The Case for Israel Alan Dershowitz defends Israel and its basic right to exist, to protect its citizens from terrorism, and to protect its borders from hostile enemies. Follow the link to read more: http://www.msnbc.com/news/960843.asp?0bl=-0
I don't particularly agree with Dershowitz saying "Throughout the world, from the chambers of the United Nations to the campuses of universities, Israel is singled out for condemnation, divestment, boycott, and demonization." U.S Financial Aid To Israel: Figures, Facts, and Impact Summary Benefits to Israel of U.S. Aid Since 1949 (As of November 1, 1997) Foreign Aid Grants and Loans $74,157,600,000 Other U.S. Aid (12.2% of Foreign Aid) $9,047,227,200 Interest to Israel from Advanced Payments $1,650,000,000 Grand Total $84,854,827,200 Total Benefits per Israeli $14,630 Cost to U.S. Taxpayers of U.S. Aid to Israel Grand Total $84,854,827,200 Interest Costs Borne by U.S. $49,936,680,000 Total Cost to U.S. Taxpayers $134,791,507,200 Total Cost per Israeli $23,240 http://www.wrmea.com/html/us_aid_to_israel.htm
The US spends over 2 TRILLION dollars a year and you are whining about 137 billion over a 54 year period? By the way, nice impartial link.. wrmea.com... lol
Maynard, Don't worry about Franchise2001. He LOVES to give handouts and often sympathizes with all and wants to pay them, but doesn't understand where the money comes from and he thinks the US is the unlimited piggy bank of the world. He also feels that Israel should recieve handouts because their economy is weak and that because tourism is down. Of course that is the whole world, but hey we're the USA, take whatever you want !! He then questions the source unless its from a Zionist about Israel. Ultimately though, he feels that US interest is secondary to that of Israeli interests because he even continues to support the nation of Israel with all of the financial losses it costs us along with the loss of income to the US because of its association with Israel. But economics doesn't matter, feelings do.
FD Khan, You need to pick up a history book. Israel needs aid(not handouts) because it has been at constant war since its inception. Name one other democracy that has had this problem? Its unfortunate for you that congress, the president, and the majority of americans agree with me. Maybe I'm a little biased because I'm jewish. One-third of jews live in Israel and maybe I care for their safety. I also want the Palestinians to prosper, but Hamas and other terrorist organizations bring them down. F.D., if Israel was not under constant threat of being attacked(suicide bombings are considered warfare) then they wouldn't need the aid. I have posted before other industries that Israel has(technology..etc). Btw, if I was a die-hard zionist, I would move to Israel. I do, however, believe that the Jewish people need a place to go to escape anti-semitism. To deny that anti-semitism is on the rise in Europe and other parts of the world is idiotic. Now Maynard, Unlike F.D. Khan, I am willing to look at both sides of the argument. I don't put Israeli interests first over american interests. I only say a lot of things on the D&D forum in response to one-sided posts from the likes of Khan and glynch. Once again, I know that a strong argument comes from looking at both sides. Placing total blame on Israel or total blame on the Palestinians is ignorant. I believe that it could take one or more wars for there to ever be peace. Israel v. Hamas/Islamic Jihad and also a civil war between moderate and extremist Palestinians. I am not for settlements and they should be dismantled immediately. Those are extremist Jews and they are a big part of the problem. Now are they going in and attacking Palestinians? The answer is no. I also believe that the aid to Israel and other foreign countries is hurting the US economy theory is bogus. Aid to Israel isn't keeping Joe Schmo from getting a job. As I have stated before, 75% of military aid to Israel must be spent in the US.
What I am trying to explain to you is that WHY MUST WE FOOT the bill if they have been at war?? Your mindset that the US HAS to help them because of this and that which I don't care about is just appalling. And i'm sure the billions of dollars could be used here for educational programs. They have to SPEND money we GIVE them here??? How difficult!
Hey I agree with you, Israel has a right to defend itself, it has a right to exist..the METHODS Israel uses to defend herself are questionable at times.. I never said our aid was hurting our economy, I was just trying to point out that Dershowitz putting on the "oh everyone in the world is against us" act was BS... To the Palestinians, Israel's continued development of settlments IS the same as "going in and attacking Palestinians" .. but alas, I am not Jewish, nor Palestinian, so how could I be in a position to judge either side...
The US doesnt HAVE to do anything. Ofcourse, Israel didn't have to sit back and let scuds drop on them in Desert Storm without retaliating. CONGRESS choses to give them money.. NOT ME! mmmmkay? I agree with you that more money could be used for educational programs. I understand your point of view. Should we A.give aid to Israel or B.spend more money on educational programs. I chose A, you chose B.. its that simple. How much money do we currently spend on educational programs? Another problem that I do have is when the economy was good, where was all the complaining about foreign aid? Why now must people turn their attention to Israel and "blame it on the jews?" This is just a theory ofcourse. Im not trying to unveil some plot of anti-semitism.
I agree that the methods are extremely questionable at times. War sucks and innocent people are dying on both sides. There are many unjustifiable things that Israel has done in this war. As for the aid, I was responding to Khan.. not you If you mention aid to Israel, he soils himself. Point taken on the Palestinian point of view of building settlements. My question is "why is it ok for arab muslims to live on Israeli land while jews can't live on palestinian land?" The lack of religious tolerance is a big problem in the arab world and needs to be addressed. As for now, the settlers are freaking nuts to build settlements.
"Throughout the world, from the chambers of the United Nations to the campuses of universities, Israel is singled out for condemnation, divestment, boycott, and demonization." Do the UN, the rest of the world, and academic campuses give any money to Israel?
Israel gets a lot of money from the US because it has one of the strongest and best funded lobbies on Capitol Hill. Because the Jewish vote, support and money are important to winning elections in the US, Congressmen and women who otherwise wouldn't vote such large appropriations do. They do so not because they believe it is the thing to do, but because to do otherwise would be political suicide. The decision to create a Jewish homeland was a bad one, in my opinion, but it's done, and it can't be undone. Israel is here, and I support Israel's right to exist. I support their right to kick the isht out of any of their neighbors who misbehave, too. I support their right to keep property they seized in a war started by their neighbors. The best thing I can say about Israel is that they are less offensive than those who attack them. As for Doucheowitz, he needs to talk less. If I never heard another thing he said, it would be too soon. Talk about an attention w****. The problem I see with so much of what passes for logic is this: Just because someone despises the state of Israel and is opposed to Israel doesn't make them anti-Semitic, or even anti-Jewish. But the fact is that many Jews and their supporters want to characterize those who oppose Israel as anti-Jewish. You can despise what Israel does without hating Jews. I hate all the governments in the region, but I don't hate them because they are Arab or Muslim. I despise them because they are backward, irresponsible, and don't rein in their religious extremists. There is plenty of blame to go around for the mess that is Israel's relation to the world, and I expect Israel to accept their fair share.
Israel definitely has a right to defend itself. They need to kick ass. I'm just not crazy about us paying for it. To downplay $137 billion over 54 years as if it's miniscule is moronic. Even if we do consider it chump change, that money could've went to satisfy domestic needs. We are so partial to the Jews and have continually brushed off the Palestinians. It's downright obvious bias. Just one of the many reasons why we're not winning any world popularity contest.
137 billions spread over 4 millions Israelis is 3425 dollars for each person. I'm dying for this kind of condemnation, divestment, boycott and demonization.
Correct me if I'm wrong, but isn't it more.. 4 billion is 1,000 for each of 4 million Israelis. So 137 billion is $34, 250 per each Israeli? In other words 10's as much. It's about $1,000 per year for each Israeli since the occupation began.
Excellent article. In my view, Israel should continue to build the security wall, build a wall around Gaza, connect the three sections with a walled corridor, grant independence to the inner wall areas, and annex everything outside of the wall. Since Palestine won't deal, Israel should make (and enforce) its own deal. Israel will take a lot of heat for a small time from the world community, but in the end, there will be a solution.
My bad. I must've omitted a zero during input. Math is never my strong suit and you used a better way than I did to calcuate the figures. Come to think of it, that's a luxury car or a small real estate for each Israeli.
