Israel. The Middle East's only democracy. A land of freedom amongst tyranny. All true statements if you're Jewish, but not Palestinian. We now learn that Israel has asked the US for extra aid to fund the Gaza "disengagement". A journalist colleague in Switzerland tells me that an article appeared in the Hebrew version of Haaretz newspaper stating Israel will ask for US$1.6 billion as financial aid for the Gaza disengagement. It will be asked in the first phase for US$ 600 million for transferring military bases. The second request of over US$ 1 billion will be for the development of the Negev and the Galilee. These figures were negotiated during the recent meeting between George W. Bush and Ariel Sharon.
The English language version of the article is decidedly lacking in details.
These developments once more begs the questions (and mirror statements I heard during my recent travels in the Middle East): is Israel little more than a convenient (for the US), dependent, colonial outpost in the Middle East, and do the American people, from whose tax dollars these loans are coming, truly understand the amount of financial support Israel is receiving?
The English language version of the article is decidedly lacking in details.
These developments once more begs the questions (and mirror statements I heard during my recent travels in the Middle East): is Israel little more than a convenient (for the US), dependent, colonial outpost in the Middle East, and do the American people, from whose tax dollars these loans are coming, truly understand the amount of financial support Israel is receiving?
6 Comments:
Thanks for your comments.
First, Haaretz. I'm getting increasing amounts of info that suggests massive differences between the Hebrew and English editions. To use in the West, we stupidly believe that the newspaper is liberal and progressive (which, in terms of Israel's mainstream press, it is, relatively), but many more disturbing details are not translated into English. The reasons for this are telling. I'm informed that right-wingers are increasingly taking the reigns at the paper.
In terms of mainstream coverage on other important issues, it seems we can no longer rely on corporate media to ask and report the big issues and questions. For example, how the hell is it simply accepted that Israel has nuclear weapons, but Iran is not allowed. How about a nuclear free region, people?
And perhaps most importantly, the true role of America in the movers and shakers in the Middle East is frequently hidden. Can you imagine if people actually knew who America is arming and funding?
What do you mean, not true if you're Palestinian (an artificial construct, by the way, if there ever was one). Until the Iraqi elections, Arab citizens of Israel, of which there are a fair few number, were the only Arabs in that part of the world who had the opportunity to vote for their own leaders!
If I can engage the question a bit more, Antony, are there other countries whom you think receive too much foreign aid, or is it just Israel?
If you can't even accept Palestinians as people, then you're delusional. Surely we've moved past that?
Secondly, the issue of foreign aid is not just about Israel, but also countries like Egypt, Indonesia, the list goes on. For example, we recently learnt that Aussie aid to Indo is quite possibly being spent on military hardware to oppress West Papua. Accountabiliy is the key and I reckon people want to know where their money is being spent.
OK, fair enough -- all I meant to suggest was that "Palestinian" was a fairly new construct, not that those who claim the mantle are less than human. (Also interesting, as an aside, that in terms of aid, just about the only aid their Arab brethren have seen fit to give them is money to push on with an incredibly wasteful and destructive intifada...)
On the question of nuclear weapons, though, the difference between Israel and Iran should surely be plain as day, yes?
'all I meant to suggest was that "Palestinian" was a fairly new construct'
And 'Israeli' isn't?
You consider four or five thousand years a short time, Glenn?
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