US Pledges $212 Million for Rebuilding Gaza
Source: AFP
The United States has pledged $212 million in new aid for the Palestinians at a conference to raise money for rebuilding the war-hit Gaza Strip.
U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry announced the funding Sunday in Cairo, saying the people of Gaza "desperately" need help now. The U.S. had already committed $118 million in humanitarian aid.
Palestinian leaders were seeking $4 billion from the dozens of countries taking part in the conference.
Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas highlighted the extent of the damage and need for aid, saying entire neighborhoods were destroyed in the 50-day conflict between Israel and Hamas. The fighting left more than 2,100 Palestinians dead, most of them civilians, along with 67 Israeli soldiers and six civilians.
Read more: http://www.voanews.com/content/us-pledges-212-miliion-dollars-for-rebuilding-gaza/2481071.html
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branford
(4,462 posts)They're talking about cutting-off all or most funding ($400+ million) because of the unity government with Hamas. A request for an additional $212 million will not be well received in either the House or Senate, and if the Republicans take the Senate, I'd imagine it would be totally DOA without onerous and impossible to accept conditions.
If they could get Israel to agree that the money is a good idea, it may be possible, but no way the Israelis would make such statement with the unity government in place and without extreme monitoring conditions.
But, hey, the President sounds generous . . .
Additionally, if history is any indicator, many other countries, particularly in the Arab world, will also make pledges they'll never meet.
Archae
(46,318 posts)I'd estimate 40-60% of that money and materials will go for tunnels into Israel, and more Hamas and other radical groups' rockets.
50% of what's left will go into the "leaderships'" pockets.
7962
(11,841 posts)
valerief
(53,235 posts)cosmicone
(11,014 posts)1. Send weapons and money to Israel (profits for defense contractors)
2. Israel destroys Gaza with the weapons and money
3. Send money to Gaza to rebuild (profits for construction companies)
4. Go to step 1
Break the pattern, quit funding Israeli military.
L0oniX
(31,493 posts)
dlwickham
(3,316 posts)I'd guess that most of them go to local companies
branford
(4,462 posts)
hibbing
(10,096 posts)You got that right
Iamthetruth
(487 posts)No doubt that is where the bulk of the money will be spent.
ChromeFoundry
(3,270 posts)1. U.S. drastically cuts space program budget
2. U.S. sends $98.3 Million in aid to India
3. India spends $72 Million on a rocket to be sent to Mars
4. Go to step 1
India has one of the highest rankings for childhood malnutrition in the world.
cosmicone
(11,014 posts)in Afghanistan to help the American rebuilding effort there. Money that US taxpayers didn't have to spend.
The 98.3 million is paltry and not even 0.1% of India's GDP. When Britain brought up its $245 million aid in 2012, India asked them to "keep it." India could do the same to the US at the cost of strategic importance of India to the US.
In a strategic race against China with a 1.7 billion population, India serves as a good balance to be a US ally.
Lastly, at least India doesn't spend its aid to build terrorist training camps and hiding Osama bin Laden like some countries have been doing. 
ChromeFoundry
(3,270 posts)...the U.S. was in the wrong for giving it.
If India has $2.3 Billion to spend in Afghanistan, and has children dying in the streets from preventable illness and starvation. Their priorities as a nation are F'ed up.
The U.S. priorities have been F'ed up for longer than I can remember. Based on your post, I guess I am supposed to seek comfort in knowing that India's priorities are just as F'ed up?
cosmicone
(11,014 posts)India is a net exporter of food and has been self-sufficient for over a decade.
India does have entrenched poverty which is gradually coming down. Since independence, India's literacy rate has grown from 5% to 67% and infant mortality has gone down from 150/1000 live births to 41. It is still a lot but then being looted first by the muslims and then by the brits makes it hard to climb back up. India also has a far bigger safety net for the poor than the US does.
For your knowledge, not only that India gave $2.3 billion for Afghanistan, it has created an $11 billion/year program of giving aid to poorer countries.
ChromeFoundry
(3,270 posts)As of May 2014, 872.3 million people lived below the poverty line in this world. 179.6 million of these impoverished people lived in India. India, with 17.5% of total world's population, has 20.6% of world's poorest.
India's public spending on health, estimated at 1.2 percent of its GDP in 2009, is among the lowest in the world.
cosmicone
(11,014 posts)It only looks at rural and impoverished districts and then extrapolates it to the whole nation.
In fact, India has an obesity crisis with rampant Type 2 diabetes due to overeating.
Earth_First
(14,910 posts)
We're broke. We have millions of people that can't get a daily meal, cut food stamps, way too many homeless people, stop unemployment extensions, etc. And yet we don't think twice to send more money overseas. When are we going to start taking care of our own people?
valerief
(53,235 posts)
Cha
(297,154 posts)
peacebird
(14,195 posts)
Deuce
(959 posts)branford
(4,462 posts)It also solves nothing. Should we also deduct a portion of the aid we provide the Palestinians after every rocket, mortar or other attack by Palestinian militants? Maybe we should only release a portion of the Gaza aid after each Arab states recognizes Israel's right to exist in peace. Such childish partisan conditions are nothing but folly.
It you believe that the best way to help the Palestinians is to hurt Israel, just look how well that strategy has worked for the surrounding Arab states for over 60 years.
2banon
(7,321 posts)Growing up in post WWII era, (50's) my introduction to the Holocaust and Nazi Germany was The Diary of Ann Frank, followed with an array of other books, films and historic/current news stories on the evil that existed and was fought against. I thought I understood why it was so important that the diaspora actually had a place they could legitimately claim as their homeland and "rule". Seemed obviously senseable and humane.
Interestingly, the existence of the Palestinians was never mentioned in any of the things I read or heard discussed in the telling of the history. Somehow that bit was omitted and I grew believing that the "Arabs" hated the Jews like Southern Whites hate Blacks... Just pure racism/bigotry.
Then the "Iran Hostage Crises" happened and I endeavored to understand the thread weaving Iran and the "PLO".. trying to wrap my mind around the connection... at initial glance I didn't get it and 24/7 "news" reporting on the "crises" simply failed to illuminate. It wasn't until years later when I learned the depths of geopolitical duplicity of that event which I will deliberately avoid going into here. Suffice to say, it was the beginning of the peeling the veil from my eyes wrt to the "news" propaganda and dissemination in the U.S.
After everything I have learned and all these decades later, I have come to question the very notion of why Israel has a "Right to Exist" but Palestinians do not. And the edict/condition that all in the region must swear an oath and declare that Israel has a right to "Exist" as unconditional precept in going forward with "Peace Talks" (utterly meaningless) speaks to what is at the heart of Israeli intentions/agenda.
One would think their actions for the past decade alone should make pretty clear what that agenda is.
The question people should be asking is: Why should Israel have any more "right to exist" than the Palestinians right to exist?
branford
(4,462 posts)then not only do you not want peace, you fail to understand the history of Israel and you implicitly acknowledge that the Palestinians' right to a state is also subject to negotiation.
For the record, my introduction to the Holocaust was learning at a very young age that I could never meet very large portions of my family because they died in the gas chambers and ovens. The Diary of Anne Frank didn't come until much later.
First, hatred and killing of the Jews is both an ancient and modern phenomena, existed well before the Holocaust, and knew few geographic boundaries. Everything from the Inquisition to the pogroms in Eastern Europe are studied by virtually all Jewish children.
Even in countries like the USA, acceptance of Jews is a very recent phenomenon. Few people like to discuss how many American's supported the Germans in WWII, and how the war against Germany was originally ancillary to a declaration of war against Japan after Pearl Harbor. In the aftermath of WWII for decades, Antisemitism was vicious and widespread in the USA, and Jews were prohibited for entry into colleges, restaurants, clubs, companies, etc. It was much, much worse in Europe, Russia and elsewhere, and in some of those areas today, it's not much better than the past. Today, in purportedly peaceful and enlightened Europe, Jews are still attacked, and equating all Jews with the Israeli government is accepted doctrine in many political groups, both on the right and left, everything from elected neo-Nazis in state and European Parliaments, to Arab and Muslim immigrants bringing their domestic hatred of the Jews learned in their home countries.
The Arab world and Iran are also disasters. The news sources are endless, and Antisemitism is not only encouraged, but often used as an opiate to distract the masses from the their oppressive leadership and lack of human rights and development. The Palestinian cause is a side show. Holocaust denial is standard fare, and blood libels like the Protocols are widely purchased and read. It was in living memory that many of these countries tried repeatedly to kill all Jews "from the river to the sea." The "peace" with Egypt and Jordan is at best cold and uncertain, for no other reason than the pressure of radical political Islam.
It is this context that all Jews cherish a safe homeland, even if they never set foot in Israel, and why Israelis have little trust in others and will defend the country at all costs.
Nevertheless, I still strongly support a two-state solution with peace and security for everyone. There is no need for the Palestinians to suffer if Israel is secure. Sadly, putting this theory into practice has been elusive (and bombing pizzerias and firing missiles randomly into cities does not help).
However, when you raise the specter of Israeli's existence as part of the conversation, do not be surprised when Jews, both in Israel and the diaspora, and most of Israel's supporters, then dig in their heals about any concessions, and what very little trust may have developed, vanishes in an instant.
2banon
(7,321 posts)yes all of this is true. Now What do you have? Israel may exist and fuck the Palestinians. They can all burn in hell. (Got it) unless of course they ACCEPT being completely ruled/controlled with the heavy hand of their brutal oppressors or just exterminated with bombs and tanks. And they MUST genuflect with a smile..
Aren't you tired of this disgusting hypocrisy yet?
On Edit: Strike the word "disgusting" and make that : Aren't you tired of this psychotic hypocrisy yet?
branford
(4,462 posts)Purportedly "knowing" history is not the same as feeling and actually being part of it. The perspective is very, very different.
In any event, nowhere did I say anything remotely close to "fuck the Palestinians," because it is not something I believe. The vast majority of my comment concerns the Jewish experience, my experience,the connection and importance of a homeland, and why the lack of trust is both difficult and justified. I offered no comments, disparaging or otherwise, as to the Palestinian experience, for it is not my history to opine, and I do not question their own experience, no less whether they deserve a state.
What I also did not do is make peace negotiations an either/or, "win or lose." proposition for the parties. I would like nothing more than to see the free, independent and secure States of both Palestine and Israel.
By arguing that Israel's existence is negotiable, you affirm and legitimize the worst fears of Israelis, Jews and their supporters. You are no longer proposing a Palestinian state next to Israel, but instead of Israel. Rationally, why would Israelis make any concessions, or take any risks, when they believe each good faith move brings them closer to their own destruction?
Israeli leadership is elected to protect Israelis, as is the elected leadership of any democracy. If you want to force them to choose between their own people or the Palestinians, as you appear to be, you will continue to see the same situation as the last 66 years. In fact, changes in the Arab world such as Egyptian disdain for Hamas, and wider Arab fears of ISIS and similar militant fundamentalists that challenge the status quo well apart from Israel, are rendering the Palestinian cause less important and far more inconvenient for their leadership. The astounding silence, with little more than a few pro forma denunciations, by virtually all of the leaders in the region during the recent Gaza conflict, speaks volumes, and was not lost on the Palestinians.
Arafat and Abbas realized that attempts at deligitimization of Israel were foolish and counterproductive, although for the former, it was more a matter of strategy than sincerity, and most other Arab regimes followed suit. Nevertheless, you are now effectively adopting the position of violent terrorists and nihilists like Hamas and Islamic Jihad. How you believe that this will encourage a settlement, no less a truly lasting peace, is astonishing. If you actually think it will bring the end of Israel, it would be similarly delusional.
2banon
(7,321 posts)Actually, I am beginning to question their legitimacy on the merits of their own actions towards the Palestinians for 66 years and never a good faith movement/concession on the part of the Israelis. Only continuous subjugation/oppression/humiliation/occupation. Their right to "exist" was always a given in the eyes of the world. Of course Israel has a right to exist. But wait . In their eyes, the Palestinians do not have that right, nor will it ever be, in the eyes of the Israeli's.
That much is made very clear to any close observer. I'm just asking the question, if the Israeli's don't believe the Palestinians have a right to their own homeland with all that any sovereign nation state should be free to attain for their own people and aspire to be, why should Israeli's have all that and more with impunity?
But you get my point? I understand Israel is a special case vis a vis their history, our history, world history. Just the same, their actions have to be called out for what it is and it has to end. We cannot continue to give a wink and nod, indeed loud praises with a huge pay check courtesy of U.S. taxpayers every time they decide to "mow the lawn". The level of bigotry and hatred for Palestinians is beyond reprehensible and the demand for understanding how a people would feel from the impact of that hatred cuts the other way as well.
I don't respond well to the general "terrorist" meme. It's a rather convenient tool when used to rationalize or justify everything. eg. Either you agree with me or you're a terrorist or support terrorism.
branford
(4,462 posts)However, two quick points:
1. If the history of Israel purportedly allows us to question their legitimacy, do you apply the same rules to the Palestinians, or even Arab states (or anyone else) more generally? Even the most cursory review would leave anyone troubled, and history did not begin in 1967 or even 1948. Do you apply the same standards to Israelis and Jews as you do to everyone else? Palestinians and native Jews were killing one another in the Levant before the creation of the State of Israel, and they committed many atrocities before and thereafter. Is it once again acceptable to question whether the Palestinians deserve a state, just as you do with Jews?
2. You don't consider Hamas a terrorist organization, and reject the "meme?" Do you similarly reject such labels for Al Qaeda and ISIS? The organization has loudly and proudly proclaimed their desire to attack civilians, and have taken credit for innumerable unconscionable acts, for the express purpose of achieving political goals, historically and today. It is the very definition of terrorism, and they have rightly been designated as a terrorist organization is all of the Western world, as well as many beyond. Will you excuse anything in support of the Palestinians or so as not to even give the appearance of "legitimizing" the Israelis?
In any event, your strategy and thinking is supported by a fringe few, and clearly rejected by many Palestinians, the Palestinian Authority, and all major governments, and it's record of success is depressingly obvious over the last 66 years.
Maybe you efforts would be better spent encouraging the Palestinians for form an actual functioning and truly peaceful unity government, so as to actually be able to govern a state . . .
Threedifferentones
(1,070 posts)To the victor go the spoils is the only answer. The British "Mandate of Palestine" was, like all colonialism, the theft of land, and the people who were robbed ought not be mad...why?
Instead of dismissing the question, how about you try and answer: how on Earth was that justifiable? How can using violence to force people to leave their homes ever be the beginning of something just and peaceful? Just what DID give the (self described) Zionists the right to seize that land?
You insist we don't ask the question because you cannot provide a satisfactory answer.
The thing is, people are waking up. Many in the west are no longer very religious, and we now question the notion that Arab people ought to be treated like second class citizens whenever we feel like it, even in their own part of the world.
Back in the 1950s, which in the modern world seems like an eternity, it was self evident that people who read the wrong book and follow the wrong God don't really deserve a say in anything. That was just, eh?
The peace is uncertain if for no other reason than Muslims have every right to be pissed about how they were treated. The really terrible part of that IMO is that it makes it even harder for social activists in Middle Eastern countries to work for change. After all, equality and secularism are things that westerners talk about, and westerners are correctly viewed as conquerors and oppressors in the places we have exploited. It thus becomes so much easier for followers of radical Islam to shout down secular and moderate Arabs.
The Jewish people need a home, sure, but we (Brits and Americans) should have given them some of our land, not someone else's. We didn't care though, because we knew we would always win the wars. What a great way to live, right? Just mow the Palestinian "grass" every few years and Israel can survive forever.
The people who were living in Jerusalem for hundreds of years before the 1940s did not want Israel to be created. None of the surrounding countries wanted it either. We forced them to accept it by winning a war, and we continue to force them to accept it by dropping bombs on what little resistance remains. How does that mesh with our supposed democratic values? Why did the occupants of that land not get a vote in what was to happen on it? Why should we not ask these questions? Because Israelis might finally feel guilty for abusing others?
Creating Israel was a terrible mistake. It cannot be undone now, but it was obviously going to lead to generations of hatred and violence. By all rights Israel, Britain and America should apologize, and obviously the Palestinians deserve a state of their own.
branford
(4,462 posts)1. Jews were living in the Levant for many centuries before the foundation of the modern State of Israel. History did not begin in 1948, or even the late 18th or early 19th Centuries. Judaism predates both Christianity and Islam.
2. If for no other reason that simple practicality, you realize that Israel is here to stay, and acting otherwise in negotiations is futile. Are you just venting? Do you believe that advocating such ideas is any way conducive to a settlement?
3. Israel took control of Gaza and the West bank and East Jerusalem in 1967. The areas were controlled by Egypt and Jordan from 1948 through 1967, and Jews (not just Israelis) were denied access to their holiest site, the Western Wall, in East Jerusalem during this time, not to mention the destruction of cemeteries and religious sites, etc. Why didn't the Palestinians Arab brethren provide the Palestinians with territory when it was under their control.
4. Does you ideology apply to all modern states? Was the creation of the United States, Canada and Australia a "terrible mistake?" Does Europe need to radically alter its borders?
5, And, are you really blaming all social, religious, political and cultural ills that have plagued much of both the Arab and Muslim word on the creation of Israel? That is anti-Semitism writ large. Even the most cursory historical review of the region demonstrates that the powers and people in the Middle East were rabidly Antisemitic (as was much of the world) and their record and human rights and other issues was abominable. Moreover, there has never been a love for the Palestinians in the region, but they were certainly useful to dictators seeking to distract their populations. As issues and violence continue arise and worsen in these areas that have absolutely nothing to do with Israel, such as Sunni and Shia conflicts like the civil war in Syria, or ISIS's quest for a caliphate, the Palestinians are becoming even less important, as was demonstrated by the virtual silence of most Arab and Muslim states during the Gaza conflict.
L0oniX
(31,493 posts)wildbilln864
(13,382 posts)Iamthetruth
(487 posts)Those that pay taxes get to determine where the money is spent.
leftynyc
(26,060 posts)okay these funds or don't you? Because your way will guarantee them denying these funds.
branford
(4,462 posts)you really might not like how that effects many poor and minority groups in the USA.
It's a policy that sounds straight-out of the farthest right wing ideologues (and we would no longer be an actual republic).
I'm also not sure if the poster does or doesn't want the funds to be approved.
leftynyc
(26,060 posts)You seriously couldn't find a better example of a poll tax which is unconstitutional (not to mention as far from liberal as you can get).
jwirr
(39,215 posts)
malthaussen
(17,187 posts)
ctsnowman
(1,903 posts)branford
(4,462 posts)L0oniX
(31,493 posts)yeoman6987
(14,449 posts)Winner here! Stop saying we don't have money for our populous while giving it away to other countries. Keep the money here and let other countries fend for themselves. It is unbelievable that we have problems getting the poor in the us but can give away money to others. Oh but food stamps have to cut to give to Palestinians. I sometimes just wonder who thinks around the us.
Rhiannon12866
(205,229 posts)What about Detroit??
damyank913
(787 posts)...now Hamas can afford tunnel boring machines. Fucking idiots spending our money on shit that'll be blown to bits in the next 5-10 years. On a positive note Israel will be able to test all of the US's latest whiz-bangs...
L0oniX
(31,493 posts)Where's the repukes on this? They won't help our society but they will appropriate money for other countries? Tax and spend huh? NO ...it's tax and go to war ...they are just fine with that ...oh but wait ...so are some Dems! WTF
Marrah_G
(28,581 posts)Iamthetruth
(487 posts)That money would be used to kill Americans instead of just Israelis.
Marrah_G
(28,581 posts)I don't fear the Palestinians. Why do you? because you were told to? "must kill then there so they won't kill us here" How many times have we heard that. How many have died because fools believed it?
Iamthetruth
(487 posts)I lived in St Pete up until a couple years ago, they arrested an 18 year old young man of Palestinian family who planned to blow up a bar called McDintons Pub in South Tampa. He tried to purchase explosives and that was when he was caught. So do I fear Palestinians, the answer is a hell of a lot more than I do Israelis.
TBF
(32,047 posts)so they have new targets to aim at.
SamKnause
(13,091 posts)The U.S. taxpayers pay for the bombs.
The U.S. taxpayers pay to rebuild.
Insanity.
Fumesucker
(45,851 posts)That Israel will later mow.
SummerSnow
(12,608 posts)
Warren Stupidity
(48,181 posts)Plucketeer
(12,882 posts)how much is Norway giving to Israel for new weapons to fire at the reconstructions? That's where WE send billions! It all evens out.
branford
(4,462 posts)
devils chaplain
(602 posts)You've got your facts wrong somehow.
karynnj
(59,501 posts)It was announced by the Norwegian foreign minister, who led the effort.
Warren Stupidity
(48,181 posts)"Never mind"
Rhinodawg
(2,219 posts)
liberal N proud
(60,334 posts)What's the point?
Blue_Tires
(55,445 posts)it would be interesting to see if he had something positive to say about this...
(meh, who am I kidding?)