I’m not even saying that we can’t or shouldn’t discuss aid to Israel - I think there are ways to have that policy discussion and think about the outcomes of stopping aid (which Netanyahu wants, btw, because it means “taking off the golden handcuffs”) or continuing it (instead of using it for other countries, like Ukraine or other purposes).
But that requires actually discussing it without the lies and distortions that are so endemic to this topic in a way that doesn’t come up the same way for the same people with other countries that I have the same or more qualms and concerns about providing them aid (like Saudi Arabia and Qatar and Egypt etc).
That means realizing that much of this kind of aid is basically a voucher to get supplies from US weapons and defense manufacturers, so that the money doesn’t even really leave the US.
I think the US aid system in general needed change prior to November 2024, and now it’s fucked to where arms and military equipment are the only aid that can reliably be expected to be funded and provided. Good job to those who didn’t vote for Kamala with that.
I’m also more on the hawkish side of things and so recognize the need for a solid, effective, adaptive national defense. There’s a lot that can be done to make the defense department as well as DHS and DOJ (and the CIA and NSA etc) more accountable, ethical, responsive and responsible - so it doesn’t mean I think they should continue as they are or even as they were under Obama or Biden.
I admit to not being fully understanding of why it would be cobshdered “golden handcuffs”
I get that we basically just give defense contractor fun bucks that they then spend on American armaments but I still assume getting a piece of America’s bloated military industrial complex would be considered beneficial to a far right warmonger, I’m not really sure where the handcuff part comes in since as far as I’m aware we aren’t really capable of demanding exactly how that equipment is used once it’s been purchased.
It's because Israeli military systems and equipment (from fighter jets to Iron Dom and so on) are American-made and rely on access to American suppliers and producers. So, we are able to influence how the equipment is used, or if they can get replacement supplies. We saw that when the US *would* hold up disbursements or re-supplying and the pressure and concern from the Israeli government.
These aren't just simple plug-and-play components, but require, generally, the specific ammo or parts, or a close equivalent from the same provider.
There are Israeli contractors and suppliers who could fill the gap, but that would require a transition and a build-up, which takes time and money, neither of which the Israeli government can easily afford due to the choices made by Netanyahu and his coalition.
(With the Massie amendment, any resources or aid for Palestinians would also get cut, and US foreign aid often has requirements for how it is used as authorized by Congress, which is something to keep in mind).
So, cutting aid to Israel would allow Netanyahu and his coalition to do what they want with the equipment they want when they want (presuming that the aid cutting has a phase-out provision, which would seem likely) and would free up their hand to give even less of a fuck about what the US or others say - and which would also encourage them to seek aid and assistance elsewhere, possibly from places we wouldn't want them to.
