Contrary to the opinion of many letter writers to the Daily News, the staggering US aid given to Israel is a major impediment to bringing about a peaceful settlement with the Palestinians. According to Thomas Stauffer (see full report by staff writer David Francis of the Christian Science Monitor), a consulting economist in Washington, Israel has drained a staggering $1.6 trillion from the U.S. Treasury since 1973.
At a White House meeting last month, Israeli officials are now demanding $4 billion in additional military aid and $8 billion in loan guarantees to prop up the recession-bound economy. This money is being diverted from critically needed U.S. programs such as education and health care. U.S. aid money has always been paid to Israel without pre-conditions. There is little doubt that the funds have been used to construct roads and settlements for the exclusive use of Jews giving rise to an apartheid system of government. A growing number of former Israeli Defense Forces soldiers (see IDF ‘breaking the silence’) have chosen to speak out and have vigorously denounced the constant harassment and intimidation of Palestinians by IDF soldiers. It is time for U.S. taxpayers to break the silence and demand an immediate halt to unconditional military and economic support to Israel.
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