The United States' support for Israel has been unwavering, marked by a substantial contribution totaling an impressive $260 billion in military and economic aid since World War II, a figure surpassing any other country's aid from America by a significant $100 billion margin, notably outpacing Egypt, the second-largest recipient.
This enduring commitment is evident in the extensive aid provided, including over $260 billion in combined military and economic assistance since World War II, coupled with approximately $10 billion contributed for missile defense systems, such as the Iron Dome, as per analysis from US News.
Among recipients, only Egypt comes close, albeit significantly behind, having received just under $100 billion, making it the second-highest beneficiary of US aid.
For an extended period spanning over 30 years, from 1974 to 2002, Israel held the position as the foremost recipient of US aid, a record duration among top aid recipients dating back to 1946, according to data sourced from ForeignAssistance.gov.
Although the period from 2003 to 2020 witnessed heightened aid allocations to Iraq and Afghanistan, Israel consistently maintained a position among the top three aid recipients during this time, as reported by US News & World Reports.
In the current landscape, President Joe Biden has proposed a comprehensive plan to Congress, seeking $106 billion in military and humanitarian aid for both Israel and Ukraine in their conflicts against Hamas and Russia. The House of Representatives has already approved $16.3 billion for immediate aid to Israel. However, the remaining allocation is subject to a proposed approach by Republican Speaker Mike Johnson, involving spending cuts that the Democrats oppose, resulting in a legislative impasse.
The recent terror attacks by Hamas on Israel, occurring on October 7, have further intensified the call for increased aid to the country. In response, the USS Gerald R. Ford, the Navy's most advanced aircraft carrier, has been deployed to the region, with additional aid, including equipment, resources, and munitions, anticipated to arrive in the coming days.
Army Secretary Christine Wormuth emphasized the necessity for additional funds from Congress to support both Israel and Ukraine concurrently during a briefing with reporters on Monday.
A significant portion of the US aid to Israel has primarily constituted military assistance, predominantly in the form of Foreign Military Financing grants. These grants and loans enable Israel to procure US military equipment and services.
The constant need for readiness against regular attacks has led Israelis to perceive terrorism with greater seriousness compared to other nations. Earlier this year, a survey conducted as part of the Best Countries rankings asked respondents to what extent they agreed or disagreed with the statement "terrorism is the most important global issue to solve."
Among Israeli respondents, 44 percent strongly agreed with the statement, while 83.5 percent agreed to some extent. In contrast, the global response saw 30 percent strongly agreeing and 79.5 percent agreeing to any extent. This disparity underscores the heightened awareness and concern for terrorism within Israel's populace.
(With Agency Inputs)
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