Intifada Cost Israel NIS 16.5b In 30 Months

Globes via Bridges for Peace ^ | June 4, 2003 | Zeev Klein

[Tamar1973]

The intifada and expanded operations by the IDF and security forces in the West Bank and Gaza Strip caused a substantial increase in direct and indirect defense spending to an estimated NIS 3 billion this year. A planned NIS 2 billion cut in the defense budget was also cancelled. These costs come on top of the NIS 7 billion in defense spending in 2000-01.

The IDF spent about NIS 1.5 billion on Operation Defensive Shield in April 2002, in the aftermath of the Passover bombing of the Park Hotel in Netanya. Another NIS 500 million was spent on protective measures and defense of communities along the seam line. Civilian costs from terrorist attacks and incidents are estimated at NIS 4 billion, including large reinforcements for the Israel Police, and payments to victims of the terrorist attacks and hospitalization costs.

Officials in Jerusalem estimate that were it not for the intifada, the steep cuts in National Insurance Institute payments could have been avoided, and the ut civilian public consumption (education and health services and local authorities) could have been smaller, or such spending could even have been increased by 2.5% a year.

The intifada has caused Israel’s worse and longest recession in its history. Previous recession lasted only two years: 1952-53; 1966-67, and 1988-89. There are now initial signs of GDP growth, but not yet of a recovery.

PRAYER FOCUS: Continue to pray for a miracle of provision for the needy of Israel. The precarious economy is placing them in increasingly difficult situations. Many are without work. The numbers of people seeking food assistance from the Bridges for Peace Food Bank grow larger each month.

SCRIPTURE: "Defend the cause of the weak and the fatherless; maintain the rights of the poor and oppressed. Rescue the weak and needy; deliver them from the hand of the wicked" (Psalm 82:3-4).

[Tamar1973]

Now that the US is pretty much in recovery, we must put our money where our mouth is and help the Israeli economy by purchasing Israeli goods.

http://www.tznius.com/ *this is a website w/ women's clothes.

http://www.israelmilitary.com/imp/homepage.php *plenty of stuff w/ IDF and other logos on them

http://www.israel-shop.com/ *this is a link to many other shops w/ judaica, clothes, and other Israeli goods

These are just a drop in the ocean. I know some of you know of more. List them here and let's go shopping in Israel.