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Israel the perpetual beggar nation
Israel claims to be an independent Jewish state. Measured against that Claim, Israel is a total failure. It has never been independent, never able to stand on its own feet. Every time Israel asks for more money from the US (now totaling four times the entire cost of the Apollo Moon Program) Israel advertises to the world that it is a DEPENDENT state, unable to survive without massive infusions of cash and weapons from the US. And, so long as the US keeps sending such vast amounts of wealth to Israel, Israel's government will never be motivated to learn how to be self-sufficient. Like an overage child still living at home with overindulgent parents, Israel will never grow up to be the independent state it proclaims itself to be.
srael urges U.S. help to bolster economy
By James G. Lakely
THE WASHINGTON TIMES
Israel is asking the United States for billions of dollars in direct aid and loan guarantees to help prop up its stumbling economy and bolster the Israeli Defense Forces as war looms in Iraq.
Dov Weisglass, a top aide to Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon, led a delegation that met with Bush administration officials for three days last week to lay the groundwork for congressional approval of about$12 billion in aid, in addition to the $3 billion given to Israel each year.
"Our request, after being substantiated, supported by the data that we have provided to our American colleagues, will be submitted for consideration and approval of the political level here in the United States and hopefully that will happen in a very timely manner," Mr. Weisglass said.
Israel reportedly is seeking $4 billion in direct aid ? mostly for the military ? and $8 billion in loan guarantees to help lift the country out of a two-year recession.
A source at the Israeli Embassy said he is "optimistic" that Congress would approve the additional funds. If passed, the aid would come on the heels of a request by Turkey of more than $6 billion in direct aid and $20 billion in loans as U.S. forces prepare to use bases in that country as a staging area for any attack on Iraq.
Rep. Ileana Ros-Lehtinen, Florida Republican, led a congressional delegation to Israel last week, and talked with government officials about the need for this aid.
"All the officials with whom we met are hopeful that they can get this economic package," said Mrs. Ros-Lehtinen, who sits on the House International Relations Committee. "Israel is not economically self-sufficient and depends on borrowing to maintain its economy."
Israel, which was hit by Iraq's Scud missiles during the Persian Gulf war in 1991, has "already spent millions" preparing for a repeat of Iraqi retaliations, said a source at the Israeli Embassy.
"Even if there is no conflict with Iraq, and we hope the situation can be resolved peacefully, Israel has spent millions preparing for that war ? missile defense, homeland defense, inoculations for civilians," the source said. "The Iraq situation is causing us to spend more than anyone thought, in the tens of millions."
Israel is in the midst of a recession, brought on by a severe decline in the tourism industry since violence with the Palestinians intensified two years ago.
Andy Fisher, spokesman for Republicans on the Senate Finance Committee, said hearings on the additional funds will be held "in the next couple of months."
"The chairman [Sen. Richard G. Lugar, Indiana Republican] hasn't passed judgment on the aid proposal," Mr. Fisher said. "I can't tell you what members will come back in the mood for as far as military aid. That's why there will be hearings."
Mrs. Ros-Lehtinen said she expects Israel's aid request to be granted, but it could hardly come at a worse time.
"It comes at a difficult time for us because we are in a deficit and have spent a lot on our own security," Mrs. Ros-Lehtinen said. "But it's important for us to come forth with this aid package because Israel could bear the brunt" of a war with Iraq.
Duncan L. Clarke, professor of international relations at American University, said "Israel tends to get what it wants from Congress."
"The combination of Congress being a yes man for Israel and a president who is the same way, I'd say that bodes well for Israel and poorly for the American taxpayer," Mr. Clarke said.
The question that he said probably is not being asked on Capitol Hill is: "Is it the appropriate role of the U.S. to pump up a foreign country's economy?"
Back to Nation/Politics
By James G. Lakely
THE WASHINGTON TIMES
Israel is asking the United States for billions of dollars in direct aid and loan guarantees to help prop up its stumbling economy and bolster the Israeli Defense Forces as war looms in Iraq.
Dov Weisglass, a top aide to Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon, led a delegation that met with Bush administration officials for three days last week to lay the groundwork for congressional approval of about$12 billion in aid, in addition to the $3 billion given to Israel each year.
"Our request, after being substantiated, supported by the data that we have provided to our American colleagues, will be submitted for consideration and approval of the political level here in the United States and hopefully that will happen in a very timely manner," Mr. Weisglass said.
Israel reportedly is seeking $4 billion in direct aid ? mostly for the military ? and $8 billion in loan guarantees to help lift the country out of a two-year recession.
A source at the Israeli Embassy said he is "optimistic" that Congress would approve the additional funds. If passed, the aid would come on the heels of a request by Turkey of more than $6 billion in direct aid and $20 billion in loans as U.S. forces prepare to use bases in that country as a staging area for any attack on Iraq.
Rep. Ileana Ros-Lehtinen, Florida Republican, led a congressional delegation to Israel last week, and talked with government officials about the need for this aid.
"All the officials with whom we met are hopeful that they can get this economic package," said Mrs. Ros-Lehtinen, who sits on the House International Relations Committee. "Israel is not economically self-sufficient and depends on borrowing to maintain its economy."
Israel, which was hit by Iraq's Scud missiles during the Persian Gulf war in 1991, has "already spent millions" preparing for a repeat of Iraqi retaliations, said a source at the Israeli Embassy.
"Even if there is no conflict with Iraq, and we hope the situation can be resolved peacefully, Israel has spent millions preparing for that war ? missile defense, homeland defense, inoculations for civilians," the source said. "The Iraq situation is causing us to spend more than anyone thought, in the tens of millions."
Israel is in the midst of a recession, brought on by a severe decline in the tourism industry since violence with the Palestinians intensified two years ago.
Andy Fisher, spokesman for Republicans on the Senate Finance Committee, said hearings on the additional funds will be held "in the next couple of months."
"The chairman [Sen. Richard G. Lugar, Indiana Republican] hasn't passed judgment on the aid proposal," Mr. Fisher said. "I can't tell you what members will come back in the mood for as far as military aid. That's why there will be hearings."
Mrs. Ros-Lehtinen said she expects Israel's aid request to be granted, but it could hardly come at a worse time.
"It comes at a difficult time for us because we are in a deficit and have spent a lot on our own security," Mrs. Ros-Lehtinen said. "But it's important for us to come forth with this aid package because Israel could bear the brunt" of a war with Iraq.
Duncan L. Clarke, professor of international relations at American University, said "Israel tends to get what it wants from Congress."
"The combination of Congress being a yes man for Israel and a president who is the same way, I'd say that bodes well for Israel and poorly for the American taxpayer," Mr. Clarke said.
The question that he said probably is not being asked on Capitol Hill is: "Is it the appropriate role of the U.S. to pump up a foreign country's economy?"
Back to Nation/Politics
For more information:
http://www.washtimes.com/national/20030224...
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The word I have an issue with in the above sentence is "borrowing". The word really should be just "taking" or "getting" because Israel never has to pay back any of its loans, nor does it. "Guaranteed" loans, means they never have to pay them back. And since they're a money pit they never do.
Ten years ago Israel forced thru Congress a bill which allows them to get it all in one lump sum once passed by Congress and approved by the President. Of course Israel invariably floats large loans on the expected largess while it is waiting.
Then Israel takes much of the money and lends it out to others inthe world, including back to the poor U.S. who gave them the money in the first place..
The United States has not attached any conditions
so far in considering Israel's request for some $12 billion in aid and loan guarantees, the Globes business daily quoted an Israeli official as saying Tuesday.
Last week, media reports said the United States would deduct from the loan money any funds Israel spent in areas it occupied in the 1967 Middle East war, including the West Bank and Gaza Strip.
Israeli and White House officials met Monday in Washington, where the Israeli team requested $4 billion in direct aid and $8 billion in loan guarantees to help Israel cope with a two-year-old recession, Globes said on its Internet site.
"I am unaware of any U.S. demands (on Israel)...as a condition for granting loan guarantees," Globes quoted Finance Ministry Director-General Ohad Marani as saying.
But he said the United States still had time to attach conditions in subsequent meetings.
"If the Americans intend to raise these issues, they can do so in follow-on talks," he said. "The negotiations with the U.S. have opened well. We have no reason not to be optimistic."
When Israel received $10 billion in loan guarantees in the early 1990s as it sought to settle one million immigrants from the former Soviet Union, then-President George Bush imposed restrictions on settlement funding.
Israel has established 145 settlements in the West Bank and Gaza Strip on land Palestinians want for a state of their own. The international community regards the settlements as illegal. Israel disputes this.
ISRAEL WANTS MONEY FAST
Israel, battered by the global economic slowdown and two-year-old Palestinian uprising, has asked Washington to expedite its request for the loan guarantees.
Israel, which has never defaulted on its loans, would find it easier to raise funds with U.S. backing.
"Approval of the U.S. loan guarantees is likely to be faster than usual, thanks to the administration's great understanding of Israel's economic distress caused by the security situation and war against terrorism," Globes quoted Dov Weissglass, Prime Minister Ariel Sharon's chief of staff, who is leading the talks, as saying.
Globes cited sources in Washington as saying there would be no formal response to the aid request from the U.S. administration before April.
Israel is already the top recipient of U.S. foreign aid, receiving close to $3 billion in mostly military assistance each year. A new aid package would come on top of existing U.S. commitments.