[Leguaris]

This thread was created partially to prevent derailing another thread in this forum, and partially due to a serious curiosity.

In 2006, the Unites States sent $2.52 billion to Israel in foreign aid. $2.28 billion, or about 90% of the funds, came in the form of military aid. This makes Israel the leading recipient of US foreign aid and the leading recipient of US foreign military funding. Source

So I ask: why? What do we gain from channeling more foreign aid to Israel than any other nation?

Or, viewed from a different angle, why send that much foreign aid to Israel, rather than to Afghanistan or Iraq?

[Tomis]

US is led by Jews, haven't you figured it out? The whole world is led by Jews!

This post has been edited by Arbaces: 14 December 2007 - 12:34 PM

[Josef Thorne]

Leguaris, on Dec 14 2007, 01:31 PM, said:

This thread was created partially to prevent derailing another thread in this forum, and partially due to a serious curiosity.

In 2006, the Unites States sent $2.52 billion to Israel in foreign aid. $2.28 billion, or about 90% of the funds, came in the form of military aid. This makes Israel the leading recipient of US foreign aid and the leading recipient of US foreign military funding. Source

So I ask: why? What do we gain from channeling more foreign aid to Israel than any other nation?

Or, viewed from a different angle, why send that much foreign aid to Israel, rather than to Afghanistan or Iraq?

Israel is one of the US's most important allies, and is sitting smack dab in the middle of several countries which have either attempted to destroy them, or publicly advocate their destruction. Seems like someone you'd want to arm.

[Leguaris]

Josef Thorne, on Dec 14 2007, 01:41 PM, said:

Israel is one of the US's most important allies, and is sitting smack dab in the middle of several countries which have either attempted to destroy them, or publicly advocate their destruction. Seems like someone you'd want to arm.

Expand on this.

Why and in what way is Israel one of the US's most important allies?

Which countries, as of today, publicly advocate their destruction? I'm not denying the existence of the various wars Israel fought during its formative years, but Egypt and Jordan have both made peace with Israel, Syria is too busy with Lebanon to bother with them, and Lebanon is not only too busy with their own problems, but also more likely to be invaded by Israel than the invader. Which nations threaten Israel militarily?

[Kenadian_2006]

Leguaris, on Dec 14 2007, 01:48 PM, said:

Expand on this.

Why and in what way is Israel one of the US's most important allies?

Which countries, as of today, publicly advocate their destruction? I'm not denying the existence of the various wars Israel fought during its formative years, but Egypt and Jordan have both made peace with Israel, Syria is too busy with Lebanon to bother with them, and Lebanon is not only too busy with their own problems, but also more likely to be invaded by Israel than the invader. Which nations threaten Israel militarily?

I suppose the argument would then get to the point of realization that the only reason why Israel is so much more militarily advanced than their neighbours is because of US aid.

[Lavo_2]

Iran and still Syria. As well as many terrorist groups. Edit: Another thing, it wasn't till around '76 that Israel started getting this aid (a little bit after the devastating Yom Kippur war).

This post has been edited by Lavo_2: 14 December 2007 - 01:04 PM

[Crymson]

Kenadian_2006, on Dec 14 2007, 11:58 AM, said:

I suppose the argument would then get to the point of realization that the only reason why Israel is so much more militarily advanced than their neighbours is because of US aid.

Incorrect. Israeli technological industries are amongst the most advanced in the world. That includes military.

The Israelis defeated the Arab nations in 1948 and 1967 before the advent of any military aid from the United States, or from anyone for that matter. Military aid from the United States to Israel began during the war in the 1970s, and this was in response to the fact that the Soviet Union was massively aiding the Arab nations--in short, it was a Cold War power play.

Your 'realization' is in fact not a realization at all--rather, it is an assumption, and it is an incorrect assumption at that. Regrettably, many incorrect assumptions of the sort are made about Israel and about the Middle Eastern situation in general. People would do well to step back and examine the information in-depth before drawing conclusions.

This post has been edited by Crymson: 14 December 2007 - 01:04 PM

[Kenadian_2006]

Crymson, on Dec 14 2007, 02:02 PM, said:

Incorrect. Israeli technological industries are amongst the most advanced in the world. That includes military.

The Israelis defeated the Arab nations in 1948 and 1967 before the advent of any military aid from the United States, or from anyone for that matter. Military aid from the United States to Israel began during the war in the 1970s, and this was in response to the fact that the Soviet Union was massively aiding the Arab nations--in short, it was a Cold War power play.

Your 'realization' is in fact not a realization at all--rather, it is an assumption, and it is an incorrect assumption at that. Regrettably, many incorrect assumptions of the sort are made about Israel and about the Middle Eastern situation in general. People would do well to step back and examine the information in-depth before drawing conclusions.

If the aid is so unnecessary then, why continue it?

[Lavo_2]

Who knows? It's being done by politicians after all.

[Crymson]

Kenadian_2006, on Dec 14 2007, 12:05 PM, said:

If the aid is so unnecessary then, why continue it?

Ask the United States government. It is, naturally, their call, though--oddly enough, albeit sadly in following with common historical behavior toward the Jews in general--instead of pointing the finger at the U.S. government, Israel is often blamed for being the recipient of the aid in question.

This post has been edited by Crymson: 14 December 2007 - 01:10 PM

[Elyat]

$2.5 billion isn't very much, you know.

As others have stated, Israel is an important ally of the United States in a highly volatile region that has been targeted by its neighbours in the past. They fight a constant battle against terrorist groups and their relations with Syria are not exactly exemplary, while Iran still calls for Israel's destruction from time to time. It is important to have a stable ally that can defend itself in that region for obvious political reasons.

[Josef Thorne]

Doitzel, on Dec 14 2007, 02:12 PM, said:

$2.5 billion isn't very much, you know.

As others have stated, Israel is an important ally of the United States in a highly volatile region that has been targeted by its neighbours in the past. They fight a constant battle against terrorist groups and their relations with Syria are not exactly exemplary, while Iran still calls for Israel's destruction from time to time. It is important to have a stable ally that can defend itself in that region for obvious political reasons.

Not to mention a terrorist group as the elected government of the people they have historically fought bitterly with for the land they live on. And a fanatical neighbour who is on the way to developing nuclear weapons.

[Emperor Bentley]

Now i don't enjoy commenting in the Boiler Room as many of the topics are put up by people whome don't even know either what they are talking about or just posts things to flame other Country,leaders, Ect because of there own hate. But as far as this and considering the fact that Israel is a major allie to the U.S and the fact that they are surrounded by people who would rather see them burn then live it makes plenty of since. The fact that Iran has stated in public announcements hundreds of times that someday they will wipe Israel off the face of the planet that is another good reason to send aid to a o so very close allie to us (U.S). Besides, besides the military aid we aid many nations all around the world. Allied or not. Not sure if ill be getting flamed for this or if it even helps but this is the true reason why. I pay attention to Politics everyday and i have taken classes for them. Anyways hope it helps.

Also even though im Christian and i probably wont be looking back at this comment or any responses since it seems many people get flamed for what they post, i would like to ask one question. Why do many of you say things about Jewish people when Jesus himself was Jewish? Personally i think it is mainly reviewed by T.V.

This post has been edited by Emperor Bentley: 14 December 2007 - 01:22 PM

[Kenadian_2006]

Doitzel, on Dec 14 2007, 02:12 PM, said:

$2.5 billion isn't very much, you know.

As others have stated, Israel is an important ally of the United States in a highly volatile region that has been targeted by its neighbours in the past. They fight a constant battle against terrorist groups and their relations with Syria are not exactly exemplary, while Iran still calls for Israel's destruction from time to time. It is important to have a stable ally that can defend itself in that region for obvious political reasons.

What about Turkey? They're a hell of a lot more powerful militarily (or atleast, could be due to the size difference) and aren't being threatened by any other country really.

[Lavo_2]

Turkey has no reason to be and isn't threatened. Israel is known as the Jewish State and as such, is hated and attacked.

[Lord GVChamp]

Kenadian_2006, on Dec 14 2007, 01:05 PM, said:

If the aid is so unnecessary then, why continue it?

Because, three times, Israel was at the brink of destruction. After the 1973 debacle, we weren't willing to let that happen again.

[Robert Davidson]

those who whine about israel getting foreign aid forget about one thing... the US is the leader in giving aid to other countries. $2.5 billion or whatever the numbers were to israel are small, compared to the total aid dispersed between other developing countries in the world. here is a chart that shows the top ten recipients of aid, and how much was given to each region of the world. <a href="http://www.oecd.org/dataoecd/42/30/1860571.gif" target="_blank">http://www.oecd.org/dataoecd/42/30/1860571.gif</a>. as you can see, israel isn't even in the top ten aid recipients. to answer the OP question, we give israel money A) because they are one of our biggest allies B) because just about every other nation that exists in that area want to see the total destruction of the country and C) because they are one of only a few democratically elected and successful governments in the middle east. many dictatorships or non-democratic governments don't want to see democracy in any form in that section of the world.

This post has been edited by Robert Davidson: 14 December 2007 - 02:51 PM

[Heil Frech]

Emperor Bentley, on Dec 14 2007, 01:17 PM, said:

Now i don't enjoy commenting in the Boiler Room as many of the topics are put up by people whome don't even know either what they are talking about or just posts things to flame other Country,leaders, Ect because of there own hate. But as far as this and considering the fact that Israel is a major allie to the U.S and the fact that they are surrounded by people who would rather see them burn then live it makes plenty of since. The fact that Iran has stated in public announcements hundreds of times that someday they will wipe Israel off the face of the planet that is another good reason to send aid to a o so very close allie to us (U.S). Besides, besides the military aid we aid many nations all around the world. Allied or not. Not sure if ill be getting flamed for this or if it even helps but this is the true reason why. I pay attention to Politics everyday and i have taken classes for them. Anyways hope it helps.

Also even though im Christian and i probably wont be looking back at this comment or any responses since it seems many people get flamed for what they post, i would like to ask one question. Why do many of you say things about Jewish people when Jesus himself was Jewish? Personally i think it is mainly reviewed by T.V.

But if Israel is hated by so many countries in the region is it the job of the USA to protect and aid it? Why not let Israel fend for itself and find another ally in the region. After all the reason most nations hate the USA in that region is because we allign ourselves with Israel. At the end of the day most Americans don't care if Israel exists as a country or not, but we do care that because we support Israel it puts American interests and lives in danger. America should stop playing world police and put more resources into America.

I understand that you are a Christian and respect your religion. As far as Jesus being a jew..that would just be your opinion or how you envision your God. Jesus was from Nazareth and the Nazarine people were not jewish..but again noone really knows and I do not want to debate religion.

[dre on fire]

well i dont know exactly why. but i have a feeling it has somthing to do with the american century document.

anyhow this is gonna bite you guys in the $@! ater on i can garentee it. remember when you sent aid to iraq?

history always repeats itself

[Heil Frech]

dre on fire, on Dec 14 2007, 03:00 PM, said:

well i dont know exactly why. but i have a feeling it has somthing to do with the american century document.

anyhow this is gonna bite you guys in the $@! ater on i can garentee it. remember when you sent aid to iraq?

history always repeats itself

It also has to do a lot with greed and corruption in our political system. The Israeli lobby is one of the largest lobby in the country and we all know what lobbiest really are. Groups who can bribe govt. leaders legally. So our leaders sell out their people for cash..