Time to rethink US aid

[oberliner]

Op-ed: State of Israel strong enough by now to stop acting like America’s spoiled child

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s awkward recognition of American aid portrays Israel as a privileged offspring instead of a true and loyal friend.

Presumably during his recent speech at the US Congress, Bibi intended to be humble when he generously thanked America for its unwavering economic support. However, the entire event unfolded drastically differently in front of our own eyes: The leader of our great nation made a gesture of submissiveness to our American friends, underscoring the notion that the US-Israel relationship, while special, it is not based on the idea of equality among peers.

Of course, we never saw Hosni Mubarak, Asif Ali Zardari, Nouri al-Maliki or Hamid Karzai at the podium delivering the same style of speech. The countries they represent received nearly equal or more US aid than Israel does. Indeed, some of the most brutal, backwards regimes in our region receive American aid. Do we really wish to have ourselves collectively placed in a category with such chaotic regimes? Is this truly in Israel’s best interests? Probably not.

http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-4075586,00.html

[aquart]

1. Yes. We should buy arms for the Palestinians.

That would make everyone in the Middle East feel more secure. And they're so much more loyal to us.

[bemildred]

2. Interesting. nt

[oberliner]

3. Even moreso, I think, when you consider the authors

They are both very young (early 20s) men who were born and raised in the US. Each of them moved to Israel in their late teens and are founding members of the friend-a-soldier website.

Here is an article on that site from the Palestinian news source, Ma'an News:

http://www.maannews.net/eng/ViewDetails.aspx?ID=367970

I hope you find it worth reading.

[bemildred]

4. I was mostly taken with the fact they brought up the issue of dependency.

Which is rarely discussed. I mean it's nice what they are doing, but it's not all that unusual, lots of people from various angles are trying to get along and make things better instead of worse.

[oberliner]

5. I think it is unique in some ways

to have young people who are clearly quite "pro-Israel" to be recommending, essential, that the US cut aid to Israel.

They seem to be coming at this suggestion from a completely different perspective from most folks who argue for that sort of thing.

[bemildred]

6. Yes, that's it.

I assume the subject comes up in government circles, and it is polemicized or treated as a sacred cow frequently, but I don't recall it being brought up more than a few times as an policy under rational consideration, particularly from the negative side, and yet it is fundamental.