To “compensate” Israel with sophisticated arms that are likely to be used against Palestinians is to reinforce US complicity in Israel’s ongoing occupation.
When 83 Senators signed their April 25, 2016 letter to President Obama urging “substantially enhanced new long-term” arms aid for Israel, the President appeared ready to oblige.
Within hours after the letter’s delivery, a White House official declared that the United States plans to offer Israel “the largest single pledge of military assistance to any country in US history.”
Israel currently receives $3.1 billion a year. While there is not yet an agreed upon figure for a new ten-year package, the Israelis have reportedly asked for more than $4 billion a year
If the Israeli Prime Minister decides not to hold out for an even larger package from the next US President, such an outsized arms gift from the present incumbent would confer unprecedented largesse on the Israeli military and the US defense industry.
It would also enhance President Obama’s reputation as a committed Israel supporter, despite popular perceptions to the contrary. According to an April 29, 2016 article in the New York Times (“Obama-Netanyahu Rift Impedes U.S. offer of Record Aid Deal for Israel”), the President “would like to burnish his legacy with an unprecedented military aid pact with Israel.”
Both Prime Minister Netanyahu and the US senators have based their case for more arms on “a variety of threats” facing Israel and the need to preserve Israel’s “qualitative military edge.”
At the same time, both Israeli and US negotiators appear to accept without question the need to “compensate” Israel for the recent nuclear arms deal with Iran. Such reasoning seems specious because there is no real loss of Israeli security vis-à-vis Iran. Notwithstanding its verbal attacks, Tehran has never threatened Israel militarily. Furthermore, the nuclear deal provides ample monitoring to forestall agreement violations; and Israel has enough military superiority to deter or repel attacks from its neighbors.
To put the proposed new aid package in perspective, consider the following:
- Israel is the largest recipient of US security assistance, taking in 55% of the State Departments Foreign Military Financing budget worldwide.
- Since 1967, the US has given well over $100 billion of tax dollars to Israel in unconditional military aid.
- To date the US military aid is unconditional and contains no restrictions on the type of weapons (e.g. phosphorus bullets and cluster bombs). The Senators’ letter calls for aid increases “while retaining the current terms of our existing aid program.”
- In its 2014 war on Gaza, Israel used US-provided arms to kill more than 1,500 Palestinian civilians, including more than 500 children. Now Israeli planes again bomb the Gaza Strip, perhaps the first step in another heartless “mowing of the lawn.”
- In the escalating Israel-Palestine conflict, it is more likely that US-provided arms will strike Palestinians in Gaza than other regional foes—unless the new arms flow prompts the Israeli Prime Minister to make a preemptive attack on Iran’s nuclear facilities.
- Israel is a serial violator of international law. According to the Washington, DC-based Israel Law Resource Center, such violations include collective punishment, apartheid barriers, illegal acquisition of land by force, ethnic cleansing, Israeli settlements in Palestinian territory—and disregard of some 28 resolutions of the UN Security Council.
- The proposed new aid would continue to violate the so-called “Leahy Law,” which bans security assistance to any country “that engages in a consistent pattern of gross violations of internationally recognized human rights.”
The driver of military aid packages for Israel is the US Congress. Not surprising, since almost all its members “have enjoyed expense-paid junkets to Israel and/or generous campaign contributions” from AIPAC-related lobby organizations and US military contractors. (See “Bucks for Bullets: Expanding Arms Aid for Israel,” Foreign Policy Journal, March 19, 2016). Indeed, the corruption of conflict of interest underlies Congressional generosity to Israel.
To “compensate” Israel with sophisticated arms that are likely to be used against Palestinians is to reinforce US complicity in Israel’s ongoing occupation of the West Bank and East Jerusalem and its siege of Gaza. The US should promote a diplomatic solution to the Israel-Palestine conflict, not fan the flames of war with increased billion dollar grants for the purchased of deadly weapons.
If Palestinians don’t want war with Israel then it’s very simple — don’t attack Israel.
If Palestinians want a “proportional” response from Israel than don’t attack Israel and Israel won’t attack you.
As for the above writer’s assertion that the Iran deal has not at all compromised Israel’s security, consider that within the last week, Iran resumed funding Islamic Jihad in Gaza.
If you were Israel, how would you make peace with a group called “Islamic Jihad”?
What’s more is that the writer has blinding bias — he says that there is some sort of ‘corruption’ involved in Congress helping Israel — but Americans overwhelmingly support Israel against Islamofascist terrorism. We call our Congresspeople and Senators and tell them to continue supporting Israel.
The writer of the above anti-Israel screed doesn’t understand democracy!
If a group of armed illegal immigrants kicked you out of your house and said sky dad said it was ok, then I’m quite certain you would fight back by any way you can
and what about settlements???? do you think that means peace?????
Israel is the regional Superpower,Palestinian home made crude Missiles Qassem, can not Kill people.It`s very strange that you compering Palestinian with mighty Power of Israel. two nation plan is the solution of the conflict.
“Since 2001, Palestinian militants have launched thousands[1][2][3][4] of rocket and mortar attacks on Israel from the Gaza Strip as part of the continuing Arab–Israeli conflict. As of July 2014 the attacks have killed 50 people,[5] and injured more than 1900 people, but their main effect is their creation of widespread psychological trauma and disruption of daily life among the Israeli populace.”
BBC report
You forgot to mention that almost 10,000 Palestinians died ( many more injured) as a direct result of Israeli military aggression during the same time period. Much of this with American made weapons and soldiers subsidized by US tax money.
http://www.ifamericansknew.org/stat/deaths.html
USA aid to Muslim countries versus Israel and results:
——–
USA aid to Muslim countries are one way highway:
USA funds 58 Muslim countries and in return receives terror- hate teaching and destroy America culture quest.
Facts– USA funds for the last 15 years:
Afghanistan =: 120 billion = Iraq= $60billions::: West Bank/Gaza with $30 billion::::Jordan with $35 billion and keep counting all the Muslim states.
————-
USA aid to the defending Israel is a two way highway:
The defending Israel gets funds and USA gets large benefited.
For the last 15 years the defending Israel received 50 billions from USA
What USA- the freedom defender against worldwide Islamisation- received from the defending Israel?
Facts- only 20 examples- much more are available:
1: Israel is the top country of ROI ( return on investment-from the GAO reports. Israel tops in purchases (Jobs), US security knowledge and military ground use when needed.
Israel is not only the top but one of the only that offers all this to the US.
In 2014, the US federal government spent 3.2 Trillion US dollars, with only 4 billion going to Israel,
2: Almost Science Fiction: USA army is fast-tracking an emerging technology which gives combat vehicles , such as Bradleys along with Stykers, Abrams tanks and others
It uses sensors and radar, computer processing, fire control technology and interceptors to find, target and knock down or intercept incoming enemy fire such as RPGs and Anti-Tank Guided Missiles, or ATGMs.
The technology was developed by the Israeli defense companies and is used by
Israeli army
http://nationalinterest.org/blog/the-buzz/almost-science-fiction-new-us-army-tech-instantly-destroys-16121
3: U.S. Defense Secretary Ashton Carter declered:
“”‘There’s no question that American lives have been saved by Israeli technology – the Israelis have contributed more than Europe’
They’re in a league that has very few members”””.
Senator Daniel Inouye, former Chairman of the Intelligence Committee said:
‘””” “The intelligence received from Israel exceeds the intelligence received from all NATO countries combined””””
USA invest in NATO $450 billion per year and in Israeli defense only $3Billion/
4: Iron Dome mobile air defense system—the first successful system in world history- developed entirely by Israel and manufactured with partial USA aid. Israel transfer technology and co-production to the United States.
Gulf States want a multi $billion Iron Dome. The purchase will be through Raytheon, the US partner of Israeli developer Rafael ( Creation of new Knowhow and many Jobs in USA)4: California and Texas are using Israeli technologies and experts to solve the state’s ongoing water problems.
5: General John Keegan, former chief of US Air Intelligence
“”””Israel’s contribution to the US intelligence was equal to five CIAs””””
CIA’s fiscal 2013 budget is $14.7 billion. USA aid to Israeli defense only $3Billion
6: many USA delegations of business, political leaders traveled to Israel to learn how to promote, advance high-tech start-ups to bust jobs in USA.
7: NASA administrator Charles Bolden said that the:
”””‘NASA space agency taps Israeli innovation and technology. Israeli technology is an important part in NASA space missions.”””8:Bil Gates said;
“””” Israel, relative to its population size has contribute the most to the technological revolution and it is critical to the future of the technology business””””
9: Israel flare system saved the lives of many USA pilots
10: *Boeing general manager declared:
“”””The products invented in Israel and manufactured by USA aircraft industry values more than 100 $billion. The timeless availability has a value difficult to measure.””11: Wheelchair-bound US army veterans among the first to use the revolutionary Acrobat Wheel created by Israel’s Soft Wheel.
12: Waren Baffentt said:
“””” If we need oil, stop in Arab countries. If we need brain or technology, stop in Israel”””
13: Israeli high-tech firm’s partners with U.S. companies created tens of thousands of American jobs.
14:Alexander Haig described Israel as the
“”””” “largest US aircraft carrier witch doesn’t require a single American boot on board” saving USA $1milliad per year “””
15: Intel Israel research and development centers designed many of the company’s most successful microprocessors, accounting for some 40 percent of the firm’s revenues last year.
-16: F-16 fighter plane includes over 700 Israeli originated modifications
17: Lockheed Martin in the F-35 program uses Israeli advanced pilot helmet in, wings manufactured in Israel and cyber security products
18: – Israel developed the Arrow III missile system. Boeing USA manufacturing 40–50 percent of the production content
19: Israeli Micro Tactical Ground Robot protects the US Air. Israel supplies 250 robots.
20: USA has adopted in 1985 and is using the Israeli combat armored doctrine in all conflicts.
The 5 best armored commanders in history are posted on the international commander’s wall at the Patton Museum at Fort Knox. 2 out of 5 are Israelis.
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Just a few additional values on top of $ shared by USA and Israel.
— Representative government— independent judicial system—- diverse economy—- human rights— – woman equality—- free and open press—- military meritocracy.
Not perfect system either in USA and Israel- but always on the search to improve
One ground reality cannot be ignored that Israel was originally birthed by USA and to keep it breathing, US finance aid is unavoidable whereas all these muslim countries (Like Afghanistan, Iraq, West Bank/Gaza etc. etc) were initially destroyed by USA and so to shed some crocodiles tears, taxpayers money is used to maintain its hegemony in the Middle East and Asia.
Javed Mir
Is the Mir coming from miracle?
By miracle you compose a history that never exists and still believe in it.
It is psychological known behavior.
In case you don’t know.
USA was against the Israel independence.
Only on the last moment USA president Truman decided to endorse Israel independence
When the 7 Arab armies invaded Israel- USA didn’t required to end their invasion. Egypt army was 20 km from Tel Aviv and 5 km from Jerusalem.
However , when the defending Israel managed to push back the Egyptian invading army and enter Sinai , USA immediately delivered to Israel an ultimatum not to complete the destruction of the invading Egyptian army and pull back.
—
Example of USA help to Muslim world changing the geopolitical status in Muslim favor:
1:USA forced UK and France to return Suez canal to Egypt>
2:USA provided military equipment to Afghans helping to force out USSR.
3:USA intervention stopped the Serbia- Bosnia war helping to the establishment of Muslim Bosnia.
And what USA is getting in return?
Terror and hate
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Experience is a great teacher.
* Ahead of WW2 German army has been trained and rearmed in USSR .
Later to attack the USSR.
*The lesson:
Helping doctrines wishing to destroy your culture have never stopped that to try to implement it latter:
Islamist hates America – either Sunni or Shia
Sunni example:
“”The west has no stomach for a long fight. The only western power still capable to resist Islamism is the USA””
Quote form Sheik Abu Bakar book”: “Government in the wilderness””,
one of modern Islamism core stones.
Shia example:
“Death to America” chant at Friday prayers in mosques has “turned into the symbol of the Islamic republic”
Declered by Islamist Iran MP members after the NUK agreement
All this verbosity not acceptable – just check with UNO record – how many resolutions re Paelstinian dispute were put forward and how many were vetoed by US.
As regards Afghanistan, Russian invasion was thwarted by calling in ‘jihadis’ to protect the oil wells of the Middle East. Later on Afghanistan was invaded in search of one jihadi ie Osama bin Laden who was once selected as hero of the West.
Likewise Iraq was invaded in search of non-existent WMDs in 2003 and Iraq is still bleeding.
Now THAAD system is being deployed on South China Sea to contain China.
Thank you for your comment but your reaction is not fact based.
Israel is our friend and shield In Middle East. Hamas and Abbas and iran are our enemies obama just gave iran 150 billion dollars to create more terror. Whose crazy?