And the Middle East gets worse

[wood]

Sounds like they would be nothing without us, guess we better start the draft now and save everyone the hassle.

See you guys over there.

[TraceZ]

We didn't give it to them. They bought it.

Nah, we gave it to them man. You have to understand, Isreal is not economically self sufficient. They survive mostly on support from the US. Since 1973, Israel has cost the United States about $1.6 trillion. If divided by today's population, that is more than $5,400 for every man, woman and child in the US. Israel is the largest recipient of US foreign aid. We send more foreign aid to Isreal than all other countries combined. It received $2.04 billion in military assistance and $720 million in economic aid in fiscal 2003. It has been getting $3 billion a year for years.

Believe me, we gave them the weapons for free.

[Black97]

That's what happens when you have a lot of jews contributing a lot of money into US politics!

[TraceZ]

That's what happens when you have a lot of jews contributing a lot of money into US politics!

Yup. So True.

[Jeff_in_Atl]

Nah, we gave it to them man. You have to understand, Isreal is not economically self sufficient. They survive mostly on support from the US. Since 1973, Israel has cost the United States about $1.6 trillion. If divided by today's population, that is more than $5,400 for every man, woman and child in the US. Israel is the largest recipient of US foreign aid. We send more foreign aid to Isreal than all other countries combined. It received $2.04 billion in military assistance and $720 million in economic aid in fiscal 2003. It has been getting $3 billion a year for years.

Believe me, we gave them the weapons for free.

A job I worked on about 5 years ago was for the IDF. The US gave Israel money but that money had to spent in the US. The original contract was $10.8m but they asked for more stuff and it ended up a lot more than that. So at least some of the money the US gives them directly benefits US companies and their workers namely me.

We used to use a company in Israel that makes positioners. We tried a few other companies but theirs were the best. Sine then we have bought a company that builds positioners so we make them ourselves now.

[TraceZ]

A job I worked on about 5 years ago was for the IDF. The US gave Israel money but that money had to spent in the US. The original contract was $10.8m but they asked for more stuff and it ended up a lot more than that. So at least some of the money the US gives them directly benefits US companies and their workers namely me.

We used to use a company in Israel that makes positioners. We tried a few other companies but theirs were the best. Sine then we have bought a company that builds positioners so we make them ourselves now.

Sure, some of the money we give Israel filters back to US owned businesses, but the fact of the matter is that without the US, Israel would cease to exist... And in a hurry. Israel is basically a US Welfare state. It's nice of us to support them, isnt it.

The population of Israel is 6,276,883 people. We give them $3 billion in aid per year. That comes to $478.00 per year for every man woman and child in Israel.

[wood]

Do you think that has anything to do with the fact that Christianity is the primary religion in the United States and that the Jews are Gods chosen people?

We might just be protecting them from the muslims.

[ryan34]

Well since the muslim extremist would likely execute all the jews, i say we have a small resposibility to isrealy.....plus wasn't it the allies after wwII that created isreal?

[fastTa]

Hezbollah, "The Party of God." Seems almost ironically acrimonious doesn't it.

Yes, the US has a great interest in fully backing Israel for a very good reason. Religious implications definitely play a role in our support for Israel. Then you have the unwaivering support from neo-conservatives post WWII, who from that time, formed very strong opinions involving the US and pre-emptive strikes against known terrorist countries.

Hezbollah is directly supported and funded by Iran and Syria....well know terroist countries. Israel is an ally and has been for a long time. It is in our best interest to stand by the side of our allies and give them the support they need to pro-actively fight terrorism.

The Arab's refer to these terrorist uprisings as "Intifada". It directly translates as "shaking off." The Palenstenians would have the Middle East believe that their "Intifada" efforts are no more than a libertion against foreign occupation. In reality it is nothing less than a ruthless terrorist campaign.

Often times America also acts as the sole veto amongst the UNSC protecting Israel from itself even when Israel is wrong. This also hopefully ensures that Israel takes responsibility for it's actions when it makes a bad decision.

The price of oil ain't taking to kindly to this "little" skirmish either. The market is also in a slight down trend right now, but I feel that it is nothing to worry about. Down trends like this usually spur buying and that will stregthen the future of the market.

[MarkFL]

not meaning any disrespect, but...

when you go about telling everyone you are the chosen people of God, you gotta expect some animosity...perhaps even millenia of it.

oh and don't get me wrong...I'm not defending Muslims at all...far from it, trust me. As far as religion goes, they all look pretty much the same to me.

just seems like if there are gonna be several groups that know their God is the one true God, and all others are infidels, heathens, or otherwise unworthy of redemption, there's gonna hafta be trouble.

[Jeff_in_Atl]

not meaning any disrespect, but...

when you go about telling everyone you are the chosen people of God, you gotta expect some animosity...perhaps even millenia of it.

Animosity is one thing. Blowing up innocent people is another.

[Steel2686]

We support Isreal the way we do because they are the only TRUE ally we have in the Middle East. Isreal needs us, but it doesn't hurt having them over there either. Sure, Saudi Arabia is considered an ally, but do you trust them? I don't.

Having the 4th largest military located over there, all funded by us for the most part, is probably a big reason we haven't been attacked on a military front.

[Rhode Island Red]

? for all of us to ponder.. "How can you have peace with people who want to totally annihilate you and erase you from existence because they feel it is the religious duty?"

If you can answer that, please tell hezbolah and the other fanatical whacko's

[Black97]

I "hate" to harp on about this. The religion factor may have a little to do with itbut at the end it is all the influential jews with money in US politics and public live that "ensure" that Israel is being supported by the US.

You don't cut the people off that sponser your next election!

[Jeff_in_Atl]

I "hate" to harp on about this. The religion factor may have a little to do with itbut at the end it is all the influential jews with money in US politics and public live that "ensure" that Israel is being supported by the US.

You don't cut the people off that sponser your next election!

Do you have any proof of that?