Benefits to the US of continued US support of Israel

IronWing

No Lifer
Jul 20, 2001
72,409
32,993
136
The US spends approximately $3 billion/year on taxpayer-funded direct aid to Israel (loans with repayment waivers*) plus an additional $1 billion/year in private donations. In addition, the US has provided loan guarantees (real loans with the expectation of repayment) to Israel.

What are the practical benefits to the US for providing this aid and for providing political support to Israel? Here are a couple I've come up with. Please add your own.

Trade:
Israel and the US exchange about $30 billion/year in goods and services placing Israel roughly in the #20 spot for US trade partners with approximately 1% of total US international trade. Edit: The US runs about a $0.5 billion/yr trade deficit with Israel, as we run trade deficits with almost everybody.

Military and civilian technology development:
The US and Israel cooperate on some weapons system development as well as cooperation in research for non-military technologicl development.


* http://fpc.state.gov/documents/organization/47088.pdf
 

palehorse

Lifer
Dec 21, 2005
11,521
0
76
I hate to state the obvious, but...

1) They are a very committed and effective ally in the global war against terrorism.

2) They are the lone democratic nation in a region of high strategic value that is otherwise dominated by authoritarian regimes -- many of which directly support or have ties to the terrorists mentioned in item #1.
 

JS80

Lifer
Oct 24, 2005
26,271
7
81
Supporting Israel is to support Freedom and Justice.

But since when is practicality any reason for political support?
 

jonks

Lifer
Feb 7, 2005
13,918
20
81
Ensuring Jesus's return and our eventual Rapture? (or burning...)

http://www.beliefnet.com/Faith...he-Rapture-Factor.aspx

But it goes beyond that. The establishment--and continuation--of the State of Israel is essential to set the stage for the imminent return of Jesus. At the time of the Second Coming, these Christians believe, Jesus will descend from heaven, subdue all of Israel's enemies and take believers to heaven in what is known as the Rapture--literally, they will ascend to the clouds to be in heaven. This series of events ushers in the end-times. According to conservative Christians' reading of the Book of Revelation, this won't happen unless Israel exists in the Holy Land.
 

kylebisme

Diamond Member
Mar 25, 2000
9,396
0
0
Originally posted by: palehorse
I hate to state the obvious, but...

1) They are a very committed and effective ally in the global war against terrorism.
Israelis ongoing colonization of the West Bank along with our continuing support for them is some of the most effective recruitment martial terrorists have. See bellow for details.

Originally posted by: palehorse
2) They are the lone democratic nation in a region of high strategic value that is otherwise dominated by authoritarian regimes -- many of which directly support or have ties to the terrorists mentioned in item #1.
Israel's democracy is limited by it's ethnic nationalist construction, and only extends to their internationally recognized borders. Beyond those borders, in the West Bank, Israel maintains an apartheid regime which separates Palestinians from the 500,000 and growing Israelis civilians colonizing Palestinian land.
 

0marTheZealot

Golden Member
Apr 5, 2004
1,692
0
0
Originally posted by: palehorse
2) They are the lone democratic nation in a region of high strategic value that is otherwise dominated by authoritarian regimes -- many of which directly support or have ties to the terrorists mentioned in item #1.


The US doesn't care about democracy, any cursory reading of history will tell you this.

What happened to democracy/freedom in Iran when we overthrew it's democratically elected government in 1953 and installed the Shah? Why do we continue to stifle democratic reforms in Egypt, Yemen, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Oman, Jordan? The US has overthrown more democracies than the Soviet Union. We overthrew democracies in South America, the Middle East and Asia for decades; the difference is that we didn't outright annex the countries we meddled in. We merely installed friendly governments conducive to our goals.

The Jewish lobby, Christian fundamentalists and historical inertia are the main reasons why we support Israel. Bad news of Israel (re: occupied lands) is distorted and re-worded to make it seem less harsh, while Israeli successes are trumped up and expounded on.
 

kylebisme

Diamond Member
Mar 25, 2000
9,396
0
0
Originally posted by: Leon
Originally posted by: BoberFett
It pisses of the ultra lefty and ultra righty wackjobs. That's enough for me.

Fixed!

If there is one thing that can unite Michael Moore and David Duke, this is it.
Difference being that people like Michael Moore are consrend for the people on both sides in this conflict, while people like David Duke would be happy to see them all dead.
 

brandonb

Diamond Member
Oct 17, 2006
3,731
2
0
Originally posted by: palehorse
I hate to state the obvious, but...

1) They are a very committed and effective ally in the global war against terrorism.

2) They are the lone democratic nation in a region of high strategic value that is otherwise dominated by authoritarian regimes -- many of which directly support or have ties to the terrorists mentioned in item #1.

Which is why Israel continues to do what it does so it can create Terrorists. Which we pay Israel to destroy. It has no problems bulldozing or bombing civilians to get 3 billion in foreign aid.

Remember, we also pay Egypt money not to attack Israel. So you have to add up foreign aid to both nations. Which is nearly 7 billion.

7 billion in aid... For what? To save us from Terrorists? What terrorists would attack the USA? They only attack us because we supply Israel the foreign aid and military hardware to do such activities.

Maybe its not so obvious, atleast I can't figure it out. Explain to me?
 

BoberFett

Lifer
Oct 9, 1999
37,562
9
81
Originally posted by: TheSnowman
Originally posted by: Leon
Originally posted by: BoberFett
It pisses of the ultra lefty and ultra righty wackjobs. That's enough for me.

Fixed!

If there is one thing that can unite Michael Moore and David Duke, this is it.
Difference being that people like Michael Moore are consrend for the people on both sides in this conflict, while people like David Duke would be happy to see them all dead.

Both of those viewpoints have their merits.
 

manowar821

Diamond Member
Mar 1, 2007
6,063
0
0
Bullshit. All of it.

I don't care, and I never will. This enemy you all speak of is a product of our neglect and abuse of other nations and a sickening foreign policy. Committing, funding, and supporting terrorism against said enemy will not defeat terrorism, it will only create more. Enjoy.
 

2Xtreme21

Diamond Member
Jun 13, 2004
7,044
0
0
Originally posted by: palehorse
I hate to state the obvious, but...

1) They are a very committed and effective ally in the global war against terrorism.

2) They are the lone democratic nation in a region of high strategic value that is otherwise dominated by authoritarian regimes -- many of which directly support or have ties to the terrorists mentioned in item #1.

1) Israel provides no help in Iraq.. "the center of the war on terror." Sounds like you have 2 things to explain.

2) Iran's democratic regime was toppled by the US. Saudi Arabia's absolute monarchy is a huge friend of the US. The Palestinian democracy is a hated enemy. The Syrian democracy is in the "axis of evil."

Gee, logic sure SUCKS, doesn't it?
 

Mxylplyx

Diamond Member
Mar 21, 2007
4,197
101
106
Knowing that if Israel were weak and overtaken by it's neighbors, each man, woman, and child in Israel would be slaughtered and thrown into the sea is reason enough to support them. Israel is an island of civility in a sea of barbarians. It's easy to sit in our cozy, secure homes and criticize the methods Israel employs to protect it's citizens. Last time another country directly attacked us, we dropped two nuclear bombs on them, and thats probably because we only had two available. Israel often shows far more restraint than it should, it's just a shame that civilians have to get caught in the cross fire.
 

SickBeast

Lifer
Jul 21, 2000
14,377
19
81
Originally posted by: manowar821
Bullshit. All of it.

I don't care, and I never will. This enemy you all speak of is a product of our neglect and abuse of other nations and a sickening foreign policy. Committing, funding, and supporting terrorism against said enemy will not defeat terrorism, it will only create more. Enjoy.

I agree with you to a point.

That said, have you not seen the videos of Hamas? These guys are NUTS.

Obviously the world has not done things correctly WRT Israel up until now, otherwise the region would have been peaceful since its inception.

I honestly question why they chose that location for the Jews after WW2; it just doesn't make any logical sense. The world should have taken them in as refugees. Now we're stuck with this mess. I know if I lived in Israel, I would leave. Those guys are too crazy. In a sense I support killing them, but as you said, the problem is that it will piss them off even more, and will lead to a bigger problem. It's a messed up situation. I don't think soldiers from North America belong there, for sure.
 

manowar821

Diamond Member
Mar 1, 2007
6,063
0
0
Originally posted by: SickBeast
Originally posted by: manowar821
Bullshit. All of it.

I don't care, and I never will. This enemy you all speak of is a product of our neglect and abuse of other nations and a sickening foreign policy. Committing, funding, and supporting terrorism against said enemy will not defeat terrorism, it will only create more. Enjoy.

I agree with you to a point.

That said, have you not seen the videos of Hamas? These guys are NUTS.

Obviously the world has not done things correctly WRT Israel up until now, otherwise the region would have been peaceful since its inception.

I honestly question why they chose that location for the Jews after WW2; it just doesn't make any logical sense. The world should have taken them in as refugees. Now we're stuck with this mess. I know if I lived in Israel, I would leave. Those guys are too crazy. In a sense I support killing them, but as you said, the problem is that it will piss them off even more, and will lead to a bigger problem. It's a messed up situation. I don't think soldiers from North America belong there, for sure.

You said what I feel far more eloquently than I could... What you said is all I really mean by my post.
 

yllus

Elite Member & Lifer
Aug 20, 2000
20,577
432
126
They're probably extremely valuable in intelligence matters in the Middle East. I imagine that the CIA and U.S. military keeps close relations with Mossad and utilizes their intelligence assets whenever possible.
 

RichardE

Banned
Dec 31, 2005
10,246
2
0
Originally posted by: manowar821
Bullshit. All of it.

I don't care, and I never will. This enemy you all speak of is a product of our neglect and abuse of other nations and a sickening foreign policy. Committing, funding, and supporting terrorism against said enemy will not defeat terrorism, it will only create more. Enjoy.

You are right, except the enemy has been the same to the "west" for milenia, be it the Arabs,the Persians or more recently the Muslims. The only difference is the west adapted its religion for modern times of evolution and the Arabs have not, so we have better weapons now. To think that this is a 'recent' conflict is ignorant of the history of east versus west, its not just a "catchphrase".



As to the op

Besides the obvious economic benefits the US also obtains the benefits of having a foothold and a friendly nation so close to our enemies borders. Until the US becomes oil independant having a nation so close to the oil allies is of significant importance. As it stands with Israel and Saudi Arabia as well as Turkey to an extend the US has a major presence in most parts of the world, something that enables the average American and European to continue there way of life and expand on it.

Sure the violence is brutal, but war always is. The average people fight for religion and even some of the elite do as well if they truly believe it, but Arab leaders cannot go against the wishes of there fanactics without a good chance of assassination due to the nature of the people of these nations. As such, until the people change these countries will always be a threat and due to that having a few friendly nations for a lost cost is a major cost benefit. The arabs don't want to be our friends, stabbing a friend in the back to have a chance to be a friend with our enemy is a easy way to come to ruin.
 

DealMonkey

Lifer
Nov 25, 2001
13,136
1
0
Originally posted by: ironwing
The US spends approximately $3 billion/year on taxpayer-funded direct aid to Israel (loans with repayment waivers*) plus an additional $1 billion/year in private donations. In addition, the US has provided loan guarantees (real loans with the expectation of repayment) to Israel.

What are the practical benefits to the US for providing this aid and for providing political support to Israel? Here are a couple I've come up with. Please add your own.

Trade:
Israel and the US exchange about $30 billion/year in goods and services placing Israel roughly in the #20 spot for US trade partners with approximately 1% of total US international trade. Edit: The US runs about a $0.5 billion/yr trade deficit with Israel, as we run trade deficits with almost everybody.

Military and civilian technology development:
The US and Israel cooperate on some weapons system development as well as cooperation in research for non-military technologicl development.


* http://fpc.state.gov/documents/organization/47088.pdf

We have to pay our trading partners to be our trading partners? Excuse me? How's that a benefit? They should want to trade with us for free. Seriously.

You should have made this a pro/con comparison thread, that would have been more interesting.