It’s simple. It’s the ultimate leverage. If the Biden administration was serious about a cease-fire they could have one. Some geopolitical negotiations are extremely complex, not this one.
@TenaciousVicunaDemocrat3mos3MO
the Israeli defense budget is about $25B a year, with the U.S. providing about $4B of that in purchase subsidies in the U.S. So no, halting defense aid will not promote a peaceful solution. Unfortunately there is nothing “simple” about this conflict. Simplistic solutions, especially those that hint at disengagement, are unhelpful and damaging. There needs to be a thorough process that shows to both peoples in the region a path towards peace. Unfortunately, this is not simple and needs intensive engagement by the U.S., which is the opposite of what you seem to suggest.
@L3ftLeaningDukeGreen3mos3MO
Hard to negotiate with a man who has a firm “no” to any and all plans. Bibi wants it all and refuses to compromise in any way. So what is the plan to deal with that?
@OptimisticKnowledgeDemocrat3mos3MO
16% = $4B/$25B? That is not insignificant to me.
Besides, the money would be much better spent on the Ukraine, a far more worthy confederate.
@FluentZealousWorking Family3mos3MO
More than the financial support it’s the trade and intangibles that Israel needs from US.
If US does not supply military equipment, arms, and ammunition, Israel’s assault on the Palestinian Territories will grind to a halt soon enough.
Also, if US pulls the diplomatic cover that it provides Israel, it will become a pariah like Russia, Iran, and North Korea. Israel is already a target for the BDS movement and without US protection, the movement will squeeze Israel’s economy to yes, another grinding halt.
Not sure why everyone thinks Israel can survive without US. Every border… Read more
@DemocracyPenelopeDemocrat3mos3MO
"If the Biden administration was serious about a cease-fire they could have one."
Even simpler, if the Palestinians wanted a cease fire they could have one, they just need to stop fighting. They could also just release the hostages.
The Palestinians have options, Israel only has one, obtained the release of the hostages.
@PoliticMongooseSocialist3mos3MO
You seem to be confusing "the Palestinians" with Hamas. The Palestinians actually don't have options. They are being subjected to Israel's brutality. If you think they have agency, explain exactly how they are supposed to get Hamas to surrender? How they can do with their bare hands while sick and starving what Israel as a regional superpower with supposedly expert intelligence and the aid of the US has not been able to do?
The US had leverage of course. AIPAC would not be so concerned about the elections, pro Israel donors would not have made AIPAC and the pro Israel lobby as well funded as it is, if the US did not have leverage.
@R3pr3sntat1veSaltRepublican3mos3MO
Israel funds over 90% of its military. The US funds go funding the iron dome defense system. The number of rockets being fired out of Gaza has plummeted, because despite what this paper tells you, Israel has decimated Hamas’ military capabilities. So cutting funding won’t do what you want it to do.
Not only is your solution not a simple one, it is not fact-based.
