Should Israel really be asking for an increase in US aid?

Unless developments in Gaza overshadow the planned agenda for Tuesday's summit, Prime Minister Ehud Olmert and US President George W. Bush are set to discuss, inter alia, Israel's request to increase American financial aid.

A few months ago, Israel submitted a request to raise the annual sum by 25 percent over 10 years, from $2.4 billion to $3b. If implemented, this would reverse the course initiated by prime minister Binyamin Netanyahu 10 years ago, which gradually reduced annual assistance by 20%, from $3b to $2.4b. Doing so would be a mistake.

The underlying rationale for the Israeli request is to take advantage of the final two years of the firmly pro-Israel Bush administration.

Israel's reasons for requesting increased aid are fairly obvious: financial need in the face of multiplying security threats, and reinforcing a powerful public symbol of American support.

On the other hand, there are four reasons to continue reducing the aid, and eventually eliminating it.

---EOE---

http://www.jpost.com/servlet/Satellite?cid=1181813057221&pagename=JPost%2FJPArticle%2FShowFull

3billion is a lot of money.
Why not use that money to improve the life of US citizens instead??

:shrug:

Should we be sending ANY money to fight AIDS in Africa while 1200 people are still on waiting lists in the US for medications they need to survive?

I understand the need for some foreign aid, but it seems to me that first and foremost, our tax dollars should go to taking care of people with the same problems in our country.

what is wrong with this picture, we should take care of our own people first, and then prioritize, I think the money should go
to the Iraqi refugees we created, Darfur and then as needed.

Makes me want to puke. Charity begins at home.

most of our policies are short term and motivated by powerful lobbies like AIPAC, we really have to start looking at long term
and the effect of the whole picture. Something like 53% of our budget now goes to the military. We really have to rethink
this, (this includes past debt for military toys factored in).

Isn't it obvious? :shrug:

nor should we give in.

...why do they need our aid?

There is no help for Americans in distress.

You are not George W GOPer's chosen people Joe and Jane Sixpack.

The USA will never dig out of this financial disaster bushco has solely created. What a fiscal nightmare for the administration that follows the bush voodoo economics part 2. NO. Israel should NOT be given further monetary aid.

PB

Behind-the-scenes video of Ray McGovern speaking at KC, Kansas Community College in the student Intercultural Center. This brief video includes fascinating comments about Middle East historic politics and McGovern's response to the political label of "anti-semite" caused by his mention of Isreal at the DSM hearing, and Howard Dean's related response (videotaped with permission of the local organizer).
(may take a few minutes to download)
http://www.digitalstyledesigns.com/videos/mcgovern5.mov

It's, without a doubt, an attempt to take advantage with the Bush administration still in charge.

The USA has plenty of money for issues here and in Israel and in Africa
but it's the states and GOP that seems to want to shaft healthcare for US Citizens.

http://www.jewishvirtuallibrary.org/jsource/US-Israel/U.S._Assistance_to_Israel1.html">U.S. Assistance to Israel (FY1949 - FY2006)

As of December 31, 2001, Israel owed the United States government $1.977 billion
in direct economic and military loans.

http://www.jewishvirtuallibrary.org/jsource/US-Israel/foreign_aid.html

'Should Israel really be asking for an increase in US aid?'
:puke: :puke: :puke: