ZGram - 11/1/2001 - "Israel is a very costly ally"

[Ingrid Rimland]

Copyright (c) 2001 - Ingrid A. Rimland

ZGram - Where Truth is Destiny

November 1, 2001

Good Morning from the Zundelsite:

Read this and pass it on.

[START]

Israel Is a Very Costly  Ally

  By Charley Reese

  Some  people have asked for Web sites about the Israeli occupation of
Palestinian  territories. I would suggest you start with
PalestineChronicle.com. You will  find extensive coverage of the issue,  as
well as links to other sites.

 There are  several reasons why all Americans should be interested in this
issue.

 First, it is embarrassing that the government of the world's  so-called
last   remaining superpower plays the role of the tail that is  wagged by
Israel, a   nation about the size of New Jersey. Israel's influence  in
both the   executive and legislative branches of our government is so
pervasive that   Israeli politicians openly boast about it. A few years ago
when Egypt   threatened not to renew the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty
unless Israel   signed it, the Israelis told the Egyptians that if they
didn't  shut up   about the issue, their American aid would be cut off.
Now, please  note:   This is a foreign country telling another foreign
country that it, not  the   United States, has the final say over American
aid.

 Of course, it  is also embarrassing (because of our silence) that the only
nuclear power in  the Middle East is Israel. The only country in the Middle
East that refuses  to sign the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty is Israel.

 The only country in  the Middle East that refuses to allow international
inspection of its  nuclear facilities is Israel. Yet all we hear from
Washington is criticism  of Iraqi leader Saddam Hussain's  weapons of mass
destruction.  What  weapons? He didn't use any in the Gulf war. Why is
there   never any criticism  of Israel's weapons of mass destruction, which
actually   exist?

 And  now we are getting down to the areas where the Middle East actually
affects  Americans. Israel, armed to the teeth thanks to American
taxpayers,    continues to occupy Palestinian, Syrian and Lebanese lands.
It, and it    alone, is a threat to peace in that region, and regional war
would    inevitably affect America's real interest.

  Second, Israel is the most  expensive  ally  in the history of the
human   race. Depending on whose  numbers you use, American aid to Israel
has   totaled $81 billion to $90  billion. There are so many monetary
favors   tucked away in the Defense  Department budget that an accurate
number is   hard to come by. The $81  billion figure is the U.S.
government's.

 I like the way the British  express big numbers. Instead of saying 90
billion, they say 90 thousand  millions. That gives you a better idea of
how   much is involved. Let's  suppose we could build a new public school
for $1   million. With the money  that has gone to Israel, we could have
built 90,000   brand-new public schools  or restored 90,000 public
waterworks or bridges  or any number of other infrastructure  needs.

 There is nothing in the Constitution that authorizes Congress to  tax the
labor of the American people and hand over the proceeds to a foreign
government any foreign government, much less one that has blown up   our
diplomatic facilities in Egypt and attacked  one of our Navy ships in
international waters. An ally like that ought to  come a heck of a lot
cheaper than Israel.

 Finally, our support of  Israel's aggression and cruel treatment of the
Palestinians is alienating  not only the Arab world but the entire Muslim
world. This hatred will  eventually be expressed in the form of terrorism
directed at Americans and  at American interests. Terrorism is the poor
man's way of waging  war.

 America's blind support of Israel's gross violations of human rights  and
international law will not only cost billions of tax dollars but
eventually   American lives as well. No lobby for any foreign country
should  be allowed   to jeopardize American interests and American lives
just to serve  the   selfish interests of a foreign power. America's
government has only one    justification for existence to protect the
lives and interests of    Americans. It's time to start asking Americans,
including our elected    officials: Which country are you loyal to?

[END]


=====

Thought for the Day:

"There is not any political force or group in the world who needed such
kind of terrorist attack - as Israel: to provoke American retaliation
against Israeli enemies. Before democracy has been completely shut down we
must convince the American government to tell us the whole truth."

(Letter to the Zundelsite)