Until the current conservative-led government of Israel starts treating all of its citizens equally, stops building settlements in disputed areas, stops imposing its will and deadly force on the adjacent Palestinian territories, and agrees to recognize the Palestinian Authority as a legitimate and sovereign nation, then the United States should immediately cease all foreign aid to them. While I appreciate the Obama administration’s efforts to rein in Israel compared to the prior Dubya clowns, apparently talk alone does not garner results with the Netanyahu government.-
In 2010, Israel received nearly $3.2 billion in aid from the United States, the vast majority of which was military assistance. In 2011, aid to Israel equaled the equivalent of $8.2 million per day while at the same time, the amount of assistance per day that went to the Palestinian Authority was zero, nothing, nada.
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Screw political fallout (even in an election year), this is simply the right thing to do. If the United States is going to preach the democracy and freedom high road, then we damn well better be ready to follow through. The following weblink provides more shocking data about actions that have been taken/allowed by the Israeli government regarding political prisoners and detainees, demolished homes, and illegal settlements.
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The Israeli government should not be able to operate freely as it has been without any repercussions for bad choices. The only exception to a wholesale cutting off of all foreign aid to Israel would be humanitarian aid in response to a disaster.
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I am not suggesting that Israel give up its right to exist or its right to defend itself. What I do have a problem with are arbitrary and irresponsible actions being taken by more conservative factions there. Palestinian residents of Israel should have the same rights and opportunities as the rest of the populace. In one recent example, the Israeli Supreme Court narrowly upheld a law banning Palestinians from living with their Israeli spouses.
So often Americans hear rom the media that Israel is the only true democracy in the Middle East. That may be so in theory, but until Israel’s actions start resembling the rhetoric, the United States should withhold further foreign aid.
Rick Brown
