By Charley Reese
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? |
