et al,
Isn't this seriously old news (four years old), crafted, framed and massaged to incite American Anger against the only country in the Middle East that shows any signs of success and yet, is defending itself against the Entire Arab League (minus 2), and religious radicals of Iran.
Yes, we discussed this very topic from the annual Congressional Research Service Report (
US Foreign Aid to Israel 2012 CRS RL33222 MAR 2012) which was the basis for the
Article written by
Alison Weir on September 17, 2012.
This is just a different approach in an attempt, by anti-Israeli and pro-Islamic Radicals, to smear the character of the State of Israel. Yes, at the time the article was written,
Israel is the largest cumulative recipient of U.S. foreign assistance since World War II. By 2012, the US has provided Israel $115 billion in bilateral assistance over a 60 year period (1948-2012).
The
June 2015 --- Congressional Research Service --- US Foreign Aid to Israel --- states that:
Israel is the largest cumulative recipient of U.S. foreign assistance since World War II. To date, the United States has provided Israel $124.3 billion (current, or non-inflation-adjusted, dollars) in bilateral assistance. Almost all U.S. bilateral aid to Israel is in the form of military assistance, although in the past Israel also received significant economic assistance.
The policy is to ensure that Israel maintains a qualitative military advantage and edge necessary to defend the Jewish National Home from the Hostile Arab Palestinians (HoAP) that would, given the opportunity, to military oppose the recommendations made by the UN Special Committee on Palestine (1947) and adopted by the UN General Assembly.
For FY2016, the following legislation addresses U.S. foreign assistance to Israel:
• A draft House FY2016 Department of State, Foreign Operations, and Related Programs bill would provide Israel $3.1 billion in FMF as requested.
• H.R. 1735, the House version of the National Defense Authorization bill for FY2016, authorizes up to $371.2 million for various U.S.-Israeli joint missile defense systems including: $41.4 million for Iron Dome, $249.8 million for David’s Sling; $34.5 million for Arrow 3, and $45.5 million for Arrow 2.
• S. 1376, the Senate version of the National Defense Authorization bill for FY2016, authorizes up to $372.4 million for various U.S.-Israeli joint missile defense systems.
• A draft House FY2016 Defense Appropriations bill would provide $487.595 million for U.S.-Israeli joint missile defense programs, of which $55 million is for Iron Dome, $286.526 million is for David’s Sling, $89.550 million is for Arrow 3, and $56.519 million is for Arrow 2.
To put these numbers in proper perspective:
Most fighter equipped units have an authorized number of 18 to 24. A squadron of Marine F-35Bs cost $4.5B, not including the ground equipment and maintenance.
(The little country of the UAE has 6 Squadrons of F-16s; whereas Saudi Arabia has 7 squadrons of fighter bombers and 6 fighter squadrons most composed of F-15s; but the new Typhoon at ≈ $100M per unit is coming on line.)
Since the unlateral Israeli withdraw from the Gaza Strip, and the Oslo Accords for the West Bank Self-Government, the US government has obligated over $5 billion in bilateral economic and non-lethal security assistance to the Palestinians, who are among the world’s largest per capita recipients of international foreign aid from the US. This aid had three prinicple concepts behind it:
Promoting the prevention or mitigation of terrorism against Israel from Hamas and other militant organizations.
Fostering stability, prosperity, and self-governance in the West Bank that may incline Palestinians toward peaceful coexistence with Israel and a “two-state solution.”
Meeting humanitarian needs
I hope this gives a little insight.
Most Respectfully,
R