Do not insult me for this question. I was asked this question today by a non Jewish neighbor and I thought I would bring the question to this forum.
2007-07-26 09:07:56 · 17 answers · asked by Anonymous in Travel ➔ Africa & Middle East ➔ Israel
Personally I don't think so. America gives aid to Israel, and that is very much appreciated, but I don't think Israel needs more, or less for that matter. The aid it receives is very important and helpful, but if too much is given than Israel won't develope itself and just rely on America, which would be a bad thing. I think America also makes it quite clear that it supports Israel in its struggles, and nothing more could be asked for about that.
2007-07-26 11:39:08 · answer #1 · answered by Michael J 5 · 9⤊ 0⤋
Most of the aid the US gives to Israel is much more for its benefit than for the benefit of Israel.
When Netanyahu was finance minister he was absolutely right in weaning Israel off American aid.
Its this stupid Olmert that dose not have the foresight and wants to cling on like a dependent child.
2007-07-27 03:23:04 · answer #2 · answered by Gamla Joe 7 · 4⤊ 1⤋
Interesting question. Israel is obviously an important strategic asset to the US in terms of intelligence and experience.
I would like to see Israel more self-sufficient on general principles, and to make her less subject to US pressure over things that are against her own interests.
People may not realize that US economic aid to Israel has regularly declined over the past 9 years in accordance with a program requested by Israel when Netanyahu was Prime Minister. My former congressional representative, who is quite neutral on Israeli-Arab issues, once suggested this was probably a mistake and he would have supported continued or maybe increased aid.
I think military aid should continue or increase as needed to compensate for new technology, because there are still existential threats facing the country.
Economic aid--I am less certain, but I would like to see aid provided for specific projects involved in the peace process (like resettling Gaza evacuees), or reconstruction, like the homes and businesses destroyed by Hezbollah's indiscriminant rocket attacks last summer.
2007-07-26 09:47:05 · answer #3 · answered by wanderkind 3 · 4⤊ 3⤋
Though the aid package given to Israel is generous, it is not unique. Many countries receive aid from the US. The financial help given to Egypt is equal to that given to Israel. According to the Wall Street Journal, ( the article was in the paper about a month ago), the Palestinians have received more monetary aid (per capita) than any group in history, including war torn Europe under the Marshall Plan. There probably isn't a country in the world that has not benefited from our tax dollars. I really can't understand this fixation on the Israelis.
2007-07-26 17:11:20 · answer #4 · answered by AIC 2 · 2⤊ 4⤋
Hard to say. Since 1998, US aid to Israel has been tapering off $120 million a year. Israeli economy is very hot and booming right now. Israel is also much less dependent on arms from overseas then it was 50 years ago.
The US and Israel are strategic allies. It would certainly make sense if the United States offered more help, it serves the interest of homeland security, since the Israelis are the ones out in the Middle East.
2007-07-26 15:41:52 · answer #5 · answered by CouchPotato29 1 · 3⤊ 5⤋
No.
As an American, I've grown tired of supporting a government that does not seem to give a hoot about getting along in its neighborhood.
As someone with close ties to Lebanon, I'm angry that the Israelis abused America's aid to seed the southern part of Lebanon with illegal cluster bombs, while destroying a massive amount of civilian infrastructure.
2007-07-26 19:54:11 · answer #6 · answered by tamarindwalk 5 · 4⤊ 2⤋
Does Israel need more aid. Last time I was in Israel most of the Israelis were feeling that they themselves would like to see a reduction of this because they didn't like the stigma that came from taking US aid in that they couldn't take care of themselves and their economy was healthy and growing. I think the current amount of aid is fine at the current rate with the idea to eventually phase it out. Sadly that may never be able to completely happen in the current political situation in the Middle East.
As for those people who think Israel gets to much aid from the US I would remind them that Germany as early as the 1970's was receiving over $20 billion in financial support from the United States. It isn't counted because most of this aid was indirect to the German economy but it was real and Germany still receives a great deal of uncounted financial aid from the United States.
Good Luck!!!
Update - please note Israel is not the only democracy in the Middle East, but you also have Turkey. The United States had from many years helped to supporth Turkey both militarilly and economically as well. This also doesn't get counted in US aid given to countries.
2007-07-26 10:08:20 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 7⤊ 4⤋
The answer is YES. Israel is the fifty-1st State of United States. US need Israel as much as Israel need the US therefore should US cut ties with Israel (never will that happen in a million years) Hezbollah will gain control over middle east and turn the region into a burning hell on earth thus making US extremely venerable to terror. Remember Hezbollah is an extension of Iranian and Al-Qaida influence. Hezbollah is well provisioned with funds/weapons and it is unlikely that the group could be completely disarmed without the US help.
2007-07-26 09:44:24 · answer #8 · answered by sprinkler747 2 · 6⤊ 6⤋
Yes. How can we not when Israel is the only Democratic nation in the festering pool that is the Middle East? Israel is so much like the U.S. in their ideas and morals. Who cares if they are a nation of mostly Jews and we are a nation of mostly Christians. We both have many other religions within our borders. What matters is our outlook on family, tolerance and anti-terrorist notions. I'm not sure why Israel has such a bad rap in this country and with the media. Is it a liberal, democrat idea? I've always been confused on why we don't support Israel like we do England.
2007-07-26 09:16:39 · answer #9 · answered by oregonhoney30 2 · 6⤊ 8⤋
It would be nice if all countrys would help eachother all the time. I say yes.
2007-07-27 11:12:04 · answer #10 · answered by Yofi 2 · 2⤊ 1⤋