U.S. Involvement

44. How does the U.S. support Israel?
45. Why was the Bush administration so much less involved than the Clinton administration in Israel-Palestine diplomacy?
46. What has the Bush administrations Middle East policy been all about?

45. The United States support Israel in major ways. This support comes in the form of military, financial, and diplomatic support. Over 25% of U.S. foreign aid goes to Israel, totaling just about $5 billion annually. This money is then sent back into the U.S. economy as Israel buys U.S. produced and made weapons and appliances. Almost every weapon owned by the Israeli government is U.S. made. The most controversial form of support from the U.S. comes in their diplomatic support in the U.N. The U.S. defends Israel in every aspect. Whenever there has been a U.N. violation committed by Israel, the U.S. is always there to defend them and veto any commission that may harm Israel. This support system by the U.S. is really the only reason Israel stands as it does today, without the U.S.

46. The Bush administration has been much less involved than the Clinton administration in Israel-Palestine diplomacy for many reasons. However there are two that are most relevant in our lives today. The first reason is that many of President Bush's advisers and administration are deeply invested in Arab controlled Oil manufacturing. By keeping a looser relationship with Israel, these investors can maintain a healthier and stronger relationship with those who control their money. The main reason for lack of involvement is because of our own issues at home with the 9/11 attack and War on Terrorism. The Bush administration saw that they were simply too occupied with our own safety to deal with the conflict of another people. So, their veto pen and funding is about the only involvement in the conflict. President Clinton didn't have a war or any homeland terrorist attack from another country to deal with. Also, during his Presidency he oversaw the largest economic boom the country has ever seen, thanks to the birth of the dot-com!

47. The Bush administration Middle East policy has been about keeping our country ahead and out of harm's way. Funding for Israel has been maintained, but after the 9/11 attacks, the Bush administration sought out to strengthen ties with Arab nations to ensure the safety of our people. This led to a bit of separation between us (United States) and Israel. Too really drive home the idea that the U.S. was serious about our own protection and our commitment to the Arab world, President Bush and then Secretary of State Collin Powell, called for a "State of Palestine" and "for the occupation to end." This shows how the Bush administration's policy on the Middle East is to save ourselves before the others.