Public Comment

In yet another gesture of capitulation to Israeli demands, the Obama administration has proposed an unprecedented military funding package that could top $40 billion over 10 years. In a stunning admission, the former Israeli Defense Force (IDF) Commander-in-Chief, Gabi Ashkenazi stated that “U.S. taxpayers have contributed more to the Israeli defense budget than Israeli taxpayers in the past three years.” According to Rand Paul, “Israel’s per capita income is greater than three-fourths of the rest of the world.” Its economy is booming and is destined for even greater prosperity from its discovery of natural gas. On the home front, there is mounting disillusionment that our country’s domestic and foreign policies have been misguided and trillions squandered with failing alliances and never ending conflicts.  

This anger has fueled both the Sanders and Trump campaigns. With trillions of debt accumulating for future generations of Americans, we continue to send billions of our tax money to reward Israel for its decades long occupation, demolition of Palestinian homes and the construction of hundreds of illegal settlements. More and more influential voices both in Israel and at home are calling for an end to military aid to Israel. Continuation of such aid will only embolden Israel to continue its current policies of oppression and occupation and doom any hope of a lasting peace with the Palestinians.