Should The U.S. Cut Its Aid To Israel?

by Don Azarias
April 4, 2011
Freshman Republican lawmaker, Sen. Rand Paul of Kentucky, let it be known that he is in favor of cutting U.S. aid to Israel as a way to control the federal budget deficit that’s preventing a sustained economic recovery from taking its roots. It’s part of the bipartisan effort on Capitol Hill to slash government spending by $500 billion this year. However, it drew immediate criticism from both Democrats and Republicans lawmakers who argue the U.S. must continue its financial and military support for the longtime Mideast ally. Sen. Paul said he wants to eliminate the $3 billion annual outlay that the United States provides to Israel.
 
Overall, Sen. Paul’s proposal would entail significant cuts in education, housing and energy while reducing money for wars in Afghanistan and Iraq by $16 billion. Sen. Paul’s plan also would cut some $20 billion in overseas aid.
 
For the readers’ information, the overwhelming majority of Americans agree with Sen. Paul and, personally, I do too. Sen. Paul spokesman Gary Howard had this to say, “Our current fiscal crisis makes it impossible to continue the spending policies of the past. We simply cannot afford to give money away, even to our allies, with so much debt mounting on a daily basis.” Also, for the readers’ information, the latest economic forecast puts the deficit at a record $1.5 trillion.
 
As expected, the responses to Sen. Paul’s stance on this issue from both, Democrats and Republicans, were fast and furious. Matthew Brooks, the executive director for the Republican Jewish Coalition (RJC) said his group rejects Sen. Paul’s ”misguided” proposal to end U.S. assistance to Israel. For the record, RJC has several former senior Bush administration officials on its board of directors.
 
Another top Democrat on the House Appropriations subcommittee that oversees foreign aid, Rep. Nita Lowey (D-New York), said the United States cannot renege on its commitment to the only Democratic nation in a dangerous region. Lowey had this to say, “Using our budget deficit as a reason to abandon Israel is inexcusable. It is unclear to me whether Rand Paul speaks for the tea party, the Republican Party or simply himself. I call on all those who value the U.S.-Israel relationship to make it clear that our nation will not abandon our ally Israel.”
 
The American people don’t have to be reminded that the United States has been Israel’s staunchest ally in the world and had stood with Israel since the Jewish nation was created in 1948. The United States and Israel signed a memorandum of understanding several years ago to ensure Israel’s military edge in the region. Under the agreement, Israel received $2.8 billion in U.S. dollars in the last fiscal year and is slated to get $3 billion in the current year. The agreement calls for $3.1 billion in U.S. funds to Israel over a five-year period beginning with the next budget.
 
The steadfast support for Israel is widespread in Congress and Sen. Paul’s proposal is certain to face strong opposition from Congressional lawmakers from both Parties on Capitol Hill. Also, I’m not discounting the probability of a White House veto in the event that Sen. Paul’s proposal clears Congress.
 
As I have stated earlier, “the United States has been Israel’s staunchest ally in the world and had stood with Israel since the Jewish nation was created in 1948″ and I don’t believe that’s going to change anytime soon. The U.S. commitment and support to Israel through the years have always been unconditional and unwavering. The U.S. government has always been consistent in providing billion dollar outlays to Israel, courtesy of the American taxpayers. And it’s through that endless and bottomless amount of aid that Israel has emerged as the strongest and most progressive country in the Middle East today in terms of its economy and military capability. While it has always been privy about it, Israel is a nuclear-armed nation and can defend itself militarily against its hostile neighbors even without the U.S. forces getting involved. It’s a self-sufficient and self-sustaining country that has produced brilliant minds——scientists and inventors—that made it an even greater nation. It is an exporter of goods that are manufactured and produced from within its borders. Israel is a rich nation that receives enormous amount of financial and political support from its influential and wealthy sons and daughters all around the globe. Most of all, it has shown its resilience in face of countless adversities since its creation more than six decades ago.
 
Is Sen. Paul’s proposal to cut U.S. aid to Israel unreasonable? And my understanding is, “it will only be a suspension or a temporary step until the U.S. has put its financial mess in order.” Personally, I don’t think it’s unreasonable. I don’t share that feeling. Temporarily cutting aid to Israel doesn’t mean we are abandoning our closest ally. Although I know that, majority of American politicians in Washington, D.C., out of fear of having a shorter political life span would rather not spell out their position publicly. Never mind that the United States is experiencing a grave financial crisis that it may not be able to recover from. 
 
As a Fil-Am Republican, I support Sen. Rand Paul’s proposal unequivocally, the same way I admire his unbridled courage in stoking the fire of an issue that his other fellow lawmakers fear to touch. The United States is not trying to abscond from its obligations to Israel; it’s merely asking for a break. Israel and the whole world don’t even have to be reminded that millions of Americans are losing their jobs and their homes and don’t have enough money to send their children to school. Most can’t even afford the costs of their basic needs. To keep helping Israel during these difficult times reeks with hypocrisy and false pretenses on the part of the United States.
 
And isn’t charity supposed to begin at home?