The $1.1 trillion omnibus spending bill rolled back sequestration on a lot of fronts, mostly military. They also did so on subsidies to Israel, with $3.1 billion in aid kept intact without the mandated 8 percent across-the-board cuts.
Israel Lobby AIPAC loudly cheered the news, saying the US had kept its “commitment” to Israel’s security. Israeli officials had previously said they “understood” the need for sequestration and were fine with the 8 percent cuts.
Israel gets by far the most aid out of the foreign aid budget in the US, and the bill similarly kept Egypt’s $1.5 billion aid intact despite a military coup that legally obliged the US to halt all aid to that nation. Israel had lobbied heavily to keep funding for Egypt’s junta, and has praised the military since taking over the nation.
The bill also affirmed $400 million in aid to the Palestinian Authority, but adds new conditions to that aid, threatening to cut that funding if the Palestinians seek recognition internationally.
Ah, yes, the US financing terrorism, apartheid, racism, genocide, spying against the US, bribing US politicians, etc. Lovely….
Business as usual. Another day in the Evil Empire.
To the Palestinians, we will cut you aid if any attempt is made to free yourself from Israel’s apartheid system.
How does the US benefit from this, exactly?
It doesn't…
Israel plans to spend billions on outreach: http://www.jpost.com/Jewish-World/Jewish-News/Isr…
So with millions starving worldwide, homelessness and hunger rampant in the US, more than half the foreign aid budget will, in effect, be spent on efforts to "bolster Jewish identity." I hadn't noticed there was a problem with that.
Thanks for posting! That was my first thought after I read the headline, too! The Fifth column operating all over the world will be bought and paid for by American taxpayers money. That billion could be spent on our kids education, our elderly Social Security boost, but no, Israeli identity "über alles"!
The true colors of our government shine through. It exists to carry out the will of the 1%. Guess who they are. We cut food stamps, unemployment benefits, veterans benefits. The infrastructure is crumbling. Millions of people illegally foreclosed upon. But the bankers get trillions, billions for war, and billions for Israel. How long do we tolerate this…
That tells you, the American people how you are screwed daily, in one hand they are making deal with Saudis that are sending terrorist into Syria terrorizing the nation, in the other they giving to the devil making sure that BOTH PARTIES are happy.
Our elected official who take so much money from Israel wants to means test social security becase he have such a big debt. Those officials could not ever take a penny from the massive flood of money they send. I am after so much money give over the last 65 years they could cut a penny. I know they give billions and only get millions but it is one really sick situation. Why do we send so much money to such to few. I would love to know how many in Israel are one citizens and how many are dual citizens actually living in foreign lands. Maybe he many billion end up in a lot of pockets in New York and Las Vegas. Maybe with all the money Israel might provide one man hour or more to our military efforts often needed because of efforts of the government of israel to start trouble and have others fight in the wars.
A tax, in the general understanding of the term and as sued in
the constitution, signifies an exaction for the support of the
government. The word has never thought to connote the
expropriation of money from one group for the benefit of another.
United States v. William M. Butler, 297 U.S. 1.
Congress may not, under the taxing power, assert a power not
delegated to it by the constitution. Regal Drug Co. v. Wardell,
260 U.S. 386.
time for an Iceland or a Bangkok. this govt has to go. we need govt by lottery
Israel is quite happy to keep milking the US, even at the risk of it going dry. It is already putting out feelers to a possible replacement host. Israel has been greasing the way by selling high tech military gear to the annoyance of the US.
This is how you know Washington is all about international law and human rights.
This and a few other things, like its lovely treatment of the Chagossians, and the like:
http://empireslayer.blogspot.com/2013/11/obama-su…
The ca$h cow udder$ are now minced beyond recognition. Maggots are falling from the former teats in torrents. The poor Americans are being told to cook the maggots, and eat them.
I'd like to see details of all the other American subsidy of Israel.
They get a vast amount in "tax expenditures." Other nations get customs relief for having Israeli content. Americans work in Israel tax free. R&D that is moved to Israel gets US tax breaks for leaving here. Donations are of course tax free. There are hundreds of items of tax expenditure.
There are also many things we spend "for ourselves" in Israel that are actually for Israel. For example we stockpile "our" ammunition and spare parts in Israel, available for their use. They don't maintain such stocks for more than a couple days of use. We do it for them. Ammo and parts are VERY expensive, more expensive than the weapons themselves, and we do it for them.
We also supply and guarantee their fuel. Strategic fuel reserves and arrangements are very expensive.
When all of that is totaled, it leaves the $3.45 billion (antimissile contributions went up) seem small in comparison.
That does not even add what we give to Egypt and Jordan to pay for their cooperation with Israel, that we would not spend except Israel insists, and would cut off in the case of Egypt but for heavy Israeli lobbying for it to continue.
The totals must be huge, likely more than the cost of the entire unemployment benefits we can't afford.