Israeli soldiers effect an arrest of Palestinian man in Hebron.
On May 15, 2014 during a joint press conference between Secretary of Defense Chuck Hagel and Israeli Defense Minister Moshe Ya’alon – Secretary Hagel confirmed the fact that the US provides Israel with $3.1 billion per year in foreign military aid – more than any other nation in American history. This despite Israel’s rather abysmal human rights record and targeted espionage activities inside the US.
Here is some of what Hagel said in this regard:
“We also discussed America’s unwavering pledge to preserve Israel’s qualitative military edge, including the provision of some of America’s most advanced capabilities, such as the V-22 Osprey, the F-35, and sophisticated aircraft radar. We addressed ways to strengthen our nations’ cooperation on a host of security challenges, ranging from the conflict in Syria, to Iranian ballistic missiles. And we talked about the need for continued commitment to direct Israeli-Palestinian negotiations that lead to two viable, independent states living side by side in peace and security.
The frequent meetings that Minister Ya’alon and I have had and the visit by President Obama’s national security advisor last week speak clearly to the strength of our nations’ close friendship. They speak clearly to the strength of America’s commitment to defending Israel.
But nothing speaks more clearly than America’s concrete support for Israel’s defense. That includes $3.1 billion per year in foreign military financing, which is not only more than we provide to any other nation, but the most we have provided to any nation in American history.
Our support also includes unparalleled military cooperation, and later this afternoon, Minister Ya’alon and I are looking forward to seeing that cooperation first-hand. As he noted, we will visit Hatzor Air Force Base, where we will have an opportunity to review preparations for Juniper Cobra, a biannual five-day military exercise that will involve more than 4,000 American and Israeli troops, including over 700 U.S. troops here in Israel”, said Secretary Hagel (source: DOD http://www.defense.gov/Transcripts/Transcript.aspx?TranscriptID=5433).
According to Human Rights Watch Israel’s human rights record leaves a lot to be desired.
“In 2013, Israeli forces killed Palestinian civilians in the West Bank, most in circumstances that suggest the killings were unlawful. Israeli authorities destroyed homes and other property under discriminatory practices, forcibly displacing hundreds of Palestinian residents in West Bank areas under Israeli control. Israel imposed severe restrictions on Palestinians’ right to freedom of movement, continued to build unlawful settlements in occupied territory, and arbitrarily detained Palestinians, including children and peaceful protesters.”
Source: http://www.hrw.org/middle-eastn-africa/israel-palestine
In addition Israeli aggressive spying activities in the US poses serious problems.
See article: ‘New NSA document highlights Israeli espionage in US’
Read more: ‘New NSA document highlights Israeli espionage in US’ | The Times of Israel http://www.timesofisrael.com/new-nsa-document-highlights-israeli-espionage-in-us/#ixzz326ZROHvK
See article: Report: Israeli espionage ‘hushed up’ by US officials http://www.jpost.com/Diplomacy-and-Politics/Report-Extensive-Israeli-espionage-hushed-up-by-US-officials-351833