10 Jan, 2005
Israeli-United States Relations [January 10, 2005]
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Mark, Clyde R.
"Israeli-U.S. relations are an important factor in U.S. policy in the Middle East, and Congress has placed considerable emphasis on the maintenance of a close and supportive relationship. The main vehicle for expressing support for Israel has been foreign aid; Israel currently receives about $3 billion per year in economic and military grants, refugee settlement assistance, and other aid. Congress has monitored aid closely along with other issues in bilateral relations, and its concerns have affected Administration's policies. U.S.-Israeli relations have evolved from an initial American policy of sympathy and support for the creation of a Jewish homeland in 1948 to an unusual partnership that links a small but militarily powerful Israel, dependent on the United States for its economic and military strength, with the U.S. superpower trying to balance competing interests in the region. Some in the United States question the levels of aid and general commitment to Israel, and argue that a U.S. bias toward Israel operates at the expense of improved U.S. relations with various Arab states. Others maintain that democratic Israel is a strategic ally; they further argue that U.S. relations with Israel strengthens the U.S. presence in the Middle East."
    Details
  • URL
  • Author
    Mark, Clyde R.
  • Publisher
    Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
  • Report Number
    CRS Issue Brief for Congress, IB82008
  • Date
    10 Jan, 2005
  • Copyright
    Public Domain
  • Retrieved From
    U.S. Dept. of State, Foreign Press Centers: www.fpc.state.gov/
  • Format
    pdf
  • Media Type
    application/pdf
  • Subject
    Politics and government/International relations
  • Resource Group
    Reports (CRS)
  • Series
    CRS Issue Brief for Congress, IB82008
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