Torah scribe (Archive photo)
Mezuzah being affixed to doorway (Archive photo)
Photo: Tzvika Tischler
What does Israel buy with American aid money? Mezuzahs
US military aid to Israel used to purchase mezuzahs from American Judaica dealers. Mezuzahs purchased to be hung in new Defense Ministry building in Tel Aviv
The Defense Ministry recently used USD 30,000 of American military aid money, but didn't buy guns and ammunition for IDF soldiers. Instead the money was used to purchase mezuzahs for the prime minister, defense minister and military generals.
Israel is obligated to use the military aid money that it receives from the United States on American equipment and merchandise. Israel even committed itself to purchase US equipment worth upwards of USD 30,000.
Though hundreds of millions of dollars from this grant given to Israel by the US administration every year are set aside for military purposes, the Defense Ministry finds some unconventional outlets for using the money.
Even though many Torah scribes make a living writing mezuzah scrolls in Israel, the Defense Ministry preferred to use the American aid money to purchase mezuzahs from American Judaica dealers. These mezuzahs will be affixed to the doorways of all the rooms in the Defense Ministry's new building in the Kirya base in Tel Aviv.
Offices of the prime minister, the defense minister, and generals in the General Staff will be in this building.
The Defense Ministry confirmed the news Tuesday evening and explained that budgetary considerations led them to acquire the mezuzahs from the United States given their lower prices.
