cornerstone of American policy in the region," AIPAC said in a statement Friday.

"This year's package holds heightened significance for US security interests, as the US and Israel face new challenges from Iran's drive to acquire nuclear weapons as well as the growing influence of radical anti-western forces to Israel's south in Gaza and to the north in Lebanon."

The package was unveiled by Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice on July 30 as part of a new military pact with US allies in the Middle East in a bid to "counter the negative influences" of militant groups Al-Qaeda and Hezbollah as well as arch enemies Iran and Syria.

The aid includes a 20 billion dollar weapons package for Saudi Arabia, a 13 billion dollar package for Egypt, and reportedly arms deals worth at least 20 billion dollars for other Gulf states.

The military aid to Israel reflected an increase in value of more than 25 percent, Israel Prime Minister Ehud Olmert has said, describing the package as a considerable improvement and very important element for national security.

AFP: US Congress approves Israel aid increase

 

[The Sponge]

Posted on Oct 31st, 2006 by Cinc
I will not sign any bill into law providing foreign aid to Israel and Egypt, if elected U.S. president in 2008. No more grants or loans for any purpose - military or otherwise.

As for Israel: For too long, we have provided welfare to this so-called bastion of Middle Eastern democracy (population: 6.3 million). While Israel may be a democracy, at least on paper, at times it behaves more like a self-righteous, militant theocracy. And I promise, if elected, to end our financial support of that enterprise.
As for Egypt: They've been getting about the same amount as Israel, since the signing of the Camp David Peace Accords. Actually, they've received a bit less, on less generous terms. I believe the sole use of our aid provided to the Egyptians is to suppress local dissent, especially in the form of the Muslim Brotherhood. [What else, you think they're worried about the Sudanese attacking them?] Who knows? Without our aid, the MB might have actually been elected to power as a popular movement long ago (heaven forbid we allow that). Perhaps, once in power, the MB could have had a chance to mellow and evolve away from the more radical elements of their brand of Islam. Generally, suppression breeds hate and terrorism.
As for both Israel and Egypt: Maybe they, and the other players in the Middle East, could better solve their problems without U.S. behind-the-scenes interference.
My passion on this subject is driven by these three considerations:
ONE: "From FY1974 through FY2003, Israel has received more than $45 billion in waived loans [from the U.S. government]." That's right... our government loaned $45 billion to Israel, and then said (in effect), "That's okay, you don't have to pay it back." [It's not okay with me!] Source: Congressional Research Service, Lib. of Congress, www.usembassy.it/pdf/other/IB85066.pdf
TWO: "Unlike other countries, which receive aid in quarterly installments, aid to Israel since 1982 has been given in a lump sum at the beginning of the fiscal year, leaving the U.S. government to borrow from future revenues. Israel even lends some of this money back through U.S. treasury bills and collects the additional interest." [How thoughtful of Israel to loan us our own money!] Source: an article by Dr. Stephen Zunes at WRMEA: U.S. Aid to Israel
THREE: According to an article in the Washington Post (July 16, 2004), the U.S. House was considering a $570 million cut in U.S. military aid to Egypt. It took words from Colin Powell and Condi Rice to help the lawmakers get their heads straight and reject this cut.
As for Egypt, maybe a little unsupressed revolution might help Mubarek get his head straight. As for Israel, some might say (or at least think), "Anyone who would deny Israel's right to U.S. taxpayers' dollars is denying Israel's right to exist." Puhlease...stop...now...I mean it. There are two very good reasons why Israel will do quite nicely without our transfusions of cash and weaponry.
ONE: They have an arsenal of at least 200 nuclear warheads, easily outbalancing any other powers in the Middle East. [I hope no one is going to claim it's an "alleged" arsenal. I'll take (former President) Jimmy Carter's word that Israel indeed has a nuclear arsenal, as given in his book Our Endangered Values.]
TWO: God is on Israel's side. Remember when the walls of Jericho came tumbling down?
Given these two powerful considerations, Israel isn't going anywhere. And it certainly won't get wiped off the map. Now...how about us keeping this money and putting it to good use right here. After all, it is our money. [Repeat after me: It's our money, it's our money...]
Steven Searle for President in 2008: The only candidate with a contract.
"You wouldn't sell your house without a contract; why give your vote away

Stop U.S. Foreign Aid to Israel and Egypt by Steven Searle

 

[Tapir Caper]

Might as well just fly an Israeli flag over the Capitol.

I've read that we subsidize Israelis to the tune of $5,000 per Israeli family per year. Unbelievable. And both of the purple party's candidates have sworn fealty to their masters at the spring AIPAC meeting.