US military aid for Israel PR stunt: Commentator

Press TV has spoken to Hafsa Kara-Mustapha and Maxine Dovere, both journalists and political commentators, about a record new package of US military aid to Israel.

The deal requires at least $3.8 billion in annual aid, up from $3.1 billion per year under the current pact, which expires in 2018. Israel had originally requested at least $4.5 billion a year.

The new package will include money for Israeli missile systems, which until now have been funded separately by the US Congress. In recent years, American lawmakers have given Israel about $600 million in annual funds for this purpose.

Jim Hafsa Kara-Mustapha believes that the US military aid deal for Israel is essentially a “PR stunt.”

She also stated that US President Barack Obama is guaranteeing and ensuring his post-presidential career by pledging more support for Israel.

The commentator also noted that this deal is quite a “vote-winner for many of the racist American electorate because it is going to be used in arms in order to slaughter more Palestinians."  

“For [Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin] Netanyahu this is a way of saying to his electorate and also to the pro-American Israelis that he has managed to secure even more and milk more money out of American taxpayer,” she added.   

Kara-Mustapha further argued that Israel has the unconditional support of the United States and the US Congress is “completely sold” to the Israeli interests.

She went on to say that US Congressmen were more interested in the welfare of Israel than they were in the welfare of American people "because every congressman is on the payroll of the American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC)."

“The Congress is fully appreciative of whatever Israel does. [It] does not challenge in any way, shape or form any Israeli administration … so I think Benjamin Netanyahu can throw the money down the drain and US Congressmen, who slavishly support whatever Israel does, will not exactly do anything,” she opined.

The commentator further mentioned that Israel has no interest in engaging in peace talks with Palestinians because it has the support of the “international worldwide bully.”

What the United States shares in common with Israel is its history and the way it was built, she noted, adding that Israel is looking to exterminate the indigenous population of Palestine very similar to what the Americans did to the native population.  

Maxine Dovere, for her part, said she believed that the US military aid for Israel was going to be positive for American industries and workers.  

She further noted that Israel is going to use the arms for “defensive” purposes so it can remain stable in its position.

According to the commentator, the US Congress being in favor of Israel’s position is a “mutual situation” from which both Washington and Tel Aviv benefit.

Press TV’s website can also be accessed at the following alternate addresses:

www.presstv.co.uk