The United States and Israel share a long history of defense cooperation, evidenced by multiple agreements, including the Mutual Defense Assistance Agreement (1952), the General Security of Information Agreement (1982), the Mutual Logistics Support Agreement (1991), and the Status of Forces Agreement (1994). These agreements represent the deep, strategic ties between the two nations, but they also highlight the one-sidedness of that relationship.
In 2024, the United States exported $14.8 billion worth of goods to Israel, a 5.8% increase from the previous year. This financial flow underscores the strength of the bond between these two countries, a bond that spans decades and affects global politics in profound ways. But as billions of dollars are transferred across the ocean, questions arise about the broader implications of these actions—questions that touch on morality, justice, and responsibility.
The region we now call Israel was once part of the Roman Empire, known as Judea in the time of Jesus. The significance of this is profound: while the geopolitical landscape has changed dramatically over the centuries, the moral questions surrounding power, aid, and responsibility remain eerily consistent.
Israel's economy is largely driven by high tax rates—among the highest in the world. Income, value-added, customs and excise, land, and luxury taxes are the main sources of revenue. Yet, despite the nation's relative wealth, it remains heavily dependent on foreign aid, particularly from the United States. This aid has played a significant role in Israel's economic development, bolstering industries like high-tech and innovation.
In contrast, the situation for the African migrants and asylum seekers arriving in Israel since 2005 paints a much darker picture. These individuals, primarily from Eritrea and Sudan, flee persecution and conflict in their home countries, seeking safety in Israel. Instead of finding refuge, many are met with disdain and the label of "infiltrators." The Israeli government's policy is one of deterrence, aimed at preventing further migration through stringent measures that include detention and deportation. Migrants who are granted temporary protection in the form of renewable conditional release visas live in constant fear that their visas may be revoked.
Human rights organizations have condemned Israel's treatment of these migrants, while Israeli officials argue that many are simply economic migrants seeking work and that the country has no obligation to house them. In the end, Israel's policies toward these migrants reflect a stark contrast between the assistance offered to some and the rejection faced by others.
This disparity in treatment is not only a reflection of Israel's internal politics but also speaks to the broader geopolitical dynamic—particularly the influence of powerful entities like the Rothschild family. Estimates of their wealth range from $1 billion to $15.7 trillion, and their influence over global economic and political events is undeniable. The Rothschild family, whose banking empire has shaped Europe for nearly 300 years, is emblematic of the forces that shape global decisions, including the financial aid sent to Israel.
The Rothschilds' rise to prominence began with Mayer Amschel Rothschild (1744–1812), who established his banking business in the 1760s. From this humble beginning, the family grew to control a vast multinational banking empire, spanning financial capitals like Vienna, London, Paris, Naples, and Frankfurt. Their influence extends beyond banking, with indirect control over major global corporations, including pharmaceutical giants.
The Rothschild family’s legacy is marked by both remarkable success and deep controversy. Their control over vast sums of money and their involvement in shaping political realities raise troubling questions about the nature of wealth and power in the modern world. These questions are not just academic—they touch on the lives of the marginalized, those who suffer the consequences of decisions made far above their heads.
Mother Teresa, in her book Come Be My Light, alluded to the troubling nature of aid and power. She questioned the world's priorities, recognizing that billions of dollars are spent on international alliances and causes while the poorest, the downtrodden, and the forgotten are left to suffer in silence. The disparity in resources between nations like Israel and those left without aid speaks volumes about the priorities of the global powers that shape our world.
Ultimately, this story is about more than just Israel, or the United States, or even the Rothschild family. It is about the duplicity of global politics—the way power, wealth, and allegiance often come at the expense of those who need help the most. While billions flow to one nation, millions of others live in squalor, their voices drowned out by the noise of geopolitics. The question remains: how long can we continue to turn a blind eye to the suffering on our doorstep while we lavish support on those who need it least?
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