Posted on 02/08/2006 8:30:48 AM PST by SJackson
$150 million in aid for the Palestinian Authority will be subject to review, and the US will continue funding ongoing projects.
In its 2007 budget proposal submitted to Congress, the Bush administration is asking for $2.46 billion in aid for Israel: $2.34 billion in military aid, and $120 million in civilian aid. The amount of aid is calculated under a formula devised by former Minister of Finance Yaakov Neeman and then-Israel’s Economic Minister to Washington Ohad Marani. The Clinton administration and Congress approved the formula. Under the formula, US military aid is increased by $60 million a year, up to a ceiling of $2.4 billion, and civilian aid is cut by $120 million a year, until it is finally eliminated. 2007 will be the last year in which Israel will receive US civilian aid.
The US fiscal year begins on October 1, and Israel receives the full amount of annual aid a few weeks later, assuming there are no legislative delays, which occur almost every year. Israel is the only recipient of US aid that receives it in a single tranche.
The 2007 US budget request includes $150 million in aid for the Palestinians, the same amount as in the 2006 budget. US spokespersons quickly emphasized that aid to the Palestinian Authority (PA) would be subject to review, depending on developments in the PA.
State Department spokesman Sean McCormack said US financing of ongoing PA projects would continue, but each project would be examined on its own merits. The budget proposal states that aid for the Palestinians is intended to promote democracy, the rule of law, and economic recovery.
The 2007 US budget proposal also includes $1.3 billion in military aid and $455 million in civilian aid for Egypt. US civilian aid to Egypt is cut by $40 million a year. Jordan will receive $245 million in civilian aid and $206 million in military aid, the same as in previous years.
Published by Globes [online], Israel business news - www.globes.co.il - on February 8, 2006
Articles on Israel can also be found by clicking on the Topic or Keyword Israel.
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that's a lot of loot...
I like Israel but no country in the world deserves 1 dime of US tax payer money.
I agree 100% with you. American aid usually does more harm than good to local economies and in this case makes Israel too dependent on the USA. Bad deal for all parties involved.
The Israelis really need to reform their welfare state. We shouldn't be propping up a state that doles out so many more benefits to their citizens than we give to ours. First of all they can drop all of the Jerusalem residents off the gravy train, people that aren't even Israeli citizens.
I don't necessarily agree with giving that much money to anyone, much less an ally, but damn I can't wait to see the frothing from the mouth that is BOUND to come from the likes of Pat Buchanan :)
The rarely mentioned aspect of aid to Israel is that it’s a function of our commitment to maintain Israeli military superiority, dating to the cold war to some extent, and to the withdrawal from the Sinai specifically. Unlike Eisenhower’s promise to safeguard Israel’s access to maritime trade made the first time they gave the Sinai back, I think this commitment should be kept. However it could be kept in a number of ways. We sell Israel’s enemies approximately four times the arms we sell Israel, the same platforms, some of it paid for by the countries involved, some paid for by aid. Clearly if we didn’t provide the Saudis, Egypt, Jordan et al, the necessity of providing Israel aid to purchase arms would largely disappear. Of course that would mean $8 billion or so in reduced armament sales, so it’s not likely to happen.
See post 7. You might note from the article that $2.4 billion goes to Egypt, Jordan, and the palestinians, excluding UNWRA support.
You don't have a welfare state on $120 million.
Read.
Civilian aid to Israel is near an end.
Military aid, a pittance compared to the cost of stationing US forces protecting Korea, Europe, etc, is wholly spent in the United States.
Israel benefits but so do companies and workers in the US.
And it's all for a common cause: fighting radical Islam
Israel AND Egypt have been receiving between $2-3 billion a year since Camp David in '79. Heck, a lot of those years Egypt has been the recipient of the most aid the United States has given to one country.
$150 million in aid for the Palestinian Authority will be subject to review, and the US will continue funding ongoing projects.
My guess, US aid to the palestinians will go on as usual through USAID. All humanitarian, of course. Last year they picked up about $250 million in a supplemental appropriation, won't be surprised if they do this year too. After Hamas "recognizes" Israel in a press release.
I know folks won't agree with the amount of money being given to an American friend and ally. However, I look at it from this standpoint:
Either get out there and defend Israel 24/7 or give her the ability to do it herself. Since they are on the frontlines of the WOT, I say send them the money and our appreciation for not having to live next to the Palis.
By the way, we could afford to give Israel this money if we didn't spend one dime on those other ungrateful neighbors in the Middle East. Just exactly what is our money being used for is what I'd like to know. I think we all know what it is being used for.
God Bless Israel and Keep Her Strong, Well Armed, and Capable!
Did you forget a decade in Saudi Arabia and Kuwait?
Or just the cost of the Gulf War defending them.
Or the current war in Iraq.
But people are brainwashed about aid to Israel. Even well meaning people.
I don't think Jordan is a threat to Israel, but the Saudis and the Egyptians are definitely still in teh picture....
Like I said though, I can't wait to see the whining from Buchanan. It will be classic.
"The 2007 US budget proposal also includes $1.3 billion in military aid and $455 million in civilian aid for Egypt. US civilian aid to Egypt is cut by $40 million a year. Jordan will receive $245 million in civilian aid and $206 million in military aid, the same as in previous years."
So 12 more years of "civillian aid" to egypt? What for?
Jordan will be a threat to Israel when the Hashemites fall to the Islamics.
Hamas won't make a serious move against Israel until Jordan is under similar control.
Seven to ten years at most.
I think you are seriously underestimating Abdullah and his grip there in Jordan.....
Then you should'n't have pushed Camp David down their throat.
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