DR. ASLAM ABDULLAH analyses the ever growing US aid to Israel and points out the impact of Christian evangelical groups in US foreign policy pertaining to the Middle East as the most important yet neglected factor behind it.
US military aid to Israel not only passed unnoticed through the passage of the 2011 budget, but reached the record level of $3 billion.
Israel receives some 30 per cent of the total US foreign aid which renders it to the largest recipient of US aid in the world. The aid started in 1948 and has gradually increased over the years. The purpose as stated in the official documents is to promote American interests in the Middle East.
However, many critics say that the US aid to Israel is disproportionate to Israel’s size and needs. It supports, sustains and promotes illegal occupation of Palestinian land in order to establish settlements for Jewish immigrants. It transforms Palestine into a military test ground and violates US law and promotes human rights abuses.
Since World War II until 2006 Israel received more than $156 billion of direct US aid.
Until 2003, Israel received approximately one-third of the annual US foreign aid budget. In 2005, the US gave Israel more than $2.6 billion in aid, a budget exceeded only by US aid to Iraq. By comparison, Jordan received $683.6 million, Rwanda received $77 million, and the Occupied Palestinian Territories received $348.2 million.
The US also lends money to Israel, but these loans are frequently waived before any repayments are made. The Washington Report on Middle East Affairs has estimated that from 1974-2003 Israel benefited from more than $45 billion in waived loans from the US. Thus the total cost of an Israeli for US taxpayer is approximately 23,000. It is ironic that the US Congress recently cut many social welfare programme making more than 20 million citizens vulnerable to homelessness and poverty, while catering to the needs of Israel.
Why is that so? Are the facts not revealing? There are several factors. The Israeli lobby is very strong in Washington and it can cause havoc with Congressional candidates if its demands for Israel are not meant. The military-industrial complex is happy with the status quo as it helps it promote its arms sale in the Middle East and keep its military presence in the name of regional stability. Thirdly, the Jewish community in the US is very powerful and resourceful. Its supporters occupy important position in the US administration and they ensure that Israeli interests are not harmed in any way.
However, one main reason that has been neglected by social scientists, political pundits and policy analysts is the impact of Christian evangelical groups in US foreign policy pertaining to the Middle East. Regardless of what the Congress officials say and what the president may claim, the fact is that most Congressional members are influenced by the theology of one of the most powerful religious groups in the world.
Christian evangelists claim to have some 80 million supporters in a country of 315 million. Most of them are white and usually support the Republicans or Democrats who speak their language. They believe that the empowerment of Israel is paramount to Christianity. Without Jews coming together in Israel to create Greater Israel from the Niles to Euphrates, the return of Jesus would remain incomplete. They argue that the return of Jesus is predicted in the Bible as he would establish the kingdom of God on earth by eliminating all who do not accept him as the saviour. However, his wrath would be felt initially by Jews whose two-thirds will be eliminated and the rest converted. In fact, this theology of complete annihilation of a faith is propagated in the name of Jesus by hundreds of evangelist groups that have strong political muscles. The Jewish organisations realise the true nature of the evangelist organisation, but they rely on the current support of these groups for political and military purposes. Without the evangelist support, the pro-Israeli lobby in Washington would be real effective.
People who have these religious beliefs are found in all departments of the US Administration, including CIA, FBI, Pentagon, State Department and Congress. The appearance of many retired army generals, officials on the evangelical television of Pat Robertson is a testimony of the reality.
In addition to several political and economic interests, the religious interests of a highly sophisticated and active evangelist lobby explain the reason for continued financial aid to Israel.