Most US government officials, both Democrats and Republicans, agree on its support for Israel. The main reason for this consensus, as will be discussed below, is the deep influence of the Zionist lobby in various layers of the American government.
Faraan: Since the October 1973 Arab-Israeli war, the United States has provided a level of support for Israel that has reduced US aid to other countries. Israel has always been the largest recipient of direct US economic and military aid since 1976, and the largest recipient of total aid since World War II. According to the available statistics, the total US aid to Israel in 2003 was more than $ 140 billion. [1] Israel receives about $ 3 billion in direct foreign aid each year, which is about one-fifth of the US foreign aid budget in terms of per capita payments. In fact, the United States provides a direct subsidy to each Israeli worth approximately $ 500 per year! [2]
Israel also receives special assistance from Washington. Other recipients of the US aid receive their money in four installments, but Israel receives its full share at the beginning of each fiscal year and benefits even more. The major recipients of the US military aid are required to spend the full amount received in the United States, [3] but Israel can use a 25 percent share of the aid to upgrade its defense industry. Israel is the only recipient of the US aid that does not have to answer how it spent the money. Thus, the exemption includes Israel, which in practice makes it impossible to prevent the money from being spent for purposes contrary to US wishes. The United States has also provided Israel with access to highly advanced American weapons such as Black Hawk [4] helicopters and F-16 jets. Finally, the United States makes information available to Israel, which in practice withholds its NATO allies and keeps its eyes closed on Israel’s acquisition of nuclear weapons. [5]
The Consensus of the US Government Officials on Supporting Israel
Most US government officials, both Democrats and Republicans, agree on its support for Israel. The main reason for this consensus, as will be noted below, is the deep influence of the Zionist lobby in various layers of American government.
To cite an example, the members of the US Senate have different views and orientations on most issues, but are completely in agreement on what concerns Israel. A televised debate in April 1975 revealed that Sen. George McGovern [6] of South Dakota and Sen. Frank George [7] of Idaho were in total disagreement with Sen. James. Buckley of New York in regards to the US policy in Southeast Asia. However, when it came to the Arab-Israeli issue, everything went smoothly, and all three insisted that it was necessary not to leave alone the only American ally, Israel. [9]
What General Ira C. Eaker [10] quotes show the US Congress’ unwavering support for the Israeli regime and the depth of the contradictions in their talks. the high-ranking military official writes: “The Jawitz fighter jet, which has a variety of uses and is named after its designer, a member of the New York Senate, bears a striking resemblance to the Phantom 4. When the plane flies over Hanoi, the members of Congress see it as a provocative act that could lead to the World War III, but when the same planes with the Star of David on them fly over Cairo, it is considered the work of defending freedom.” [11]
In the case of the US aid and support to Israel, the economic situation in that country is not very important, and this aid should be provided under any circumstance.
Helping Israel even in the face of severe economic crises
In the summer of 1974, a group of American economists, including Arthur Prince, chairman of the US Federal Emergency Management Committee, called for spending cuts to combat inflation and the record economy that the country was suffering from. Meanwhile, the House Foreign Affairs Committee [12] approved an increase of the financial aid to Israel from $ 50 million to $ 250 million. In addition, the US government proposed to the House of Representatives to agree to the sale of $ 200 million worth of weapons to Israel and to allow Israel to pay in installments. The Foreign Affairs Commission not only agreed to the proposal, but also gave $ 1 million to Israel. [13]
In regards to the big financial aid to Israel to build new settlements in the occupied territories, Senator Fulbright says: “While the US Senate is providing $ 85 million in aid to Israel, I am having serious problems getting $ 8 million to build a road in Arkansas due to a lack of funding.” [14]
American public opinion opposes aid to Israel
Despite the opposition of American public opinion to any foreign aid to any foreign country, why does the support of Congress under the influence of the Zionist lobby, keep on guaranteeing continuous foreign aid to Israel? The US Congress consistently submits aid bills to Israel to the government in accordance with its request.
After the end of the Cold War, the US financial and economic aid to the foreign countries declined, but the aid to Israel continued to grow as it had in the past. Since the 1980s, Israel and Egypt have each received at least $ 2 billion a year in financial assistance.
Given Egypt’s larger population, that means $ 52 per Egyptian and about $ 14,000 per Israeli. Assistance to Egypt during the time of Hosni Mubarak was a strategic weapon in the hands of the United States, by which it guaranteed the continuation of the “cold peace” between Israel and Egypt, while at the same time it supported Egypt in pursuing the regional policies. Meanwhile its help to Israel has strategic goals. [15]
During the 1990s, out of the $ 3 billion in annual US aid to Israel, $ 1.2 billion was in the form of economic aid and $ 1.8 billion in military aid. This is more than the total economic aid provided to Central African countries, Latin America and the Caribbean.
As a direct result of the congressional support for Israel under the influence of the Zionist lobby, the US financial assistance to Israel from 1948 to 2001 amounted to $ 91 billion, and by 2003, the total US financial assistance, including special indirect spending benefits, was estimated at $ 1.8 trillion. These amounts do not include tax breaks for the purchase of Israeli guarantees or the expenses of organizations that send aid to Israel without paying taxes. [16]
In general, it can be said that thanks to the efforts of the pro-Israel Zionist lobby in the United States, this country has been the largest recipient of US foreign aid since World War II.
Source:
Jafari Movahed, Hussein, The Hidden Rulers (An Analysis of the Influence of the Zionist Lobby on Governmental and Non-Governmental Elements of the United States)
Majid Rahimi
Endnotes:
[1] According to information in the Green book, affiliated to the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), which reports loans and grants to other countries, Israel received $ 1,401,428 from the United States in the year 2000. To view the above information, visit the site: www.qesdb.clie.org
[2] John Mearsheimer and Stephen Walt, the Israeli Lobby and American Foreign Policy, pp. 3 and 4
[3] That means to spend on military goods or equipment from American companies.
[4] Blackhawk
[5] Ibid., P. 4. The information contained in the book “Israel Lobby and US Foreign Policy” is based on the statements of the authors of this book, based on credible documents provided by reputable international human rights organizations and statements by members of the active Zionist lobby in the United States. Therefore, there is no dispute in this information.
[6] George Stanley McGovern
[7] Frank George
[8] James L. Buckley
[9] Most of the politicians are under pressure from the Zionists, who are elected to represent the states where the largest number of Jews live. The state of New York is an example of this before any other state, because about two million and two hundred thousand Jews live in this state (about 18% of all American Jews). One of the representative of the state of New York quotes this fact as follows: “As the western United States pursues dam-building and agricultural reform programs, its representatives in the region are desperately trying to get Israel to receive more military aid from the United States” (The Washington Post, April 26, 1978). Most politicians in New York State, both Jewish and Christian, speak of age as if the Israeli ambassadors are in New York.
[10] Ira C. Eaker
[11] Mohammad Ahmadi, Zionist researcher (collection of articles), p. 162.
[13] By House Resolution 16/3 of the US House of Representatives on March 19, 1975, the House Foreign Affairs Committee was renamed the International Affairs Committee.
[13] Ibid., P. 161
[14] Ibid., P. 165
[15] Janice J. Terry, the US Foreign Policy in the Middle East: The Role of Lobbyists and Influential Groups, pp. 114 and 115
[16] Ibid., P. 116 and 117
