I have been trying to get a satisfactory answer to this question for some years.

Here goes: Why do we send some $3 billion dollars in aid to Israel each year, as opposed to any other nation, and currently, the U.S. is considering an additional $4 billion sum for.....um.....weapons?

http://www.washtimes.com/national/20030107-550893.htm

"Senior U.S. and Israeli officials yesterday began negotiations on a "special military aid" request by Israel for up to $4 billion, along with $8 billion in loan guarantees, but officials said action likely will be delayed until after the United States deals with Iraq.

Sean McCormick, spokesman for the National Security Council, refused to comment on yesterday's meeting or confirm it took place."

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".....refused to comment on yesterday's meeting or confirm it took place." what is THAT about?!?!?! I don't get this.

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http://www.arabnews.com/Article.asp?ID=23322

"America’s generous partnership with Israel has been consistently marred by problems, including kickback scandals, graft, overpricing, and other forms of financial abuse."

and...

"Insiders on Capitol Hill predict Israel will likely get all it asks. The aid to Israel comes on the heels of a request by Turkey of more than $6 billion in direct aid and $20 billion in loans as US forces prepare to use bases in that country as a staging area for any attack on Iraq."

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I hope that this thread does not devlove into a racial discussion, as I intend it as a matter of geography and international relations.

[ March 05, 2003, 05:34 AM: Message edited by: bluebird48234 ]

Because we can and someone has to.

No, but really, Israel is our strongest ally in that region.

Don't forget that were much less close to Israel up to the period of the 1967 War, which it fought alone against combined Arab forces.

We also give over a $billion every year to Egypt to prop up Hosni Mubarak and placate his army and security forces. Finally, we dole out dollars to King Abdullah as well. The Hashemite monarchy has had to make do with poor, oil-less Jordan since a branch fell to an assassin's bullets in Iraq in 1958.

Are you serious when you say that "someone has to"? I don't understand this sentiment. Could you elaborate?

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Now that I know that Egypt is receiving billions, and I know that other nations (e.g., most notably, Pakistan http://www.commondreams.org/headlines01/1027-02.htm) are receiving billions......well, I guess Israel has company - and its region may not even be "special".

[ March 06, 2003, 06:07 AM: Message edited by: bluebird48234 ]