I may be wrong but my understanding is that Israel does not need US financial aid. The aid represents less than 1% of Israel's GDP. Also, the aid has stipulations in that the bulk of the money must be used to buy from US arms dealers so. money goes back to the US. There is a reliance on the US for certain weapon parts and of course a reliance on the US for its support in the UN which probably means more than everything else.
Have said that .... the first thing is for Israel to not rely on any other country for parts and equipment. It must strive to be self-reliant. We can never be in a position where another country can hold those parts as leverage against us. Also, if we do not truly need the financial aid from the US, we should not take it. Todays ally may not be there tomorrow and our survival should solely be in our hands. Our reliance on the US makes us very fragile as one election could be the difference between a very strong ally, a neutral ally or even a weak ally. When you fight for survival, you cannot rely on others for anything unless there is no choice. papa j
Hey Jerry, you are right, Israel could live without it, but it would severely hamper standard of living. There is also a significant amount of aid that doesn’t show up in that 1% number. For example, weapon sales to Israel, countries often pay the weapons manufacturers directly and then transfer the weapons and you are not seeing that in the numbers.
Since world war 2 it’s been about 300 billion. Almost a third of that was in 1949 as part of the Marshal Plan. It’s also worth noting that neighboring countries like Jordan and Egypt also receive significant amounts of aid from the US.
I believe US aid to Israel, which is primarily military aid, is important for US national security interests. We largely have the same enemies as Bibi recently pointed out when he came to Washington. That said, I think Israel should get creative about ways to reduce dependency on foreign aid that limits their autonomy.
One crazy is idea I have is levying a small voluntary income tax on diaspora Jews who believe Israel is essential for their own safety. Military alliances and defense contracts with a growing list of allies in the Middle East, like Saudi Arabia potentially, could also be a longer term longer term solution.
Thanks for reading this and sharing your thoughts.
Jason, I didnt look at your bio until now so let me begin by thanking you from the bottom of my heart for you service in the IDF. You are all truly truly heros who risk your lives not only for Israel but for every Jew in the world and how can anyone thank you enough.
Your idea is not crazy and considering there are 7 million Jews in the Diaspora, it would make an impact. The numbers say about 700 dollars a person to cover the 5 billion in aid. Many many of us would not be able to afford anywhere near that so if it was voluntary and predicated on income, its certainly makes sense.
I have a more just idea ..... how about no more aid to the Haredim? Guess what? They get from the government the same as Israel gets from the States ..... 5 billion dollars. There is no reason in the world, IMHO, for them to get any money. Its all about disgusting politics and nothing more. Its morally reprehensible that they get money from Israeli taxpayers to start with but they dont even want to enlist. Drives me crazy and I am a former Yeshiva boy. Before going to the Diaspora, its time that the Haredim supported themselves in the "real world".. Its funny that the numbrer 5 billions is the exact round number in aid. Methinks Hashem is telling us something, huh? Have a good Shabbos and stay out of trouble. ahimsa, papa j
Thank you, but I was very fortunate to serve during a time of relative peace and feel like I did very little compared to many others, especially those serving now. Enjoy your Shabbat as well and thanks for reading and sharing your thoughts.
Agreed! Paragraph 1: that is my understanding as well. Paragraph 2: Absolutely, Israel should NOT be dependent on the US for any parts. Let me add that it is also my understanding that the U.S. profits from Israel's use of these items in the field, during war. It'a akin to "testing" if you will. It's also been said in an essay here that the U.S. receives a lot of intelligence from Israel, intelligence re all parts of the world. Israel should be leveraging that; less support in the UN, less intelligence shared.
I thought Israel knew about the imminent attack in 1973 but the U.S. aid "no dice; do NOT be the first to attack" and that's why it was so bad for Israel. My understand is that it's always better to attack as soon as you detect a build-up; take the enemy by surprise and cut them off at the knees.
The best defense is a good offense. The best skill is knowing when to use it.
It is vital for Israel's survival.
I may be wrong but my understanding is that Israel does not need US financial aid. The aid represents less than 1% of Israel's GDP. Also, the aid has stipulations in that the bulk of the money must be used to buy from US arms dealers so. money goes back to the US. There is a reliance on the US for certain weapon parts and of course a reliance on the US for its support in the UN which probably means more than everything else.
Have said that .... the first thing is for Israel to not rely on any other country for parts and equipment. It must strive to be self-reliant. We can never be in a position where another country can hold those parts as leverage against us. Also, if we do not truly need the financial aid from the US, we should not take it. Todays ally may not be there tomorrow and our survival should solely be in our hands. Our reliance on the US makes us very fragile as one election could be the difference between a very strong ally, a neutral ally or even a weak ally. When you fight for survival, you cannot rely on others for anything unless there is no choice. papa j
Hey Jerry, you are right, Israel could live without it, but it would severely hamper standard of living. There is also a significant amount of aid that doesn’t show up in that 1% number. For example, weapon sales to Israel, countries often pay the weapons manufacturers directly and then transfer the weapons and you are not seeing that in the numbers.
Since world war 2 it’s been about 300 billion. Almost a third of that was in 1949 as part of the Marshal Plan. It’s also worth noting that neighboring countries like Jordan and Egypt also receive significant amounts of aid from the US.
I believe US aid to Israel, which is primarily military aid, is important for US national security interests. We largely have the same enemies as Bibi recently pointed out when he came to Washington. That said, I think Israel should get creative about ways to reduce dependency on foreign aid that limits their autonomy.
One crazy is idea I have is levying a small voluntary income tax on diaspora Jews who believe Israel is essential for their own safety. Military alliances and defense contracts with a growing list of allies in the Middle East, like Saudi Arabia potentially, could also be a longer term longer term solution.
Thanks for reading this and sharing your thoughts.
Jason, I didnt look at your bio until now so let me begin by thanking you from the bottom of my heart for you service in the IDF. You are all truly truly heros who risk your lives not only for Israel but for every Jew in the world and how can anyone thank you enough.
Your idea is not crazy and considering there are 7 million Jews in the Diaspora, it would make an impact. The numbers say about 700 dollars a person to cover the 5 billion in aid. Many many of us would not be able to afford anywhere near that so if it was voluntary and predicated on income, its certainly makes sense.
I have a more just idea ..... how about no more aid to the Haredim? Guess what? They get from the government the same as Israel gets from the States ..... 5 billion dollars. There is no reason in the world, IMHO, for them to get any money. Its all about disgusting politics and nothing more. Its morally reprehensible that they get money from Israeli taxpayers to start with but they dont even want to enlist. Drives me crazy and I am a former Yeshiva boy. Before going to the Diaspora, its time that the Haredim supported themselves in the "real world".. Its funny that the numbrer 5 billions is the exact round number in aid. Methinks Hashem is telling us something, huh? Have a good Shabbos and stay out of trouble. ahimsa, papa j
Thank you, but I was very fortunate to serve during a time of relative peace and feel like I did very little compared to many others, especially those serving now. Enjoy your Shabbat as well and thanks for reading and sharing your thoughts.
Agreed! Paragraph 1: that is my understanding as well. Paragraph 2: Absolutely, Israel should NOT be dependent on the US for any parts. Let me add that it is also my understanding that the U.S. profits from Israel's use of these items in the field, during war. It'a akin to "testing" if you will. It's also been said in an essay here that the U.S. receives a lot of intelligence from Israel, intelligence re all parts of the world. Israel should be leveraging that; less support in the UN, less intelligence shared.
I thought Israel knew about the imminent attack in 1973 but the U.S. aid "no dice; do NOT be the first to attack" and that's why it was so bad for Israel. My understand is that it's always better to attack as soon as you detect a build-up; take the enemy by surprise and cut them off at the knees.
Autonomy to make good decisions is crucial.