March 10, 2003
Letter to Senators Warner and Allen and Representative Moran
James Landrith
PO Box 8208
Alexandria, VA 22306-8208
March 10, 2003
The Honorable John William Warner
United States Senate
225 Russell Senate Office Building
Washington, DC 20510-4601
The Honorable George F. Allen
United States Senate
204 Russell Senate Office Building
Washington, DC 20510-4604
The Honorable James P. Moran
U.S House of Representatives
2239 Rayburn House Office Building
Washington, DC 20515-4608
Dear Senators Warner and Allen and Representative Moran:
I am writing to urge you to deny Prime Minister Ariel Sharon’s request for $12 billion in additional U.S. aid and loan guarantees for Israel. Considering our nation’s own economic difficulties, the first priority of Congress should be to help Americans, many of whom are struggling to make financial ends meet. In addition, approving such a massive increase in U.S. spending for Israel would fail to account for the long-term political and U.S. strategic implications for our national interests if the U.S. appears to be uncritically supporting hard-line Israeli policies at this critical time in the region.
Please consider the following points as you deliberate Israel’s request when it comes before Congress:
At a time when the Bush Administration is resorting to tax cuts to stimulate the American economy and with the unemployment rate expected to remain at an eight-year high of 6 percent for the foreseeable future, our national priority should be first and foremost to secure the economic well-being of American citizens.
On December 5, 2002, White House spokesman Ari Fleisher downplayed CBO predictions of $900 billion annual deficits by the year 2012. Fleisher told reporters that the Administration’s plan for permanent extension of a $1.35 trillion tax cut is not in jeopardy as long as U.S. Government spending does not increase. He said, “The risk to the deficit comes from spending.” Therefore, Israel’s request should be denied because it would increase the U.S. deficit and jeopardize the Administration’s plans for economic recovery.
Israel already receives over $3 billion annually in military and economic assistance from the U.S. Government. It is the largest recipient of U.S. foreign aid, despite the fact that 200 countries and territories are poorer than Israel. While Israelis are earning approximately $18,000 per capita per year, the income of millions of Americans falls well below this level.
No U.S. foreign assistance should be provided to any country as a “blank check” without conditions. All U.S. assistance to Israel, including the $3 billion in annual aid, should be conditioned on the Israeli Government enforcing a total freeze on illegal Israeli settlement activity in occupied Palestinian territories, as repeatedly requested by the U.S. Government. The Sharon Government must help itself by taking significant and tangible risks for peace with the Palestinians.
In 1998, Israel proposed a ten-year plan to phase-out U.S. economic assistance while increasing military assistance by $60 million per year. The U.S. and Israel subsequently signed a “Memorandum of Understanding” (MOU) setting this phase-down of U.S. aid in place. Granting Israel’s request for $12 billion in additional aid violates this agreement and makes a mockery of Israel’s commitment to lower its dependence on American aid.
It is not the responsibility of the American taxpayer to rescue the Israeli Government from its economic difficulties. Israel needs to make its own hard economic choices and adopt spending reductions to address its economic crisis. This is what the American people have to do, and that is also the reality Israel has to face.
I urge you to put American interests first. Please, turn down the Israeli request for $12 billion in additional U.S. tax dollars.
Sincerely,
James Landrith
March 19, 2003
Mr. James Landrith
PO Box 8208
Alexandria, Virginia 22306
Dear Mr. Landrith:
Thank you for contacting my office regarding U.S. foreign assistance to Israel. I appreciate having the benefit of your views.
As you may know, the administration is considering the Israeli government’s request of additional U.S. foreign assistance. At this time, the president has not submitted a formal supplemental appropriations request to Congress for consideration. The United States and Israel have a historic and strategic partnership. As a member of the House Appropriations Committee, please be assured that I will keep your thoughts in mind as Congress considers U.S. foreign assistance for Israel.
Thank you for contacting me on this issue. I invite you to visit my website at http://www.house.gov/moran which contains information on topics which may be of interest to you.
Yours truly,
Janes P. Moran
JPM/jp
May 6, 2003
Mr. James Landrith
P.O. Box 8208
Alexandria, Virginia 22306-8208
Dear Mr. Landrith:
Thank you for your letter regarding U.S. foreign aid to Israel. I appreciate hearing your views on this matter.
As you may know, the FY2002 Foreign Appropriations Bill included $2.7 billion in aid for Israel. More specifically, the bill included $720 million in economic grants, and $2.04 billion in military aid. The President signed this bill on January 10, 2002. Furthermore, Israel received an additional $28 million in counter terrorism funds in FY2002. The FY2003 Foreign Appropriations Bill, which was signed by President Bush on February 10, 2003, provided Israel with $2.7 billion for regular economic and military aid. On April 16, 2003, President Bush signed the FY2003 Supplemental Appropriations which included $1 billion in military aid for Israel, and $9 billion in loan guarantees.
Since the establishment of the State of Israel, there has been widespread turmoil in the Middle East as a result of both religious and ideological differences between the Israelis, the Palestinians, and other regional neighbors. Tensions in the troubled area have boiled over repeatedly, resulting in the tragic deaths of hundreds of Palestinians and Israelis. I am deeply concerned that if the fighting and violence is not stopped, the crisis in the Middle East could well spread to other countries, potentially destabilizing the entire region.
On June 24, 2002, President Bush gave a comprehensive statement on American foreign policy in the Middle East, stating “when the Palestinian people have new leaders, new institutions and new security arrangements with their neighbors, the United States of America will support the creation of a Palestinian state….” Similarly, the President went on to state that “…Israeli settlement activity in the occupied territories must stop.” On March 14, 2003, President Bush announced the creation of a “road map” that sets forth a sequence of steps toward the objectives outlined in June, and the goals shared by all the parties. I stand squarely behind the President and Secretary Powell in support of the steps they are taking, together with other nations, to bring about a lasting peace in the region.
Stability in the Middle East is essential to global security. Both sides in this ongoing conflict must work to reverse this dramatic increase in violence in order to facilitate a peaceful resolution. We must continue to support the security of Israel while, at the same time, working with all responsible nations, including our Arab friends, to protect the rights of the Palestinian people.
I am mindful of your concerns about this crisis, as well as mindful of the need to engage all partners in the region in constructive dialogue. It is only through such dialogue that we will see constructive change in the region, leading to lasting peace.
Please be assured that I will keep your comments in mind should any relevant legislation pertaining to additional aid to Israel come before the full Senate. Again, thank you for sharing your thoughts and concerns with me. Should you be in need of any further assistance, please do not hesitate to contact me.
With kind regards, I am
Sincerely,
John Warner
JW/wpb