How US aid to 'Israel' pours into US interests: The Conversation
4 Min Read
While US officials preach empty words regarding the humanitarian crisis in Gaza, the US continues to fuel "Israel" with aid, and here's why.
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President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris speak about their administration's efforts to lower prescription drug costs during an event at Prince George's Community College in Largo, Md., on August 15, 2024. (AP)
An interview conducted by The Conversation sheds light on the US relationship with "Israel" and why an arms embargo is not possible.
In a discussion with Dov Waxman, a scholar of Israeli studies, The Conversation explored whether the current US Vice President might support calls for an arms embargo on "Israel".
"I do not think she will agree with those calling for an arms embargo on Israel," Waxman said.
He explained that Harris was always a supporter of US military aid to "Israel", which is a position most Democrats and Republicans take.
According to Waxman, critics of US military aid to "Israel" frequently argue that this support is driven solely by domestic politics and the influence of the pro-"Israel" lobby, particularly AIPAC. Waxman describes this perspective as narrow and overstating the power of the pro-"Israel" lobby while overlooking the fact that the US has its own economic and strategic interests in providing this aid.
He emphasizes that military support for "Israel" aligns with US national interests, not merely a favor to "Israel", which is why there is broad bipartisan support for its continuation.
However, if not an embargo, then the US could can put restrictions on the military aid, he added.
How does the US benefit from sending military aid to 'Israel'?
Waxman explained to The Conversation that US military aid to "Israel" is largely spent on US-made weapons, similar to US aid to countries like Ukraine. That said, the Israeli occupation government does not keep the funds; they are used to purchase US military equipment, he added.
What Waxman is saying is that all the money the US floods into "Israel" flows back into the US.
On that note, US aid to "Israel" didn't start after Operation Al-Aqsa Flood, as it has been going on for as long as anyone can remember. Waxman details that the US has provided "Israel" with over $300 billion in aid since the occupation of Palestine. In detail, initially, for the first decade following the occupation of Palestine, the US provided "Israel" with only economic aid, Waxman details, however, starting in the 1960s during the Kennedy administration, it began providing military aid as well.
The US now gives only military aid to "Israel", the scholar says, stressing that it is not merely a favor but serves strategic US interests.
According to him, the funds are largely used to purchase American-made weapons, aligning with US economic and military interests, which is why military aid to "Israel" has continued under both Democratic and Republican administrations.
How does US aid to 'Israel' serve US national interests?
Waxman told The Conversation that the US believes a militarily strong "Israel" would serve the US interests in countering their common enemies.
In a reference to the Cold War, he explained that "Israel" played a role in containing what the US described as "Soviet influence in the Middle East."
In recent years, Waxman cited "Israel" and the US efforts to counter Iran's influence in the region and to slow down its nuclear program as an example. Despite disagreements over tactics, such as the 2015 nuclear deal, both allies view Iran's growing power as a significant threat to US interests and regional stability.
Ultimately, this reveals that the US statements have been empty regarding the Gaza Strip since funding "Israel" stands as a US interest.
