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US "Invests In Peace" In Israel Via $30B Arms Deal
Posted by Pile
(10263 views)      [E-Mail link]
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 US Undersecretary of State Nicholas Burns has signed a deal that will provide Israel with $30bn of military aid over the next 10 years.
The Israeli prime minister, Ehud Olmert, has said the aid will preserve his country's military advantage over other countries in the Middle East [while being the pawn in an elaborate kickback scheme to politically-connected American companies who profit from the Middle Eastern conflict.] |
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The new military aid package represents a 25% increase from present levels.
The US announced multi-billion-dollar arms deals with Saudi Arabia, Egypt, and other Gulf states last month.
Washington says it wants to help its allies in the Middle East meet their security needs and counter the growing power of Iran in the region.
Mr Burns and Israeli Foreign Ministry Director-General Aharon Abramovitz signed the memorandum of understanding on the new aid package at a ceremony in Jerusalem.
Mr Burns called the aid package an "investment in peace", saying "peace cannot be made without strength".
"Needless to say, given Israel's predicament, living in a region that is very violent and unstable, its military edge is of interest to our country, and we've committed to that," he said.
The money must be used to purchase military equipment from the US defence industry, although Israel will also be permitted to use 26.3% to buy equipment from local companies.
The arrangement requires Congressional approval, but Mr Burns said he thought there would be little opposition, the Associated Press news agency reported. |
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