A recent article of mine caused quite a flap at our local newspaper. I dared, actually dared, to question the value of America’s financial commitment to Israel. I reasoned that Prime Minister Ariel Sharon’s spontaneous outburst during a recent cabinet meeting–about how Jews control America, and America knows it–was proof enough that Israel is no bosom buddy of ours.
But having gotten Sharon’s remark from a Palestinian Information Service report, I frankly questioned the credibility of it—until I talked to the journalist in Hebron who had picked up the comment from a broadcast on KOL Yisrael radio, of all places. This gave it the stamp of authenticity I was looking for.
It was this weird episode that got me wondering why America unequivocally supports Israel, while ignoring the reasons why Israeli policymakers are not the “good guys” they profess to be. And more importantly, what this lopsided relationship is costing America. In dollars now, and who knows, maybe lives later.
John Maynard Keynes, the economist, once said: “The engine which drives enterprise is not thrift. It is profit.” In other words, what you get for your money.
America, for example, probably got a fair return on the Marshall Plan, whether you agree with it or not. After World War II, we spent $15 billion to help rebuild 15 countries in Europe. This helped to contain Communism, established staunch allies, and gave us some viable trading partners.
Can we say as much for the $3 to $5 billion we give to Israel each year? What are we building over there? Good will? Good luck.
In short, what are our bucks buying, except the headaches of a pseudo democracy, and the arrogant diatribe of a loose-cannon Foreign Minister?
Certainly not freedom. Non-Jews are not allowed to immigrate to Israel, but any Jew in the world is welcome. ( This may have recently changed.)
Not peaceful intentions. Israel is one of the Middle East countries that rattle nuclear weapons.
Not conscience. The Israeli Defense Force summarily kills prisoners of war.
Not justice. Israeli courts refuse to prosecute their military people who have admitted executing prisoners.
Not mercy. Israeli interrogators continue to torture prisoners, despite a worldwide ban on inhumane treatment.
Not leadership. Prime Ministers Begin, Shamir, Rabin, and Sharon have all taken part in bomb attacks against civilians.
Not sovereign respect. According to Fortune Magazine, the Jewish AIPAC is the second most powerful lobby in Washington. Its influence on the U.S. Congress, which nobody talks about, is a matter of record.
Not modesty. The Israeli Foreign Ministry pays a Public Relations firm big bucks to promote Israel to gullible Americans.
Not non-violence. Israel once issued a stamp honoring a man who attacked a civilian bus.
With such distinct differences in our values, how did we get to be Israel’s Daddy Warbucks? And where the hell’s the return on our money? If you think about it, there are plenty of more productive places we could invest the billions of dollars we pump into Israel each year.
Into the United States of America, for example.