U.S. official: More U.S. aid will help Israel make 'tough' decisions
U.S. is confident that Iron Dome will provide improved defense for the people of Israel, says assistant secretary of state.
By Natasha MozgovayaAn expanded security aid package would allow Israel to reach tough decisions in its peace talks with the Palestinians, U.S. Assistant Secretary of State Andrew J. Shapiro said Friday, adding that Washington planned to provide Israel with its most extensive security aid package in history.
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U.S. Assistant Secretary of State Andrew J. Shapiro |
| Photo by: Natasha Mozgovaya |
Speaking at the Brookings Saban Center for Middle East Policy in Washington D.C., the assistant secretary spoke of the administration's intention to enhance the annual security aid it provides Israel, saying that in "2010, the administration requested [from Congress] $2.775 billion in security assistance funding specifically for Israel, the largest such request in U.S. history."
Shapiro linked the expanded aid package with the possibility of furthering peace talks with the Palestinian Authority, saying that it was the "hope that the administration’s expanded commitment to Israel’s security will advance the process by helping the Israeli people seize this opportunity and take the tough decisions necessary for a comprehensive peace."
"This Administration believes that pursuing peace between Israel and the Palestinians, and Israel and its neighbors can be a mutually reinforcing process," the assistant secretary said, adding that it was "more essential than ever to make progress on all tracks."
Shapiro reiterated what he called the U.S. commitment to Israel's security, saying that "Israel’s right to exist, and to defend itself, is not questionable. No lasting peace will be possible unless that fact is accepted."
"Israel is a vital ally and a cornerstone of our regional security commitments," Shapiro added, saying that "U.S. support for Israel’s security is much more than a simple act of friendship."
"We are fully committed to Israel’s security because it enhances our own national security and because it helps Israel to take the steps necessary for peace," the assistant secretary said.
Referring to the security threats which brought the administration to expand its aid package, Shapiro said, "Today Israel is facing some of the toughest challenges in its history," adding that the administration was "particularly focused on Israel’s security precisely because of the increasingly complex and severe threats that it faces in the region."
"While the most grave, the Iranian nuclear program is one of many serious security threats in the region," Shapiro said at the Saban Center, saying that "Iran and Syria both pose significant conventional challenges."
Intersecting with the threats posed by those countries, the assistant secretary said, were "the asymmetrical threats posed by Hezbollah and Hamas, whose rockets indiscriminately target Israeli population centers, and whose extensive arms smuggling operations, many of which originate in Tehran and Damascus, weaken regional security and disrupt efforts to establish lasting peace between Israel and its neighbors."
Shapiro also detailed the ways in which the United States planned to bolster Israel's security, which included the sale of the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter, joint training exercises, research and development, and the funding of the Iron Dome missile defense system, developed to answer the threat of short to medium ranged rockets being fired by both Hamas and Hezbollah.
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Anti-missile system Iron Dome, meant to protect Israeli towns from rocket attacks. |
| Photo by: Rafael Advanced Defense Systems LTD. |
"Iron Dome," Shapiro said, "fills a gap in Israel’s multi-tiered defense system. Israel has conducted thorough tests of Iron Dome components and we’ve conducted an evaluation of our own. We are confident that Iron Dome will provide improved defense for the people of Israel."
A Washington Post report published prior to Shapiro's address that a high-level exchanges of military and defense officials took place almost every week.
The report cited a Pentagon source as saying that more than 75 at the deputy assistant secretary level or above in the past 15 months.
The Washington Post also cited Anthony H. Cordesman of the Center for Strategic and International Studies as saying that an agreement signed toward the end of the Bush administration meant that almost a quarter of Israel's actual defense expenditures came from the United States.
Again referring to the possible effect such military support could have on future peace talks with the PA, Shapiro said that "bolstering Israel’s security against the rocket threat will not by itself facilitate a two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict."
"Conversely, a two-state solution will not in and of itself bring an end to these threats. But our support for Iron Dome and similar efforts do provide Israel with the capabilities and the confidence that it needs to take the tough decisions ahead for a comprehensive peace," Shapiro added.
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Netanyahu was elected on the basis of the disavowal of ALL prior Israeli government agreements. That included even treaties with the USA which he uses as TP. How many Americans of non-Jewish ancestry can get into Bethlehem? That is a treaty right.
Remember, What Uncle Sam giveth he can also take away and / or use to impose his will on your nation.
Thanks you to our peaceful palestinian
Israel should not receive any additional military or foreign aid until there is a solid, viable agreement between Israel and Palestine on two states. Any additional aid in the absence of such an agreement is just pandering to an Israel still committed to zealotry.
Stop attacking Israel -- that's the best protection.
"$2.775 billion in security assistance funding" is a guaranteed LOAN for good Israel will buy or help develop in the USA, One has to get real, if the Iron Dome is such a success why isn't the USA didn't develop it so it until now for using it in Iraq, Pakistan or Afghanistan? Does anyone remembers the Patriot? What good did it do? Nothing it was worthless for the exception of giving Israelis falls feeling of security.
"Israel is a vital ally and a cornerstone of our regional security commitments" - Shapiro This is a false assessment. Here is an assessment from a national security expert, not a diplomatic expert: "America’s ties to Israel are NOT based primarily on U.S. strategic interests. At the best of times, an Israeli government that pursues the path to peace provides some intelligence, some minor advances in military technology, and a potential source of stabilizing military power that could help Arab states like Jordan. Even then, however, any actual Israeli military intervention in an Arab state could prove as destabilizing as beneficial.. Israel should show enough discretion to reflect the fact that it is a TERTIERY U.S. strategic interest in a complex and demanding world.. Israel’s government should act on the understanding that the long-term nature of the U.S.-Israel strategic relationship will depend on Israel clearly and actively seeking peace with the Palestinians—the kind of peace that is in Israel’s own strategic interests. Israelis should understand that the United States opposes expansion and retention of its settlements and its efforts to push Palestinians out of greater Jerusalem. Israeli governments should plan Israeli military actions that make it clear that Israel will use force only to the level actually required, that carefully consider humanitarian issues from the start, and that have a clear post-combat plan of action to limit the political and strategic impact of its use of force." - Anthony Cordesman (2 June 2010) csis.org/publication/israel-strategic-liability
Why would Israel need 2.775 billion dollars in charity?
To protect us from the Islamic invasion, otherwise we will have to battle. Better to give money than our kids
Wright (16) is right. The terms could be what Ilan Pappe suggests in an article of 6 June : "removing the army from the lives of the ... Palestinians in the West bank, lifting the blockade in Gaza and stopping the racist ... legislation against the Palestinians inside Israel." See http://israelpalestineblogs.com/2010/06/27/epalestine-hearld-scotland-essay-of-the-week-what-drives-israel-by-ilan-pappe/
As a jew I can not go and live in the Hamas state. This is the real racist state with a real isalmist "Charia". The UN camps has been targeted by the Hamas guy due to there was boy and girl in the same children camp- That's the real freedom and democratie - First Look at your own situation.
Before you do throw such money on a useless cause try and pay the back the American national debt ....
I will give you this umbrella toy to apease you and vote for me. I know this gift isn't efficiant.
I've often noted that it is impossible to make a statement of more than about one hundred words in length in support of Israel without lapsing into falsehood. Shapiro's remarks are an excellent illustration of that principle.
This is the most idiotic statement ever, that more military aid will make Israel more willing to make peace. In short, Peace will bring about more military funding. I hope Israel's leaders don't swallow the bait.
That's all I can say. An Iron Dome for Netenyahu and Leiberman. That's exactly what the world needs. Bet you anything it will end up protecting illegal settlements in the West Bank, and illegal housing in East Jerusalem. Nice to know American Tax dollars are being spent so well. Beware the industrial military complex.
OOHH poor Americans! You get abused in war and you get abused in peace. I wish that I get a sugar daddy like you.
If you were not all too stuip too realise that you bomb us= you loose. You selebrate terror acts= you loose. But that is too dificult too comprehend as you are busy educating yourself how to kill more infidels
Please set up few Iron Dome for the settlers.
wtf? i thought Israel was a thriving capitalist democracy. you are telling me they don't have enough money to buy weapons anymore, that we have to give it to them as "aid"? that would be like us giving military aid to the chinese or british. this shapiro guy sounds like a quintessential schill, like any politician.
The Ha'aretz talkback board has always been pretty left wing, but it's never been as full of idiocy as it has in the present. America buys it's own weapons and gives them to its allies as foreign aid. It's been doing so forever and is a major cornerstone of investment in their own arms industry. I challenge any of you to do the most BASIC research into where this money is going. Have a look at where all those billions are spent and whether the main benefactor is the US arms industry or the Israeli arms industry. Whether the recipient of these government SUBSIDIES (which is what they should be called) are workers in America or in Israel. It's such a basic, basic logic. But how many idiots on this board cry out... "Money for the Jews! Money for the Jews". Idiocy! Idiocy!!!
Its an economical trick, and I guess Americans should thank Israel for giving them jobs? What the outcome will be, it will be a loss for USA as they loan these money from FDR for interest. Or are you like most right-wingers here thinking that the money USA gives away just magically pops up from nowhere. As if someone upstairs just throws money down on the _enabler_
If Iron Dome had been designed to protect Sderot, it would never have been given it's expensive vehicular base. Iron Dome was intended to protect mobile IDF units while they moved. Sderot was just an excuse. How 'good' does it have to be? Consider the qassam, which has far less than a 50% chance of hitting anywhere near it's aim point. If the target is of small consequence, it is likely to be destroyed, and unlikely to cause damage, then whacking even 50% of them is good, 90% is great. The BIG question is whether spending lots of money to prevent the landing of say 4-5% of very cheap missiles is a strategic victory or a strategic catastrophe. For the political gain of 'defending' those foolish enough to live in Sderot, all Israelis may pay a huge cost in Iron Dome munitions. Thus a tactical weapons system justified by a essentially fraudulent strategic objective might become a strategic disaster. But, if the IDF ever engages in a major war against a major rocket armed army, then Iron Dome will be worth the cost.
Give peace a chance because it's cheaper and America is broke.
And all this time I thought that the USA with it's budget exceeding the whole of the rest of the world combined, on a per-capita basis, would easily out-do Israel, even my own Australia for that matter, on a per-capita basis. No, I'm not about to waste time looking this rubbish up statistically. Because all of these countries are totally wrong morally. At the top of the tree, how many Americans are on the food stamp lines? How many Americans are on the unemployment lines? As a world society, are we so insane that we pursue stupid, insane war-like policies which never benefit the ordinary "little people"? Oh, I forgot, they are systemically the "canon fodder", always have been, always will be, just continue their steady diet of BS to coerce them. Wouldn't it be nice if these vast sums were devoted to health and ecucation in their respective countries? A radical idea, some would say, "a most dangerous idea", a man with an independent thought? Isn't it high time the "so called" world grew up?
They go together like Arab oil and water.
...about the American global conquest with its multiple wars. This is the real threat !
The money is only a Loan guarantee to be spent in the USA. So yes it will be "fulling the US economy and Israel will be paying it back as always, and people like you will be barking up a storm. By the way in all the years Israel has received aid from the USA it has never defaulted on a loan, unlike most other countries such as Mexico, Brazil. None of the Arabs ever had to pay back a penny. If you like peace why aren't you screaming against the $billions given in support of terrorism?
If there is more aid, it should be paid for by a specific tax and our military families should be exempt. How many billion are you willing to pay in specially designated taxes over and above your current tax load? How about a special tax for the Iraq war and the Afghan war? We cannot do everything on borrowing of entirely on the backs of the poor and unemployed.
A tank in every living room! An F-16 in every driveway! Comprehensive traffic reports, coz every street will have its own drone buzzing overhead! No need to put the garbage in the bin: just toss it in the air and Iron Dome will do the rest! Blockade drains? Fear not! Simply ring 555-BARAK and a commando squad will fast-rope down from Apache helicopters before you can say "Thank you, Mr. Shapiro!".
The best humorous post I have seen for quite a while, and quite right too.
This is, what, the third or fourth thime Shapiro has popped up in the last six months and basically acted as Israel's advocate within the Obama Administration. Is he Dennis Ross' love-child, or have those experiments in cloning finally produced a breakthrough?
If Israel felt valurnable it would look at peace as a strategic goal, this unlimited almost aid, makes Israel unaccountable and irresponsible, and why should they? Current polocies lead to greater and greater assistance.
Surrender now, make every Arab your citizen, let it become Palestine and then we in the US will do the same. I would love to see your wife wear a veil in your new found religion. Peace and Arabs is like oil and water. Together they will never mix
I wonder what a pro Israel Obama would do
Having super friendly chat with Bibi, promising more military aid, etc But I assure you, pro Israel Obama is only going to last until November.
Absolutely disgraceful. America should, if it is genuine party for peace, supply the Palestinians with the most up-to-date weaponary that money can buy so that there can be no more military incursions by the Israeli army and both sides will be too afraid to attack each other!
"$2.775 billion in security assistance funding specifically for Israel, the largest such request in U.S. history." Thank God there is money for Israel, especially after Congress decided it couldn't afford to extend funding for unemployed AMERICANS.
Memo to state department: Israel has no interest in peace. None. Only land. And speaking of never stopping: all these Jews in Washington ... how many? They're everywhere, absolutely everywhere. Every department, every branch. Americans have no friggin idea. I wish all the Jews in Washington had Hispanic names. Then Americans might notice how their government has been completely taken over. (And with the Latinos, they at least are 15 percent of the population.)
There is an element of truth to this statement regarding Jewish presence in Washington, but when stated in an exaggerated manner, your detractors will be quick to accuse you of being a special kind of Semite...
It's very good and very important that the US assists Israel and provides it with military hardware. But the direst need for Israel is the legitimation to use these capabilities, the right of Israel to defend itself. I think, the US support for Israel's right to defend itself would be much more important for the success of the peace talks. For example, the US unequivocal stance in regard of Goldstone report of Gaza flotilla incident. Than we in Israel would have known, that Israel's withdrawal from Gaza was good for Israel, for its international standing, and that now, when Israel is no longer in Gaza, it has more freedom to defend itself against aggression, emanating from Gaza. And therefore, it would be good for Israel to leave the West Bank, too. Unfortunately, what we see right now is exactly the opposite. The Europe and the USA made very clear, that concessions and withdrawals make Israel's international standing worse, its freedom to defend itself even more limited and its very right to exist questioned. Many Israelis, as the result, wonder, if it worth to make more concessions at all.
How much money and support does the State of Israel need from its benefactor before it is satisfied? Is it ever satisfied? Enough already.
Obama is down to trying bribery. That will not work, for Peace is the problem, not the solution.
A bankrupt America is borrowing billions from China to donate it to Israel. Israel should borrow the money for this system from China itself.
Shapiro and his mediocre administration must be jack asses. Don't they read history. We have been repeating the same mistake since 1948. Israel demands and Uncle Sam gives without reciprocity. I guess Netanyahu is right when he says: "I know what America is. America is something that can be moved easily." He clearly thinks America is led by idiots. Bibi's recent visit to the White House and Shapiro's remarks at the Saban Center support that claim.
"We are fully committed to Israel’s security because it enhances our own national security." Dude, we have two wars going on in Muslim countries, and Israel wants to start a third against Iran. Israel is playing us like a fiddle. They dangle "peace talks" in front of us and we cough up another few billion. Is Mr. Shapiro really that dense that he doesn't see what's going on? I doubt it.
Today I saw a news item about 80 police being fired in an American city, and we are arming Israel and spending money we do not have on Israel. Too bad regular Americans do not know about it!
Over the past 60 years, Americans have gifted or written off more than $300 BILLION to Israel - for what? This time, they claim it is to 'buy' peace. So, let's make this simple - if, after 18 months, there is no formal, signed peace accord, Israel must re-pay the $2.7 billion. simple, no?
Very logical indeed
and it's an ongoing issue of security for Israel which is understandable given the recent threats from Iran. However, this is parallel to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and emphasis by the Quartet to return to the negotiation table. Whether the territorial dispute exists or didn't exist with regards to the Palestinians and Syria, the security defense system might have arisen in any case.
There's never been any conditions for US aid and I assume this would be the same. Hence, there is no impetus for Israel to end the occupation. All there ever is 60 years of talk.
Well, they give other help under conditions (USA AID, : Sex Ed Forbidden), so why would they not give 2.7 billion under conditions.
If US really wanted peace in the middle east they would stop giving money to Israel. That way there might be some incentive for peace, instead of just maintaining the status quo.
I would not turn Israel loose to the wolves. Obviously, they would smell blood and attack. But we could certainly give up the Israeli military "qualitative edge" doctrine and replace it with one of promised massive and painful retaliation to the party who launches a hell-bent attack (be it a Yom Kippur or a Cast Lead or an Ayatollah Rock-n-Roll-ya).
Yes! More billions! More weapons! That is precisely what Israel needs the most. If it's not already behaving enough like a spoiled bully, you keep on trying. When will Americans stand up to this criminal funding of oppression and apartheid?
Most help is not cash. Where do you think the military equipment is made? What country does that provide jobs for? I know people just hate it when Israel get anything from the U.S., I can't help that. But the fact is Israel is important to U.S. national security and the U.S. get vast R&D benefits from this relationship that are of important military value to the U.S. and we know Israel won't betray the secrets they themselves invent and share with the U.S.. By contrast countries like Pakistan would and have given nuke tech to terrorists.
Is that every F-16 for Israel is one less F-16 for the USAF, and every $billion in military aid is another $billion in military equipment that *doesn't* go to the US Army. MfG: "What country does that provide jobs for?" Straw man, because if that were the rationale then Obama could give those $billions to Gates and say "Here, you spend it on shit for OUR army".
Sorry Johnboy your logic if want to call it that is seriously flawed. The less than $3 bil referred to the U.S. spends in what 1 hour, it deprives our military of nothing. Nice try but a rather silly objection without factual foundation.
Most help is not cash. Where do you think the military equipment is made? What country does that provide jobs for? I know people just hate it when Israel get anything from the U.S., I can't help that. But the fact is Israel is important to U.S. national security and the U.S. get vast R&D benefits from this relationship that are of important military value to the U.S. and we know Israel won't betray the secrets they themselves invent and share with the U.S.. By contrast countries like Pakistan would and have given nuke tech to terrorists.
Unlike all other military aid recipients ISRAEL gets the money up-front. That is done so that Israel (again, alone amongst the military aid recipients) can then skim 20% off that money pile and spend it inside Israel i.e. the USA actually subsidizes the Israeli arms industry in competition to its own. NOBODY else is offered those terms, Mark. NOBODY.
Interesting way of phrasing it. But the 75% plus spent here does create U.S. jobs, right? The loan guarantees signed by the U.S. come with the condition that most of the money be spent in the U.S., and Israel's unique status simply requires special agreements, so what?
"Assistant Sec. of State Shapiro says U.S. funds for Iron Dome anti-missile system, increased security aid package, could aid stalling Mideast peace talks". What kind of convoluted logic is that? How is this an aid to peace talks? I would have imagined sitting down at the table as an honest, transparent participant would have gone a lot further. Peace will come when Israel honestly faces up to its international obligations, abandons its expansionist dreams and stands behind its agreements. More weapons solves nothing except if you are trying to intimidate the other side and that will never work. Surely by now the Americans must realise that. Then again the rapacious military-industrial complex needs to be fed and this is as good a way as any. Absolutely nothing to do with peace of course, quite the opposite, but then again when would that occur to Americans?
Of course we (Americans) realize the many problems that come with funding Israel. Many of us would like to end that relationship, but like you note, the military-industrial complex is strong. When we stop worrying about short-term threats like oil spills or terrorism, and start thinking about structural issues that plague our system (campaign funding, corporate personhood, etc.) we might actually have a chance at fighting back. Keep in mind that a democracy might be a fair system, but its one that changes and adapts very slowly. We've gained the benefits of being able to never fear having a dictator, but that has some at the expense of extremely slow reaction.
How about making it conditional on an actual peace deal instead of talks? What's the final bill going to be?
Israel needs a friend in the US and they will get it. Israel is not perfect (no country is) but they act out of self defense in a region that wants to push them into the sea. Arab countries are jealous of Israel's success. Israel's democracy makes the dictators of the Arab countries nervous.
My wallet won't take any more. Israel, go find another sugar daddy.
The US is using the wrong approach with Likud. These people are IDEOLOGUES; you don't buy them with hard cash. With such people, only the big stick works. What worked with Shamir, the really hardline Likudnik? The US DENIED Israel loan guarantees meant to help in the absorption of the Russian Aliya. This too was money, so it didn't work much on Shamir, but the Israeli public understood the possible future implications and brought down the Shamir government. Mr. Obama, if you pay, Israelis will take it that hardline is advantageous, even financially. Israel can use some good and clearly understood threats.
is the problem. you can't even peacefully co-exist amongst yourselves. the war needs to be taken to you, before you nuke the rest of us. islam and democracy are not compatible. i shall never bow before sharia law. not in the free world! you have no place!
That's a great place to start!
'Whose going to protect palestinians from Israeli attacks...' Answer: A Palestinian leader who recognizes Israel and its Jewish character and decides to make peace while stopping all terror, missiles, boycotts against Israel, biased anti Israel and anti semitic acts in the UN etc. elsewhere
Any expansion of US aid should be performance based, NOT as a bribe to maybe consider some future action. The US and the Palestinians have been down the Oslo road and seen how promises of future consideration work - NOT AT ALL
Future consideration will not work for Israel as long as it has no partner to do peace with. Arafat didn't want peace, and neither does Abu-Mazen.
Abbas is trying to do security, despite Israeli politicians interference in the West Bank. Netanyahu won't even say in Hebrew what he says in English. - He's Arafat's twin.
Is this a joke??? Are we in US total idiots to believe that? Making Israel even stronger only makes it more arrogant and less in need for peace.
You better believe it ... we are total idiots in the US. We are also good at it after 62 years of experience!
She wouldn't exist! But Arab/Islamic historical and spiritual revisionism would thrive in the area telling everyone how great and exclusive they are and how the world should seriously consider converting over or else.
sned more arms to the taliban in Afghanistan and the insurgents in Iraq and they wil be interested in making peace. They might even meekly surrender to the US.
Nor is it new: this has actually been the rationale behind US military aid to Israel since 1967 i.e. if you make the IDF strong enough then the Israelis will feel confortable about making peace. It's worked a treat so far, hasn't it?
Israel cannot hide behind the "existential" cloak any more. Israel is strong enough already, and if she gives the Golan back to Syria, she would have no more enemies in the Arab world. But land-grab is a covert government policy (Settlers, hilltop boys, etc...) This cannot last forever.
In 1996 while speaking to a joint session of the US Congress, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said, “there can be no greater tribute to America's long standing economic aid to Israel than for us to be able to say we are going to achieve economic independence.” Fourteen years have passed and security donations from the US taxpayer to Israel have increased rather than decrease...Bibi wouldn't lie about this would he?
Israel doesn't need American financial assistance if America want to mind its own business and stop interfering in Israeli domestic politics. Only because America is blindly encouraging Israel to deal a peace deal with the Palestinian terrorist entity does America feel guilty and consider more funding.
Shapiro said that "Today Israel is facing some of the toughest challenges in its history," adding that the administration was "particularly focused on Israel’s security precisely because of the increasingly complex and severe threats that it faces in the region." "While the most grave, the Iranian nuclear program is one of many serious security threats in the region." I support Shapiro statement because Israel like any other country has the right to protect and defend what is divinely there's. Besides, who can fight against our Sovereign Supreme Being, God about Israel and think they will win? Besides, Israel has the right to protect their own country and civililans just like any other country.
and civililans just like any other country." I agree completely. But I do not understand what that has to do with the US defending Israel, which is what the article is all about. I assume you also believe that Palestine has a right to defend itself and Iran and Syria haves a right to defend itself, including Syria's Golan Heights? If you do not, then tell me why Israel has a right to defend itself, but Palestine, Syria and Iran do not..
funny .... each challenge requires more ustaxpayers money
Sounds to me that we ought to send the Pals some armor piercing 50 cals so they can play tag with the IDF on their own terms.
The US is using the wrong approach with Likud. These people are IDEOLOGUES; you don't buy them with hard cash. With such people, only the big stick works. What worked with Shamir, the really hardline Likudnik? The US DENIED Israel loan guarantees meant to help in the absorption of the Russian Aliya. This too was money, so it didn't work much on Shamir, but the Israeli public understood the possible future implications and brought down the Shamir government. Mr. Obama, if you pay, Israelis will take it that hardline is advantageous, even financially. Israel can use some good and clearly understood threats.
Obama has learned that he can not threaten Israel. When you (or a country) have everything to lose when you feel threatened, you will do whatever you feel you need to in order to survive. Stop threatening Israel and mind your own business.
Lets do a boycott then. Therefore any medical devices, pharmaceuticals, computer and mobile phone technologies, agriculture systems that Israel produces will not be exported. Lets hope Israeli researchers find a cure for cancer and your boycott means you boycotters won't have access to it.
If thats the deal to ensure that the Palestinians have a secure state then so be it. No exports from Israel - I think the world can get by without Israeli research but I'm not sure how your unemployment rate will fare.
Pretty much every arab country operates either a religious islamic supremacist regime, or a pan-arab nationalist regime. Both are inheritantly racist. And both define Israel as an enemy. The arabs are the racists, look at the cartoons published daily in their main stream media. Open your eyes fool.
now on food stamps.
They better get off their rear-ends and look for a job, don't you think?
Sad, but true. The product of liberal-socialism from the Lyndon Johnson 'Great Society' days. Just another proof that socialism always sucks.
most people on food stamps do have jobs. it's just that the minimum wage in this country is not enough to support a family, especially one headed by a single parent.
Which is why the USA should mind its own business and stop interfering with foreign countries. Dedicate those resources to fighting police corruption instead. Or just build a few more prisons to house the ever-growing largest prison population on earth
You should get off your ass and fund your own security.
that each time we hear chants of "Death to Israel "Death to America" we take it seriously, especially after 9-11. Americans are more than supportive of Israel so, we put our money where our mouths are, in mutual defense... No one fights better or wins more wars than Israel.No one has more to lose than US and Israel.
i agree. but other countries chant death to america. why r we focusing on the arabs? oh yeah, oil. morality is a joke. friends are transitory. it's all economics.
I can certainly understand why many Arabs chant it. We have given Israel over 100 billions dollars and 21st century arms to suppress the Pals during 43 years of illegal occupation, resulting in Israel killing thousands of civilians, dropping US cluster bombs and firing US phosphorus shells at civlians. Then we say that we will continue to shield Israel both diplomatically and militarily. Without this blind support of Israel brutality, we would not be hated by the Arabs, there would not be chants of "Death to America" and there would not have been a 9/11.
there's just no end to israeli delusions
For starters, Israel hasn't won a war since '67. Second: most the wars, most tellingly the Iraq War of 1990, they don't even fight!! Unheard of...an ally not fighting a fight in its back yard against its greatest enemy! No! Let the Americans do it!!!
Your attempt at equating the two is pathetic and a typical Zionist trick. The interests of the US and Israel are increasingly different.
What is benefit of Israel for the U.S. that deserves such a huge aid? "the only democracy in the middle east"? No way. The first rule of democracy is protecting minority rights. Schools are segregated, Arab Israelis cannot buy land in certain areas and they are treated like animals. The truth is that Israel is more of a liability to United States than an ally. The only reason that they receive all these aids at the expense of American tax payers is that foreign policy of Israeli is taken hostage by Israeli lobbyists.
What other ridiculous conspiracy theories do you have?
Something to do with red heifers perhaps?
And allow first strike capability. How drunk on power can one nation be? Israel the drunkest nation on earth with their US drinking partner. PEACE NEVER?
YES! EXACTLY! missile defense is all about first strike!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Suicide Bombers... Yes rockets are horrible but nothing in relation to the damage that can be caused by suicide bombers. Nothing in relation to the fear it creates in society and how is destroys normal life. The only thing that really works against suicide bombers, is a big ass wall
Would I rather be killed in a drone strike or white phosphorus attack or by a suicide attack? I am not sure white phosphorus would be my preferred option. Nor would I be comforted by the thought that my attacker was seated at some distance in complete safety.
so its easy to get into Israel. Yet there are no suicide bombers. This has another cause (change of policy on the Palestinian side). And anyway: If it were meant as protection the wall should have been built on Israeli land, not Palestinian
if only the wall was built on what is nominally anyway Israeli territory rather than the 16% West Bank land grab that it has become. Anyway, I sure most true zionist's don't really that much about such matters given their brave positions held in cosmopolitan downtown NYC.
Not another cent of my tax dollars should go to support a lawless, apartheid state.
You are ignorant. Israel isn't lawless. Israel isn't apartheid. And most Americans support maintaining current levels of aid to Israel. You're outvoted, so, you can stay as sick as you'd like.
Israel protects the rights of its Christian and Muslim citizens. They give refuge to black African refugees, many of whom (if not most) are Muslim. Clearly the Israelis have no idea on how an aprtheid state is supposed to act. Do you think your Arab friends can give them a few lessons? They seem to have perfected the practice.
And I love it when my tax dollars go to the state which preserves my heritige and identity. I'm a dual citizen of both countries... Looks like you're going against your fellow majority Americans ;)
You sure don't sound like a peacelover. You're angry and just against Israel. That's legitimate.....but please don't say you are For Peace!
Apartheid? That means every Arab country. All controled by a handful of dicatators to keep thier people surpressed. Hundreads of millions of USD tax money goes to those countries.
For Jews there is one law, for Pals another. And I bet you think it's democracy. You are the ignorant one.
What about you give with your personal money to preserve your heritage. Why should I pay for your heritage, dual citizen?
Ronen. The majority of Americans don't have dual citizenship therefore do not have the vested interest you have.
You sure majority of americans are israeli dual citizens? Then I doubt majority of americans support israeli lawlessness and I doubt they would be to happy to know how many billions the last 60 years have gone to support israeli barbarism.
And thats why Isreal still is on the map...Dont forget.. pal's democratic election
When the alternative is the withdrawal of US support. Neither one minute sooner nor one minute later. It has nothing to do with her 'level of confidence.' What's more, the terms will be whatever we insist they're to be. Israel will surrender nothing we don't order her to surrender. In the last analysis, Israel has nothing to contribute to the peace process: her stance is already known.
The days of a free meal ticket are over. The conversations I have had with Americans recently has shown a groundswell of support for Israel, but a determination to hold Israel accountable for the aid the US gives. I think the turnimg point was Patreus report which stated that American support for Israel was making it harder to gain traction in Afghanistan and was ultimately costing the lives of American soldiers. That had an effect on ordinary Americans they have stopped and taken a closer look
The problem: deploying Iron Dome as an anti-Kassam system involves using extremely expensive missiles to shoot down extremely cheap ones. If they choose to rebel again, the Helots could simply bankrupt Israel by repeatedly triggering the system. The solution. Have the US pay for the rockets.
What a paradox: More military donations must be made in order to achieve peace. Utterly laughable. The real shame is that the congress are elected officials by the people, and so it's down to the people to consider what is right and wrong when pertaining to their tax payments going to foreign countries.
inherant in this message is the fact that the US sees the need to bolster israeli security precisely because the arabs are not intent on peace with israel. Seems to me that the US wants isreal to make "peace" and then have the proper weapons to defend that "peace". what a farce...asking for peace negotiations to proceed when you know in advance that one side are not committed to real peace. Go figure...
once Israel has a rocket deterrent, it no longer has an excuse for avoiding peace, grabbing more land (for security purposes) shifting borders (again for security purposes, and air strikes on Gaza (once again for security purposes). The US is taking away Israel's excuses.
That is good as Palestinians are incapable of making the compromises to make a peace deal happen. Israel must survive, and Israel must exist.
Just read the likud charter and read the comments of all of Israel,s former leaders--terrorists in their own right. The Likud Charter specifically rejects a Palestinain state. Here are a few of Israel,s leaders statements re the Greater Israel. "In 1938, Ben-Gurion made it clear of his support for the "Jewish state" on part of Palestine was only as a stepping ground for a complete conquest. He wrote: "[I am] satisfied with part of the country, but on the basis of the assumption that after we build up a strong force following the establishment of the state--we will abolish the partition of the country and we will expand to the whole Land of Israel." (Expulsion Of The Palestinians, p. 107 & One Palestine Complete, p. 403) * One day after the UN vote to partition Palestine, Menachem Begin, the commander of the Irgun gang and Israel's future Prime Minister between 1977-1983, proclaimed: "The Partition of Palestine is illegal. It will never be recognized .... Jerusalem was and will for ever be our capital. Eretz Israel will be restored to the people of Israel. All of it. And for Ever." (Iron Wall p. 25) * ""Shamir has said Israel must keep the territories in order to accommodate the immigrants. "A great aliyah [immigration]," he said, "requires a Greater Israel."(5) He has insisted that, although Soviet Jews are not being directed to the territories, any Jew has the right to live anywhere in the land of Israel, which for most Israelis includes the territories. As Foreign Minister David Levy said in August: "The right to settle every part of Israel is unequivocally clear even if there are disagreements over this matter. Israel`s stance on this issue is known."(6) Israeli and many American Jewish leaders see the matter as going to the very core of the Jewish state`s mission, which is to "redeem" the land of historic Israel on behalf of the Jewish people. Could not be more clear.
You forgot to mention another important document that describe what is Israel. Is call the Bible.mc
True, labhras, Likkud does not want to compromise. However, neither do the Palestinians. In order for peace to be achieved, there need to be concessions, lessening of demands and giving up of dreams on both sides. If only one side keeps offering concessions while the other side digs in its heels and insists on an all-or-nothing fulfillment of all their demands, no compromise is possible.
Exactly right. The land is all Israel's and the right of return applies only to Jews. Even though you obviously don't like it, you do understand!
There seems to be a misconception in Washington DC. They think that if they throw enough money at Israel, then Israel will become happy and do their bidding. In reality, if they throw more money at Israel, Israel will see this as a source of income to be exploited. They will dig in their heels to avoid changing the circumstances which led Washington to throw more money at them. In any case, whenever they announce a brilliant idea to flood Israel with more money, more weapons, more support, etc, it would be better if they did not have a Jew making the announcement. I think that if America is pouring their life blood into Israel, there should be at least one middle man that is not Jewish.
I hear you, sister ! Israel is our littlle spoiled brat ! We need a president with the courage to say, NO little Bibi, you won't get anything for Christmas until you cleanup your room (stop building settlements) and abandon the practice of bullying everyone at school !
Americans don't care who announces aid to Israel, just like they don't care that catholics and jews are overrepresented on the supreme court or that a black man is president or that a jew almost was VP in 2000, or that their speaker is a woman. They only care about those things in Europe. If Mr Shapiro worked hard to get to his current position,, then his religion is irrelevant and you should be embarrassed for your post.
This is not going to make the news in the US. When I walk my dogs, I will stop by my representative office right around the corner and ask him his opinion. Since he is for reelection, I am sure he will have a good explanation for the use of another 3 billions we do not have..
unfortunately, after Obama's bungling he's made things far worse than even Bush.
The real reason to 'throw money' at Israel is to comply with the directive from YHWH given in Genesis 12: "And I will bless those that bless thee, and curse him that curseth thee: and in thee shall all the families of the earth be blessed." Sounds pretty simple to me. Do you understand it, Natalie?
If there is more aid, it should be paid for by a specific tax and our military families should be exempt. How many billion are you willing to pay in specially designated taxes over and above your current tax load? How about a special tax for the Iraq war and the Afghan war? We cannot do everything on borrowing of entirely on the backs of the poor and unemployed.
You have been announcing for a long time a major shift in American foreign policy towards Israel. Obama was your best chance, but it seems that nothing really huge has changed. More of the same. Whether you like it or not Israel is still an important asset in American foreign policy. Now more than ever, when Iran is accross the corner.
Not this one. They aint making jews like jesus. Certainly not the jews which inhabit israel at the moment.
if it were to offer the Palestinians a functional defence system to keep Israeli missiles, and shells from killing Palestinians. It would bring Israel to the table with a lot more willingness to make an offer that is fair to BOTH parties. And it would save a lot more innocent lives, and offer a lot more people a chance to not have to worry about death falling on them from the sky.
If the palestinians & the arab neighbours wer not terrorists, then there would not be killings of terrorists, that you say are 'civilians' or as you have stated..."innocent lives". So, just keep your trap shut.
of course Israelis don't have to worry about death falling on them from the sky or blowing them up on a bus, right?!?!?! Israeli shells into Gaza are a RESPONSE not a provocation.
Dear Col. Cohen: I am fed up with using my precious tax money to fund your rightist, bigoted government. I realize that for you the word terrorist comes all to easy - Arabs and Palestinians. I suppose that you would find murderous right wing settlers merely "Activists." Don't take it personally, but if I had my way - I'd cut off every penny now!
are the Pal civilians. Occupied, land confiscated, colonized, regular terrorism and humiliation by settlers, Kahanists, IDF, border guards, and killed at a rate well over 10:1 compared to Israeli civilians. So I very much agree with you, that if the US decides to fund a missile defense system, it should be for Palestine, not for Israel. But since we are already spending over our heads, I hope we do not fund either.
Only when Arab enemies of Israel are forced to surrender unconditionally, will peace come to the region, as only when the Axis powers during WWII surrendered did peace follow.
Illegasl settlers such as you chaim. Efrat is in occupied Palestine and you are living on stolen land--not an alledged thief---a guilty thief. You do not have a single grain of right to be where you are. Go back to new york.
ahh yes, a brilliant argument...clearly all jews are from new york and were never living in living in israel for any period of time in history
Look what happened with Jordan and Egypt. They have not only had no issues since thier piece agreement...but all three have florished.
because of historical ties to the land, then where do we draw the line? give the U.S. back to the hundreds of indigenous tribes? break up Russia? China? give South America and Australia back to the indigenous? i think i heard the Caanites want Israel back also. so do the Babylonians. i say this to make people understand that nation building and identity construction are political process that have a place in history. it's fine that Jews are in power now and have the land, let's just call it for what it is and not mention 2,000+ year old history. that is too far in the past.
I am referring to Efrat--it is not in Israel===it is in occupied territory. Try to get your geography straight. As to ben kahan--he is an illegal settler because he is an Israeli citizen--not becuase he is a jew. Check GC 4 art 49. Clue--transfer of occupiers citizens to area occupied????. Hows that for an argument. I guess our tete a tete is finished--???.
no YET.
It's not worth stopping 90%?
Indeed they are if they think the same thoughts! For there is a SUPER DIVINE technology beyond any one's imagination that can stop missles with the intent to destroy ISRAEL.
The Obama administration seems to be living in the same fantasy land that the Clinton administration was living in when they tried to fashion a peace deal between Israel and the Palestinians. The Americans don't seem to understand that at the end, it isn't about what percentage of land Israel will give up, or even about security. As Clinton found out, the reason there will never be peace between the Israelis and the Palestinians is because the Palestinians are incapable of making the compromises to make a peace deal happen. You can give Israel all the arms in the world, but when the bottom line is all or nothing, it doesn't matter. Israel was willing to give up over ninety percent of the land and share Jerusalem, but the Palestinians want it all. If the Obama administration doesn't believe this, all they have to do is ask Clinton.
please elaborate on your position... while keep in 1. Internnational Law (it matters to everyone other Israelis and Israel does no wrong individuals) 2. Geneva Conventions 3. UN resolutions 4. Rights of Gentile Humans (yes, it does matter to other) 5. don't bring Quran or Torah or Divine Internention in your opinion.
Israel has blocked peace since its inception. Peace and land expantion cannot co-exist. As for all or nothing the Palestinians have gotten nothing and Israel wants all.
it was 90% of the west bank but with a peace deal in place, where was arafat going to make his millions from?
Actually, it was more than 90%. All you have to do is read Bill Clinton's autobiography MY LIFE and his account of the Camp David negotiations headed by Clinton, Arafat and Ehud Barak. Clinton places all the blame on Arafat's inability to compromise. He said if he did, he would be having tea with Rabin in heaven.
since when did the weaker of two groups dictate the terms of interaction? your a dumb republican. 90 percent you say? and every water source is part of that israeli 10 percent, not to mention the aquifer underneath and the airspace, electrmagnetic airspace, etc. shove off.
Likely for Israel, Pals never miss and opportunity to miss and opportunity. Otherwise, we would not be able now to walk in large part of Israeli capital
"there will never be peace between the Israelis and the Palestinians is because" Israel is in blatant and belligerent occupation of Palestine and until Israel completes ALL aspects of UN242 the Arabs will not give their recognition to Israels illegal borders.
while normal Americans are losing their homes, jobs and lives at a record rate! Good going Obama - way to go in showing how you care about Americans!
for arms , so they need israel teckno info.get it ..??
It actually causes job growth as the money must be spent in the US. its a better way of creating jobs than mailing checks to Americans that get put into the bank right away.
take a look at how much you guys spend elsewhere $2.775B might seem like a lot but its still just a drop in the bucket for your federal budget
yeah, americans put money in the bank, i bet. what's better, spend the money on a house, road, or tangible object or blow up another tangible object? your republican logic stinks.
i just love the way israelis and their supporters spin US charity to israel such that Israel is doing the US a favor. What's in the water over there???
Moe, that's just a bare-faced lie.
It's part of the agreements that any money given to Israel must be used to buy materials from the US and are paid off with interest. This allows the US to go above their military spending to produce materials, provide jobs, stimulate the US economy and adds to R+D for systems Israel tests out.
Only through mutual deterence, will both sides be able to negotiate a fair settlement. If Israel has no incentive to make peace, then there will be no agreement. This is why the US and Soviet Union were able to have a number of agreements that helped preserve peace.
Mutual deterrence is the only way? Ever hear of WWII?
Shapiro said that "bolstering Israel’s security against the rocket threat will not by itself facilitate a two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict." enough is enough!
We'll light it off, and see what you think.
try living under the constant threat of highly inaccurate rockets that are just as likely to hit a school as an open field. inaccuracy doesn't make them any less deadly. they're anything BUT mickey mouse fireworks!
the administration's intention to enhance the annual security aid it provides Israel, saying that in"2010, the administration requested $2.775 billion in security assistance funding specifically for Israel, the largest such request in U.S. history."
If the palestinians live like normal people and change their mentality of killing people because they want to or their imam had told them to do so after Fridays prayers or in the schools and during their daily lives, then why require the same protection because Israel does not cross the borders to terrorize the palestinians.
if they stop launching rockets, there won't be a need for any protection...
These lizards should stop taking funding that sponsors terrorists. Obama just gifted abbas $ 400 mill. what did it get him? $400 mill worth of nothing.
How many Israelis have been killed by Pals this year? I believe the answer is zero, or close to zero How many Pals have been killed by Israeli's this year? Numerous! Hardly a day goes by when there is not at least one Pal killed by an Israeli, either by the IDF or Settler out having fun or a Kahanist. And that is not even counting those killed because of malnutrion or lack of medical treatment due to the illegal Blockade. Col Cohen - It is Israel that needs to change their mentality of killing people? And they need realize that Pals are not animals, they are people.
Few Israeli civilians were kiled by Palestinian terrorists this year. Many Palestinians TERRORISTS were killed by Israeli responding to these attacks. So don't play dumb if you don't want us to think you are one.
If the Palestinians do not engage in terror they are and will be perfectly safe from Israel.
Are you kidding Col Cohen ..... how would you describe the persistent border incursions by commando's, assassinations by drones, bombing runs by F16's ....if not 'crossing the borders"? Do you call this "cultural exchanges"? I'd recommend a test for Alzheimers buddy.
and return their civilians to Israel instead of expanding illegal settlements.
Yes, they will stop launching rockets if you go back to behind the green line (before the 67 war). and make sure you take all of your religious lunatics with you.
but let's wait until he matches what he gives the Palestinians with what he has given the zionists.