- American taxpayers give Israel at least $10 billion each
year, nearly three times the publicly acknowledged $3.5 billion.
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- The precise amount cannot be determined; the funds are
hidden in different programs in different federal agencies.
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- Hidden subsidies "are frequently listed under innocuous
budget titles" in a "budgetary sleight of hand," said a
report by William D. Hartung of the World Policy Institute.
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- Congress routinely approves about $3 billion in foreign
aid to Israel.
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- Next year's Foreign Operations FY 2002 Appropriations
legislation (H.R. 2506), which passed the House, 381-46, on July 24 and
the Senate, 50 to 46, on Oct. 15, publicly details a portion of the economic
and military assistance-called "grants"-slated to be given Israel.
In the section of the appropriations bill, titled "Foreign Military
Financing," Congress provides:
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- . . . Not less than $2,040,000,000 shall be available
for grants only for Israel, and not less than $1,300,000,000 shall be made
available for grants only for Egypt: Provided further, That the funds appropriated
by this paragraph for Israel shall be disbursed within 30 days of the enactment
of this Act or by October 31, 2001, whichever is later: Provided further,
That to the extent that the Government of Israel requests that funds be
used for such purposes, grants made available for Israel by this paragraph
shall, as agreed by Israel and the United States, be available for advanced
weapons systems, of which not less than $535,000,000 shall be available
for the procurement in Israel of defense articles and defense services,
including research and development . . .
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- The money is placed into bank accounts, which Israel
can draw upon to purchase equipment. Meanwhile, bankers garner huge profits
from interest on the "grant money" at the expense of U.S. taxpayers.
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- However, another $2.5 billion "loan" is often
made so Israel can purchase additional arms from American companies. This
"loan" is quietly forgiven in an amendment to an obscure piece
of legislation each year.
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- "Forgiveness" legislation is a popular foreign
policy weapon.
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- The other giveaways are carefully hidden from the public
and many of the legislators who vote for the $15.6 billion foreign aid
package and other legislation that transfers tax dollars to Israel.
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- Many more billions are given away by selling "surplus"
modern military technology at steep discounts. Some such "surpluses"
are discounted by 85 percent of market value. A 1996 report by the Arms
Sales Monitoring Project of the Federation of American Scientists found
that the United States gave away or sold at a steep discount weaponry that
cost taxpayers $8.7 billion.
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- So taxpayers paid twice: once for the forgone proceeds
from the sale of still-useful weaponry to foreign nations and again for
the cost of replacement items.
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- Another conduit of American tax dollars to Israel is
the "economic support funds" administered by the Agency for International
Development. It is funded by the "international affairs" budget.
In fiscal year 1999, Israel received $1 billion from this source, which
is typical. Next year Israel will receive $750 million.
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- HOW 'BOUT AMERICA?
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- Another means of secret funds for Israel was reported
by David P. Yohanna of Chicago in March, 1993. He wrote in the Chicago
Tribune:
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- "The true total aid to Israel in 1993 is as follows:
on budget, $3 billion; off-budget, $1.2 billion; interest paid by U.S.
on above, $50 million; U.S. loan guarantees to Israel, $2 billion; compound
interest on previous grants (1951-1992), $5 billion.
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- "Total 1993 grants, interest, loan guarantees and
compound interest: $11.3 billion," Yohanna wrote.
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- This accounting does not take into consideration Israeli
bonds that are widely sold, not only to supporters but to unsuspecting
taxpayers in every state.
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- American Free Press has no detailed studies but it appears
that 40 years ago most states outlawed state purchases of securities from
outside the country. But apparently such laws were repealed or are being
ignored in all 50 states, benefiting Israel by even more billions. But
much of the disguised funds for Israel come from "petty cash"
operations that go undetected. For example, during fiscal year 1997, the
Pentagon gave Israel $68 million worth of weaponry under something it calls
the "excess defense articles program."
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- Obviously, $10 billion a year, if spent at home instead
of going to fuel Israel's war machine, could benefit Americans handsomely.
Two examples:
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- * Only a fraction of the $10 billion could offset the
$300 million in annual "savings" the administration wants to
accomplish by reducing much-needed benefits given to disabled veterans
and families of those killed in war by 10 percent.
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- * A modern transportation system, with fast, on-time
trains, efficient airline service and unclogged highways could quickly
emerge if funded by $10 billion a year.
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- http://www.americanfreepress.net/10_22_01/_10_Billion_Yea
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