Israel Aid Pays U.S. Dividends That Exceed Cost

http://www.businessweek.com/news/2010-04-06/israel-aid-pays-u-s-dividends-that-exceed-cost-steve-rothman.html ^ | Steve Rothman

[ventanax5]

The argument that American military aid to Israel is damaging to the U.S. is not only erroneous, it hurts the national security interests of this country and threatens the survival of Israel.

U.S. support for Israel is essential, not only for Israel’s national security, but for America’s. Every bit of that support -- and more -- withstands all reasonable scrutiny.

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

There isn’t enough space here to discuss the relative merits of the expenditures in these other countries, but we already know the critically important return the U.S. gets for helping its oldest, most trusted ally in the strategically important Middle East -- the most powerful military force in that region, the pro-U.S., pro-West and democratic Jewish state of Israel.

[TheThirdRuffian]

Placemarker.

[Ready4Freddy]

Ping for the list.

[kabar]

We have provided $106 billion in USG assistance to Israel since 1949.

China Scolds U.S. for Blocking Israeli Arms Sale

[EternalVigilance]

Those who think we should abandon Israel couldn’t be more wrong.

This is one of those incredibly rare instances when I find myself in complete agreement with a Democrat...and a Democrat Congressman at that.

He makes an ironclad case in this piece.

[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.

..................

[skeptoid]

SNIP . . .Steve Rothman is a Democratic congressman from New Jersey who serves on the House committees responsible for U.S. military and foreign aid. The opinions expressed are his own.

Is this the last of the nearly-extict "Rational Democrat"?!?!

[Alberta's Child]

Anyone who thinks Israel is truly an "ally" of the United States should talk to someone who has worked in U.S. intelligence and is willing to speak frankly about their work.

I've had retired intelligence officers tell me that Israel was no more trustworthy than the Soviet Union when it came to protecting U.S. military secrets from foreign espionage.

[patriot preacher]

I’ve had retired intelligence officers tell me that Israel was no more trustworthy than the Soviet Union when it came to protecting U.S. military secrets from foreign espionage.
_________________

And I know several who’ve retired from military intelligence and law enforcement who’ve told me that NO nation gives more reliable information and intelligence than Mossad and the IDF.

We cut our ties to Israel and sneer at their important role in the Middle East and national security at our own peril — in far more ways than one.