yahoo.com-——Biden’s recent meeting in Israel-— Report
Biden told Netanyahu he would offer support and he expected Israel to prioritize protection of civilians and humanitarian concerns.
Biden formally announced the already-arranged deal to allow humanitarian assistance to move into Gaza from Egypt, and $100 million in new aid for those in need among Palestinians in Gaza and the West Bank.......which was hammered w/ Israel in Washington BEFORE Biden left.
Biden also announced that later this week he would go to the Congress with a military support package for Israel of “unprecedented size.”
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Backstory: Since 1973, Israel has received more than $120 billion US tax
dollars in military assistance, including “three special aid” packages.
<><>billions for signing the Israel-Egypt peace treaty
<><>billions for Israel’s withdrawal from the Sinai.
<><>billions for redeployment of Israeli forces
<><>rebuilding Israeli air bases in the Negev cost $5 billion.
Congressional Research Service
US Foreign aid to Israel
60 page detailed report
https://crsreports.congress.gov/product/pdf/RL/RL33222/44
The concerned Israeli lobby made sure Congress is required by law to ensure that U.S. military aid in the Middle East region doesn’t damage Israel’s military superiority over its neighbors. That requirement enjoys broad bipartisan support and has served as a benchmark for ensuring Israel receives robust U.S. support.
abcnews.go.com
ByAnne Flaherty, Benjamin Siegel, and Allison Pecorin
October 17, 2023, 11:22 PM
Biden drafts $100 billion foreign aid package, including money for Israel and Ukraine
The hefty proposal, still in the works, is expected to benefit mostly Ukraine.
Details on the spending request were still being finalized ahead of an official request sent by the WH
The Biden administration is drafting a $100 billion foreign aid package that includes assistance for Israel as well as other top security priorities, according to two people familiar with the details.
Details on the spending request were still being finalized ahead of an official request sent by the White House to Congress this week.
One person told ABC News that the “bulk” of the assistance will likely go toward Ukraine, while others also said that it included $10 billion for Israel. The officials spoke on condition of anonymity in order to discuss details that hadn’t been announced yet by the White House.
PHOTO: President Joe Biden speaks at a roundtable with Jewish community leaders in the Indian Treaty Room of the White House on October 11, 2023 / Brendan Smialowski/AFP via Getty Images
The request comes as President Joe Biden travels to Israel in a show of unity with the Jewish state following the brutal Oct. 7 attack on civilians by Hamas terrorists from Gaza.
On Capitol Hill, Senate leaders suggested Tuesday that such a sweeping aid package would find support among lawmakers.
“We’d like to get the supplemental package moved as quickly as possible because the needs are great in both Israel and Ukraine,” said Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer of New York.
Republican Leader Mitch McConnell said he would support bundling aid for Ukraine and Israel and that he expects the administration to include money for border security, too.
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