Lies, Damned lies and Statistics.
A recent perspectives paper from the BESA Center gives surprising insight into the frequently heard claim that Israel is the leading recipient of US aid.
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY: Many American detractors of Israel begin by citing that Israel receives the lion’s share of US military aid. The very suggestion conjures the demon of an all-powerful Israel lobby that has turned the US Congress into its pawn. But these figures, while reflecting official direct US military aid, are almost meaningless in comparison to the real costs and benefits of US military aid – above all, American boots on the ground. In reality, Israel receives only a small fraction of American military aid, and most of that was spent in the US to the benefit of the American economy.
Countless articles discrediting Israel (as well as many other better-intentioned articles) ask how it is that a country as small as Israel receives the bulk of US military aid. Israel receives 55%, or $US3.1 billion per year, followed by Egypt, which receives 23%. This largesse comes at the expense, so it is claimed, of other equal or more important allies, such as Germany, Japan, and South Korea. The complaint conjures the specter of an all-powerful Israel lobby that has turned the US Congress into its pawn.
The response to the charge is simple: Israel is not even a major beneficiary of American military aid. The numerical figure reflects official direct US military aid, but is almost meaningless compared to the real costs and benefits of US military aid – which include, above all, American boots on the ground in the host states.
According to America Unniversity's Prof.David Vine, the 150,500 American troops stationed in seventy countries around the globe costs the American taxpayer an annual $ US 85-100 billion. 800-1,000 American soldiers stationed abroad represent US$565-665 million of aid to the country in which they are located.
Using the Vine formula:
Japan’s US military aid package is nine times larger than that of Israel.
Germany’s US Military aid package is seven times larger than that of Israel.
Italy’s US Military aid package is twice times larger than that of Israel.
From the Elder of Ziyon:
A recent perspectives paper from the BESA Center gives surprising insight into the frequently heard claim that Israel is the leading recipient of US aid.
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY: Many American detractors of Israel begin by citing that Israel receives the lion’s share of US military aid. The very suggestion conjures the demon of an all-powerful Israel lobby that has turned the US Congress into its pawn. But these figures, while reflecting official direct US military aid, are almost meaningless in comparison to the real costs and benefits of US military aid – above all, American boots on the ground. In reality, Israel receives only a small fraction of American military aid, and most of that was spent in the US to the benefit of the American economy.
Countless articles discrediting Israel (as well as many other better-intentioned articles) ask how it is that a country as small as Israel receives the bulk of US military aid. Israel receives 55%, or $US3.1 billion per year, followed by Egypt, which receives 23%. This largesse comes at the expense, so it is claimed, of other equal or more important allies, such as Germany, Japan, and South Korea. The complaint conjures the specter of an all-powerful Israel lobby that has turned the US Congress into its pawn.
The response to the charge is simple: Israel is not even a major beneficiary of American military aid. The numerical figure reflects official direct US military aid, but is almost meaningless compared to the real costs and benefits of US military aid – which include, above all, American boots on the ground in the host states.
According to America Unniversity's Prof.David Vine, the 150,500 American troops stationed in seventy countries around the globe costs the American taxpayer an annual $ US 85-100 billion. 800-1,000 American soldiers stationed abroad represent US$565-665 million of aid to the country in which they are located.
Using the Vine formula:
Japan’s US military aid package is nine times larger than that of Israel.
Germany’s US Military aid package is seven times larger than that of Israel.
Italy’s US Military aid package is twice times larger than that of Israel.
From the Elder of Ziyon:
Keeping in mind that 75 % of the US military aid to Israel never leaves the US and benefits the US economy with thousands of American jobs, US military aid to Israel remains a bargain.
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