Israel asking US for 50% increase in next defense package
Israeli soldiers patrol near an Iron Dome defense system, designed to intercept and destroy incoming short-range rockets and artillery shells, in the Golan Heights, on January 20, 2015. (AFP/Jack Guez)
Raise would bring annual military funding to $4.5 billion; US, Israeli officials in talks for 10-year deal
By JTA May 26, 2015, 10:22 pm 167, The Times of IsrealWASHINGTON — Israel reportedly wants the US to increase its annual defense assistance package by half, to an average $4.5 billion.
Defense News reported this weekend that Israel and US officials have in recent months begun negotiations on the next 10-year aid package.
The previous package, negotiated by the George W. Bush and Ehud Olmert governments in 2007, averaged $3 billion of assistance each year, for a total of $30 billion, from 2007-2017.
The government of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu wants that to increase to $42-45 billion over the 2018-2028 period, Defense News reported, adding that President Barack Obama during his March 2013 visit to Israel “endorsed in principle” that range.
Defense News quoted “US and Israeli experts” as saying that the amount would be separate from any package the United States offered Israel as compensation for the Iran nuclear deal now being negotiated between Iran and the major powers.
(More here. LP note: How about $0? I'd rather have that $4.5 billion for U.S. schools, infrastructure, health care, anti-poverty programs and tax breaks for America's disadvantaged.)
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1 Comments:
But don't "we" have to do this to protect American business ?
What would Noble Energy do if "we" didn't provide protection for their investment ?
And what would Bibi and Kerry have to use as a pleasant conversation ice-breaker if America didn't support Noble Energy ?
BTW, if you remember the 2011 "cottage cheese protests", looks like the "band is back together" protesting the new Noble Energy-Delek Group natural gas monopoly.
On an unrelated issue, I wonder what Republicans, who reacted so negatively after the Supreme Court ruling on same-sex marriage, think of Bibi's comments :
“As Pride Week unfurls, I would like to send my congratulations to the LGBT community. The fight for recognition for every person as equal before the law is a long one and there is plenty of progress to be made. I am proud of how Israel is one of the world’s most open-minded countries in its treatment of the proud community and that its discourse is becoming each year more respectful and accepting.”
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