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Bush pledges to increase US funding to Israel
Yitzhak Benhorin
Published: 20.06.07, 17:52
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1. Welfare
C'est Moi ,   Canada   (06.20.07)
Little zion still is a welfare state...a blight unto nations :)
2. Olmert's Faustian Bargain
marya ,   sacramento,USA   (06.20.07)
G-d only knows what Olmert agreed to give up in order to receive more money from the US. Israel doesn't need more Aid from America. Israel needs to be cut loose to make the life and death decisions ALL SOVEREIGN NATIONS must make in order to protect its citizens - without looking over her shoulder to sugar daddy America to get permission to survive... Get rid of Olmert before he screws the nation anymore.
3. US Aid
Abir ,   Chicago, IL USA   (06.20.07)
And some of the Israeli leaders are probably rubbing their palms together in anticipation of grabbing some of this money into their own hands. It is amazing how every major project in Israel, is held up for "lack of funds - The ubiquitous Hebrew words "Ayn Taktziv" (No Budget/funds) are the first reaction to any lack of action. I vividly remember when my son was in Kindergarten in Israel, there was no sand in the sandbox at the beginning of the year. The municipality (in charge of the educational system) told us that there was no money to put sand in the sandbox. This in a country where sand is one of the few things that is abundant. The parents ended up filling up sand from various places and transporting it to the kindergarten and into the sandbox by themselves. Same story was with the lack of other materials. The parents ended up footing the bill. Surprisingly, there are always funds available to fulfil coalition agreements, pay off politicians, and waste the rest on various excesses & inefficiencies. Then begins the open palms policy to the US Government, Diaspora Jewry & other well wishers. Pay for the excesses of a selected few in a corrupt state.
4. Israel would need less aid if US weren't arming its enemies
Raymond from DC ,   Washington, DC USA   (06.20.07)
This article neglects to mention that the Camp David Accords provided aid not only to Israel but to Egypt as well - in the range of $2.4 billion per year, most of it military. Exactly who Egypt sees as its potential enemy is not specified, but we know who it is. The US also continues to push for arming and training of Palestinian forces (most of those arms have recently fallen into Hamas' hands), and it continues selling advanced weaponry to the likes of Saudi Arabia. Were the US not so determined to arm Israel's neighbors, it would not need to provide so much to aid for Israel's defense. Of course, maybe the US *likes* maintaining this dependency relationship so it can maintain its influence. Count me among those who want Israel not to be so dependent on the US. That Olmert would seek to reverse the trend to end that dependency is yet another black mark on his so-called leadership.
5. Welfare Saved Your Sorry Ass, #1
Jerry Sussman ,   Alexandria, USA   (06.20.07)
Welfare? Try the hundreds of billions of US dollars that went into NORAD (North American Radar Air Defense) and related systems to protect your sorry Canadian asses during the Cold War. Or the even larger amounts the US contributed to NATO to protect the European leeches. Then there was Korea, Vietnam, Kuwait, etc. No word about welfare then, was there? The aid package to Israel now consists almost entirely of military aid, most of which is plowed back into the USA. Much more U.S. "welfare" goes to Egypt and Jordan. What does US get in return? Read today's paper for some examples (US Marines in Iraq now using armored personnel carrier, MRAP, designed and manufactured in Israel as the Golan.
6. #1 shut up and go to hell!
Matt ,   Israel   (06.20.07)
no-one needs your opinion.
7. Not a Peacenik for the USA
Dave Levy ,   Burbank. CA USA   (06.20.07)
To Marya: Iraq receives about 100b in aid (including payments for our end of the war) annually. Egypt receives 2b year. Pakistan gets billions. We are supporting AIDs programs to the extent of billions. So giving israel some dollars each year to pay for their military arsenals, purchased in the States..is really no big deal. Olmert will not be P.M. forever..but the funding will continue for years afterwards. If no money was granted, the US would still pull Israel's strings. Israel cannot play one against the other, like the Arabs, AND Palestinians. But, the real question is: do you contribute to Israel besides posting on the Internet? Every dollar reduces Israel's need for the US charity. Olmert is learning fast...the US supports a viable 2 state solution. Pressure is slowly building up on Iran. The surge is hurting the Iraqi insurgents. So there is a bright future..except of course if a peacenik becomes US Pres in 2008.
8. #1, Israel contributes ALOT more than Quebec
David ,   Boston, USA   (06.20.07)
9. I dont get it? Better for both Israel and US to end the aid
David ,   Boston, USA   (06.20.07)
It puts Israel in much better shape. Israel should instead be suing the PA for war crimes and select news agencies for incitement.
10. No amount of US money can pay for Jewish lives
Tracy W   (06.20.07)
that will be lost under the Bush-sponsored arrangement. Enough already! Get rid of that terrorist-led PA and use the money to fund the emigration of Palestinian families to Jordan. You can't legislate the democratization of a group of people divided by ideology, clans, and hatred. Arab towns in Judea and Samaria are not even in a concentrated territory. Everybody knows what that means: more expulsions, more Jewish refugees for the sake of yet another Arab terrorist country. Why punish the law-abiding Jews? Why not disperse and dilute that nest of terrorism that is the PA/Gaza over Jordan and Egypt? It would be helpful if Americans were to write to Bush and tell him to stop this disaster before it's too late.
11. to #1
Brooke ,   CDA--proudly not Que   (06.20.07)
A shame I live in the same country as you. Let me guess...Quebec? Home of the terrorists and Jew haters.? You should stop using all of Israels inventions, beginning with the puter you spew your rabid hatred from and the cell phone you spread your sicknees and delusions with. Maybe if the US stopped financing the murderous palis, they would need far less in military spending. Wake up world, let Israel live in peace and there will be only peace from her . She will continue, uninterrupted, the miraculous inventions she constantly bestows upon the world to better humanity.
12. US aid is a form of bribery
Steve ,   US   (06.20.07)
American aid emboldens each U.S. administration to demand painful concessions from Israel which hurt Israel's security. Look at Israel since she began receiving more and more US aid since the early nineteen seventies. She is more and more dependent on America and less and less secure. US diplomats want a helpless, dependent Jewish state. Were Israel to defeat her enemies rather than make concessions to them, she would not need to increase military spending so dramatically. The more Israel depends on the US, the weaker she becomes. Mr. Bush and Dr. Rice like this relationship. They do not want a strong self-sufficient Jewish state.
13. Direct aid to Israeli Jews
Debbie ,   Seattle   (06.20.07)
Those who wish to offer financial help, would do much better by giving it directly to Yesha Jewish organizations, whether as donations or through housing investments. The traditional Jewish aid organizations are somewhat discredited now. The Yesha people is the most in need and the most abandoned by the state.
14. Ha, Ha....
Southern California   (06.20.07)
Israel would have never existed with out my Tax Dollars helping. Your government will always be in the shadows of the mighty USA.....
15. Re: #14 S. California
Steve ,   US   (06.20.07)
You say: "Israel would have never existed with out my Tax Dollars helping." Perhaps. "Your government will always be in the shadows of the mighty USA....." It looks that way at least for the foreseeable future. I sure would like to see the Olmerts, the Livinis, the Netanyahus, the Peres's get off the US government teat. I could only wish you could shame these shameless leaders.
16. New Orealns don't need the money?
kal ,   belfast   (06.21.07)
US citizen in desperate need and completely ignored.....
17. What? Look at the defense exports
Shiloh   (06.21.07)
America gives us 2 billion, while we export in arms sales to the American's around 3 Billion!!!!!! Looks to me that they are really the welfare state and the shape the economy of the usa is showing pre depression symptoms. Time to move to the Euro just as did Dick Cheney with his investments. Sort of weird, don't you say?
18. Israel aid
Max Ross ,   Lancaster, USA   (06.21.07)
Israel is situated like a bee in a hornet's nest. There is no valid reason for its existence right in the middle of the Arab world.
19. 10 dollars a year for every american
Bob ,   Medina   (06.21.07)
Let's put this into perspective. 2.4 billion dollars a year means that each and every american pays about 10 dollars a year to a country with one of the largest GNP's in the world. No wonder 1/3rd of my paycheck goes to Uncle Sam every month.
20. Arming Israel
Jeff Fillmore ,   Kingsley, Mi USA   (06.21.07)
Bush is unwise to arm a self serving country that has been caught spying on America.. I doubt that Israel would back America in a time of need. Israel is a 'My-Me-Mine' country that only thinks of itself and whines 'No Fair' is someone says they don't like them. The American government should make Israel 'Stand Up' and stop supporting them. The money could well serve America.
21. When will wequit supporting Arabs lies?
Dona Frederick ,   Robinson, U>S>A>   (06.21.07)
Former terrorist have let us know that the Koran says they can lie & not keep any agreement, so why insist Israel keep making them & giving up land for lies? We wouldn't!! Islam is for world domination, so how can the U>S> agree with them on any, thing?Let the Arabs & Egypt, support their own, & quit draining the U.S. Neither , are our friends!! Will out government ever, learn that lesson??GOD HIMSELF, gave ALL, of Israel & much more, to the Jews. Arabs have 90% more then Israel, & can't help their own, so why should Israel, share their, tiny portion?Would the U.S. do that, if they were in Israels place? I think not!!Nor would trhe Arabs or Egytpians, or anyone else. Let the Arabs STOP, USING, the Pelistinians, to get Israels land.& take care of their people, themselves!!! Wake up, U.S.!!!Why should America keep cow towing to the Saudi's? You know they lie thru their teeth, while knifing us in the back!!! Even former terrorist say that. They laugh at us while doing it!!, too!!
22. Steve #15
Ron ,   Souther California   (06.21.07)
I wish I could Steve..... It will take people like us to stop this....... Good Day!
23. #19 Bob - $10 a year?
Otter ,   Canada   (06.21.07)
Another perspective is to think of how much more you're paying in the war on terror originated by ... you know whom. The billions spent in Iraq and the billions spent at home upgrading security, building new weaponry to deal with terror and guerrilla warfare, and, let's not forget, the thousands of lives lost in 9-11 and the war in Iraq. You resent ten bucks a year (I trust your figures, I haven't done my own checking), but the money comes back to your country in terms of weapons sales to Israel. Why don't you resent the upheaval that a certain ideology has brought to the whole world, particularly your own country, and the new expenses that it has originated and that you have to pay out of your hard-earned paycheck
24. U.S. Aid to Israel
Dennis Spain ,   Kamuela Hi USA   (06.22.07)
Israel is further enabled to do whatever the hell it wants in the Middle East. Evidently apartheid is OK when it is Jewish apartheid. The Israeli Lobby continues to support U.S. politicians who have no understanding of the history of the Middle East, and politicians being the lowlifes that they are, will continue to pander, and we can anticipate unending war in the region. I only know one thing for sure---not with my son will you get to do your shabby deeds!
25. bush pledges $ to israel
eileen kuch ,   hyattsville, usa   (06.22.07)
Bush has NO right to pledge tax-payer money from non-Jews to finance a strictly Jewish state, as it violates freedom of religion. To do so is the felonious crime of GRAND LARCENY, as NO US taxpayer had ever given consent to this aid.
26. #23 reply
Bob ,   Medina, USA   (06.22.07)
"war on terror originated by ... you know whom" They say it takes two to tango... and this is definately an instance this seems to be true. I'm not sure there is a clear originator and sending people more weapons certainly isn't the answer (unless you're looking for another "final solution" be it jews or muslims). The cost of the Iraq war to USA citizens in tax dollars? 250/person/year (assuming you trust this site's figures) http://www.antiwar.com/henderson/?articleid=10623 I guess the worst part of all of this is that people (like myself) don't know a damned thing about what's going on (I've known 2 friends from Palestine (one of which I haven't heard from since she graduated and went back to palestine) and several more from Israel) and they all paint a different picture than the news media. For all the Jews and Muslim's I've known, none of them have been radical like on TV. So I do believe it's a select few. I have a very interesting talk with a student from Iran at a conference a while back. He had an interesting opinion on the whole situation. He said their government really isn't much different than ours in the US. They can vote for people... but what choised do people there really have (just like when it was Bush vs. Kerry here in the US). He said the only real differance is that Iran doesn't have the money we do here in the US. When the US goes to war people here hardly notice except for what the see on the news. Our country has enough money to act as a buffer and enough weapons to do just about anything. Yet, in his country when they go to to war the entire country shuts down. All the factories are turned into war factories and everyone is forced to work. They don't have the money or the resources to do any less (if they want to actually "win" a war that is).
27. Bush Military aid to Israel
Gulshanin ,   Vancouver Canada.   (06.22.07)
Bush pledges to increase US funding to Israel military proves his hatred for Palestinians. He really enjoys watching Palestinians being killed by Israeli's Weapon of Mass Destruction. Yet! Bush is after Iran for their Nukes, which is not doing any harm to anybody. What a hypocrisy and double standard. Bush will be definitely in the Black Book of God who punishes such sinners.
28. aid to 'israel'
banjina ,   thailand   (06.22.07)
what a joke!
29. #6 response to you
banjina ,   thailand   (06.22.07)
and why do you think no one needs #1's opinion? because YOU said so? shall #1 come out to 'Israel'? after all you did tell her go to hell....
30. Tracy # 10
Janet W. Haifa ,   Oakville, Canada   (06.22.07)
If you are afraid of Palestinian terrorism, why don't you pack and go back to your original home? You and/or your parents must have moved to Palestine after 1948. Get it into your head: the Palestinians are the indigenous people of the land you are occupying.
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