georgephillip
Diamond Member
What is the true price paid by US taxpayers for their elites unflinching support for Israel?
"By now many Americans are aware that Israel, with a population
of only 5.8 million people, is the largest recipient of U.S. foreign
aid, and that Israels aid plus U.S. aid to Egypts 65 million people
for keeping the peace with Israel has, for many years, consumed
more than half of the U.S. bi-lateral foreign aid budget world-wide.
"What few Americans understand however, is the steep price they
pay in many other fields for the U.S.-Israeli relationship, which in turn is
a product of the influence of Israels powerful U.S. lobby on American
domestic politics and has nothing to do with U.S. strategic interests, U.S.
national interests, or even with traditional American support for selfdetermination,
human rights, and fair play overseas.
"Besides its financial cost, unwavering U.S. support for Israel,
whether its right or wrong, exacts a huge price in American prestige and
credibility overseas.
"Further, Israels powerful U.S. lobby has been a
major factor in delaying campaign finance reform, and also in the
removal from American political life of some of our most distinguished
public servants, members of Congress and even presidents.
"Finally, the Israel-U.S. relationship has cost a significant number of
American lives.
"The incidents in which hundreds of U.S. service personnel,
diplomats, and civilians have been killed in the Middle East have
been reported in the media.
"But the media seldom revisits these events, and scrupulously avoids analyzing why they occurred or compiling the cumulative toll of American deaths resulting from our Israel-centered Middle East policies."
Israel's cost to the US?
Too damn much.
Boycott! Divest! Sanctions!
"By now many Americans are aware that Israel, with a population
of only 5.8 million people, is the largest recipient of U.S. foreign
aid, and that Israels aid plus U.S. aid to Egypts 65 million people
for keeping the peace with Israel has, for many years, consumed
more than half of the U.S. bi-lateral foreign aid budget world-wide.
"What few Americans understand however, is the steep price they
pay in many other fields for the U.S.-Israeli relationship, which in turn is
a product of the influence of Israels powerful U.S. lobby on American
domestic politics and has nothing to do with U.S. strategic interests, U.S.
national interests, or even with traditional American support for selfdetermination,
human rights, and fair play overseas.
"Besides its financial cost, unwavering U.S. support for Israel,
whether its right or wrong, exacts a huge price in American prestige and
credibility overseas.
"Further, Israels powerful U.S. lobby has been a
major factor in delaying campaign finance reform, and also in the
removal from American political life of some of our most distinguished
public servants, members of Congress and even presidents.
"Finally, the Israel-U.S. relationship has cost a significant number of
American lives.
"The incidents in which hundreds of U.S. service personnel,
diplomats, and civilians have been killed in the Middle East have
been reported in the media.
"But the media seldom revisits these events, and scrupulously avoids analyzing why they occurred or compiling the cumulative toll of American deaths resulting from our Israel-centered Middle East policies."
Israel's cost to the US?
Too damn much.
Boycott! Divest! Sanctions!