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Palestine Watch |
April 17, 2003
Mr. Dennis Mills
804 Narnia Lane NW
Olympia, Washington 98502
Dear Mr. Mills:
Thank you for contacting me regarding U.S. aid to Israel. I appreciate learning your views on this matter, and I welcome the opportunity to respond to them.
As you are aware, each year the United States provides economic and military assistance to Israel in the form of foreign aid. At present, Israel is slated to receive $2.7 billion in U.S. foreign aid for fiscal year 2003. Of this appropriation, $2.1 billion will be in the form of military assistance and $600 million will be in the form of economic assistance.
I understand your concern about the cost and use of American foreign aid to Israel. Indeed, I share your frustration at Israel's continued failure to heed calls from both the United States and the United Nations (U.N.) to cease constructing settlements in the West Bank and Gaza Strip. I believe expanded settlements function as yet another source of agitation and conflict in a region already saturated with both. At the same time, however, I believe that it is important that the U.S. continue to provide Israel with vital economic and military assistance, even as we exert pressure and encourage both sides to return to meaningful negotiations.
On this same note, I urge those who have legitimate concerns about aid to Israel to also express their concerns and desires for peace by writing the Palestinian authorities to insist on an end to the campaigns of terrorist bombings against innocent civilians. Ultimately, there must be changes on both sides and a shared commitment to non-violence and justice or there will not be success and peace in the region.
Thank you once again for writing me on this matter. Please do not hesitate to contact me again in the future on this, or any other issue that is important to you.
Sincerely,
Brian Baird
Member of Congress
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