Aid to Israel Pays US Dividends That Exceed Cost, Making the Jewish State the $3 Billion Bargain

The Jewish Voice and Opinion [PDF] ^ | April, 2010 | By Rep. Steve Rothman

[Salem]

The recent argument made on a handful of websites, blogs, columns, and in college lecture halls that US military aid to Israel is damaging to the United States is not only erroneous, it hurts the vital national security interests of our country and threatens the survival of the Jewish State. In fact US support for Israel is essential not only for the Jewish State’s national security but for America’s as well. Every bit of that support—and more—withstands all reasonable scrutiny.

Under the 2010 US budget about $75 billion, $65 billion, and $3.25 billion will be spent on military operations and aid in Afghanistan, Iraq, and Pakistan, respectively, during this fiscal year. Israel, on the other hand, is due to receive $3 billion in military aid only. The US gives no further economic aid to Israel other than loan guarantees that continue to be repaid, in full and on time.

While the relative merits of US expenditures in countries other than Israel may be open to discussion, there is no question about the critically important return to the US for its aid to our oldest and most trusted ally in the strategically important Middle East—the pro-US, pro-West, and democratic Jewish State of Israel, which is also the most powerful military force in that region.

Not Unilateral

Our aid to Israel is by no means a unilateral affair. The US gives aid and receives a great deal back in return:

First, about 70 percent of Israel’s $3 billion in aid must be used by the Jewish state in the US to purchase American military equipment.

This provides real support for US high-tech defense jobs, and contributes to the maintenance of our industrial base. It also prompts the US to remain in top form in the manufacturing of our own cutting-edge military munitions, aircraft, vehicles, missiles and virtually every defensive and offensive weapon in the US arsenal—with the added contribution of Israel’s renowned technical know-how.

Research Cooperation

Second, the US and Israel are jointly developing state-of-the-art missile defense capabilities in the “David’s Sling” and Arrow 3 systems. These two technologies build on the already successful Arrow 2, jointly developed by our two countries and already providing missile defense security to Israel as well as US civilians and ground troops throughout the region.

The knowledge gained by the US from these efforts has a positive “multiplier effect” on applications to other American military and non-military uses and jobs.

Third, given Israel’s strategic location on the Mediterranean, with access to the Red Sea and other international shipping and military lanes of commerce and traffic, it is critically important to the US that that the Jewish state continue to serve as a port of call for our troops, ships, aircraft, and intelligence operations.

For decades, Israel has permitted the US to stockpile arms, fuel, munitions, and other supplies on its soil, to be accessed whenever America needs them in the region.

Pre-Emptive Info

Fourth, America’s special relationship with Israel provides the US with real-time, minute-to-minute access to one of the best intelligence services in the world: Israel’s. Because Israeli agents gather intelligence and take necessary action throughout the Middle East and, literally, around the world, especially regarding al-Qaeda, Hezbollah, Hamas, and Iran, among others, the US receives invaluable information about anti-American terrorist organizations and regimes.

Fifth, over the years, Israeli actions have saved countless American lives and taxpayer dollars. Imagine the additional, terrible cost in US blood and the hundreds of billions more of taxpayer dollars if Saddam Hussein had developed nuclear weapons, or if Syria possessed them.

It was Israel that successfully destroyed Saddam’s nearly completed nuclear reactor at Osirak, Iraq, in 1981, and Syria’s nuclear facility under construction at Deir ez-Zor in 2007.

Foiling Iran

Over the years, Israel’s Defense Forces and intelligence agents have undertaken many operations to foil, retard, and disrupt Iran’s efforts to create a nuclear-weapons capability.

A nuclear-armed Iran would threaten the lives of hundreds of thousands of Americans in the region, all of Iran’s Arab neighbors, the world’s largest oil supplies, and those who rely on that oil. It also would provide anti-US terrorists with access to the most lethal Iranian technology and probably set off a nuclear arms race in the region.

With Israel’s truly invaluable assistance to America’s vital national security, we can take comfort that—in actions seen in Teheran and Damascus and noticed by al-Qaeda and other anti-US terrorists everywhere—the US is safer and made more secure because of the mutually dependent and mutually beneficial relationship between the US and Israel.

For about two percent of what the US spends in Afghanistan, Iraq, and Pakistan this year, Americans can take pride in the return on our investment in aid to Israel.

[Salem]

Although posted at other places on the Internet, I first read this in the The Jewish Voice and Opinion (and noticed a link to it on another thread). I first met the editor here at FR, and encourage anybody else not receiving this Conservative Jewish publication to subscribe to the printed copy. It is very productive.

Although some issue a blanket condemnation of any aid to Israel, this is shortsighted. Aid to Islamist entities is a waste. Investment in the most productive country in the Middle East, Israel, has many benefits, much which is intangible.

One's memory hales back to George Wills iconic article, The F-16 Solution

[Salem]

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[Salem]

Some thoughts on foreign aid.

[rogertarp]

I personally disagree. I find no need to take my money and give it to Greece or Israel or anybody else.I do not sunscribe tp “God’s Chosen people” arguments since the “New Israel” in the book of Acts is the Gentiles!!

[Hardraade]

Christian Identity type, are you??

[rogertarp]

My Christianity.

[padre35]

Well, I’m not 100% on the aid to Israel being a great thing for either side Salem, meaning Israel has basically abandoned their indigineous arms manufacturing capacity due to the reliance on the US as a sole source of supply for small armaments and armoured vehicles.

As well as the Biblical injunction that Israel should rely on God and not foreign alliances for security.

For the US, we lose any pretence of being an honest broker for even minor issues and we make the county a lightning rod for the Islamofascists.

[JSteff]

rogertarp
Since Feb 22, 2010

[UnbelievingScumOnTheOtherSide]

I agree. However, we could have bombed Iraq’s reactor and bomb Iran ourselves if we had any guts. We don’t need Israel in order to have reason to destroy Nazislam.

[PA Engineer]

I do not sunscribe tp “God’s Chosen people” arguments since the “New Israel” in the book of Acts is the Gentiles!!

Oh, how cute. A replacement theology newbie.

[Salem]

"Well, I’m not 100% on the aid to Israel being a great thing for either side Salem, meaning Israel has basically abandoned their indigenous arms manufacturing capacity due to the reliance on the US as a sole source of supply for small armaments and armored vehicles."

Although I am not well versed on current trends in Israeli arms manufacturing as opposed to purchasing, I really don't believe that's true. Israel has developed some pretty effective weapons systems over the years. I'm sure another FReeper well versed in that can take the initiative to clarify that.

"As well as the Biblical injunction that Israel should rely on God and not foreign alliances for security."

A noble and honorable thought. As should the U.S. Yet Israeli culture is by and large secular in makeup. Which reflects in the way the interact with the rest of the world.

"For the US, we lose any pretence of being an honest broker for even minor issues and we make the country a lightning rod for the Islamofascists."

FRiend, we're a lightning for the Islamofascists if we completely break off all, political, military, economic, and cultural ties with Israel. In fact, that would only spur on their quest for the reestablishment of the Caliphate and Sharia law..

[Salem]

LOL!!  

[Salem]

"...In my opinion, forcing Israel to do things that are not in Israel’s interest, almost always comes back to bite us in the ass."

Yes, which makes it important for Israel to have strong national leadership with the worldview to understand their value to the US, foreign aid or not, and the skills to make sure the relationship isn't only one way. As a friend of Israel, I am much more confident in Netanyahu than his predecessor Olmert in that regard.

[nuvista]

Thanks for the post. One other aspect of the US support for Israel is the incredible technological incubator service Israel provides to the US and the world. Nearly every major US-based computer technology company has bought up one or more Israeli hi-tech startups. Many of the major chip, software, and cellphone developments, as well as biomedical technology, are happening in Israel. In spite of the somewhat precarious security situation there, US and European companies have felt that the developments there sufficiently worthwhile to gobble up Israeli startups. Read Dan Senor’s “Start Up Nation”. It’s a story not often told in the left-wing media and halls of academia.

[SJackson]

Middle East and terrorism, occasional political and Jewish issues Ping List. High Volume

If you’d like to be on or off, please FR mail me.

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[caww]

Assisting Israel is of great interest to our national security as well as politically in the Middle East Arena. Our footprint in the M E is what is keeping those nations from blowing each other up which would surely affect our country as well as Europe.

As For Replacement Theology, that is old time thinking and has since been pretty much tabled except for those who choose to spiritualize the clear text. “Gentiles” are “grafted” in but have never replaced the Jewish people....further...Gods promise to Israel is eternal and was not conditional.

[Jewbacca]

Welcome to FreeRepublic.

We’re conservatives here, not bigots, so you might not like it.

[Jewbacca]

ROFLMAO.