From Uncle Sam to Gaza
U.S. non-profit organizations have been funding settlements for the past decade, Ynet has learned
But one thing is clear: American non-profit organizations have raised more than USD 100 million over the past 10 years in order to assist settlements in the territories, a Ynet investigation reveals.
Documents show that settlers have enough financial means to live without government support, organize the "ultimate public relations battle" and motivate forces on the ground.
The investigation is based on annual financial statements filed with the Internal Revenue Service up to the year 2003. Statements for 2004 were filed on April 15 and will only be published next year.
While most Jewish Americans support the disengagement plan and the IDF's retreat from the Gaza Strip, America is still the land of unlimited opportunities for settlers and a source of immense financial support, especially from New York's ultra-Orthodox Jews and Christian Evangelists.
FBI is on the case
It is true the settlers received most of their financial support over the years – billions of dollars – from Israel's governments; but even if the state funding would cease, the settlers may still be able to raise millions of dollars in the U.S. to continue their public battle against the expected Gaza and West Bank pullout.
Settler fund-raising is big business, and there are those who constantly work to keep the money machine rolling.
During Benny Elon's (National Union) tenure as Tourism Minister he frequently visited the U.S. to raise money from Evangelists and Jews who support the settlement enterprise; other right-wing Knesset members often make these fund-raising trips as well.
A few emotional stories told to American Jews about the heroism displayed by the settlers – and the dollars keep coming.
The money, however, does not always reach its destination in a direct manner.
According to a recent Newsweek report, the FBI is investigating lobbyist Jack Abramoff, a close acquaintance of House Majority Leader Tom DeLay.
Abramoff is suspected of transferring USD 140,000 to the West Bank settlement of Beitar Elite from a fund he had established to support poverty-stricken children in the U.S., the report said.
