|
Trending Topics
|
$14 Billion U.S. Aid Package for Israel Crafted for Multi-Front War
(JTA) Ron Kampeas - The U.S. Senate last week approved $14 billion in wartime foreign aid to Israel. It still must be approved by the House. The Israeli aid is more than three times the $3.8 billion the U.S. allocates to Israel in a normal year. Israeli defense specialists say a lot of the funding is targeted toward replenishing weapons stockpiles - as well as helping Israel prepare for a potential future fight against Hizbullah. A senior Biden administration official told JTA, "This is for Israel to defend itself in a multi-front war and to be sure it can deter a multi-front war." $5.2 billion is for missile defense systems, including $4 billion for short-range missiles for Israel's Iron Dome. $1.2 billion is for the Iron Beam laser antimissile system that is still in development To enable Israel's strikes to be more targeted, $801.4 million is for precision weapons. Israel used money from its annual U.S. aid to pay for wartime munitions, such as Iron Dome. Israel would use $3.5 billion in new funds to return to its priorities, including the modernization of F-15 and F-35 aircraft. $4 billion goes to restocking weapons the U.S. keeps stockpiled in the region. These stocks have been depleted after President Biden allowed Israel to access them. This allocation makes sure the U.S. has the "readiness to respond to any emergencies," the official said. The bill is said to include $2 billion for Palestinians' humanitarian needs. The bill bans any aid from reaching UNRWA, which Israel says acts in collusion with Hamas, and will be channeled through nonprofit organizations and international aid groups.