Developing: Pakistani Plane Escorted by UK Fighter Jets — 2 Men Arrested

Doc Thompson’s 24-hour radio marathon, ‘#24forok,’ continues until 9 am ET — Listen Live!

Finance

Sen. Rand Paul Calls for Reduction in Aid to Israel…While in Israel

Jan. 8, 2013 7:50am Sharona Schwartz

Sen. Rand Paul in Jerusalem on Monday (AP photo)

Sen. Rand Paul chose an unlikely location to deliver a foreign policy proposal.

While visiting Israel on Monday, the Kentucky Republican said the U.S. should gradually reduce the amount of foreign aid it distributes, including to Israel, one of its largest recipients. He said that for starters, the U.S. should reduce the monies given to countries out of sync with American values, and only later reduce the aid to ideologically-aligned allies.

Speaking to the Jerusalem Institute for Market Studies, an Israeli think tank, Paul indicated his idea should not be viewed as a punishment to Israel, but rather as a fiscal issue.

The U.S. is and always will be a friend of Israel, he said according to the Jerusalem Post, but added “It will be harder and harder to be a friend if we are out of money. It will be harder to defend Israel if we destroy our country in the process.”

An AP reporter quoted him as saying, “I think there will be significant repercussions to running massive deficits…you destroy your currency by spending money you don’t have.”

Sen. Rand Paul touring Jerusalem (Photo courtesy: Western Wall Rabbi)

On this first trip of his to Israel, Paul suggested that if the U.S. weren’t under debt pressure, aid could be considered. “To me it has always been about whether it makes sense for me to borrow money from China to give to Pakistan,” he said.

The senator who last week won a seat on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee emphasized he sees a difference between committed American allies like Israel and other recipients of U.S. aid, such as Egypt, Libya and Pakistan.

“I’m all for gradualism,” he said. “I would start a little more quickly with those who are enemies of Israel, and enemies of the US. I would like to see their aid end more quickly. With regards to Israel, it could be a gradual phenomenon.”

Of the $3 billion in annual military aid given to Israel, most of it must be spent in the U.S. on American equipment and services.

Paul pointed out that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in the past also supported the idea of gradually weaning Israel off the aid. AP reports:

Paul said the aid, used in large part by Israel and Egypt to buy U.S. weapons, was creating an arms race in the Middle East that could ultimately harm Israel, not help it.

“I’m concerned that some of the weaponry that we are currently giving to Egypt may one day be used against Israel,” he said.[…]

Paul suggested Israel would actually benefit from less aid, saying it would enhance its sovereignty by not having to approach the U.S. “on bended knee” when making its own decisions.

Paul outlined other ways in which he believes less aid would help Israel, including boosting the local defense industry and allowing Israel to feel it can act more independently.

He wondered whether “our aid hampers Israel’s ability to make its own decisions as it sees fit” and whether “our money sometimes clouds the sovereignty of Israel.” He is also concerned Israelis think “they have to call people in America for permission to defend itself.”

Paul was not optimistic his idea would be adopted during his lifetime. “It’s unlikely anything changes, but I think it is worth discussing,” he said.

The senator is traveling in the region with an evangelical Christian group. After meeting with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and other Israeli politicians and a tour of the Galilee, he is scheduled to travel to Jordan on Tuesday to meet with King Abdullah and Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas.

As TheBlaze reported on Sunday, Paul – heir apparent to his father Ron Paul’s political movement – said he’s considering a presidential bid.

This week’s visit to the Middle East, a foreign policy hotspot, can only enhance his diplomatic credentials.

In CONTROL, Glenn Beck presents a passionate, fact-based case for guns that reveals why gun control isn’t really about controlling guns at all; it’s about controlling us. Find out more HERE.

Back to The Blaze »

Comments (86)

Ron Staiger
Posted on January 8, 2013 at 10:32am
Instead of cutting aid to the ONLY friend the US has in the Middle East now that Obama’s Arab-Friggin-Spring has sprung, how about cutting ALL aid to Lybia, Egypt, Kuwait, Irag, Afghanistan, Oman, Yemen, Lebanon and Tunisia- giving it all to Israel instead. Washington is full of friggin’ morons!

Report this comment
Log in to ReplyReply
- Kupo
  Posted on January 8, 2013 at 11:32am
  Because that does absolutely nothing to help with our stupendous amount of national debt. By cutting off all foreign aid Israel still comes out ahead.
  
  Report this comment
- CorpsmanToPA
  Posted on January 8, 2013 at 12:02pm
  Ron – If you actually read the full article and not just a glimpse, you would see that Senator Paul said:
  
  “The senator who last week won a seat on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee emphasized he sees a difference between committed American allies like Israel and other recipients of U.S. aid, such as Egypt, Libya and Pakistan.
  
  “I’m all for gradualism,” he said. “I would start a little more quickly with those who are enemies of Israel, and enemies of the US. I would like to see their aid end more quickly. With regards to Israel, it could be a gradual phenomenon.””
  
  Just read and don’t “assume” – or you become the first three letters of the word.
  
  Report this comment
- rose.777
  Posted on January 8, 2013 at 12:42pm
  agree
  
  Report this comment
- todd147
  Posted on January 8, 2013 at 2:05pm
  Artaxerxes I (Longimanus), who was the Persian King not only gave Nehemiah the right to go back to Israel and rebuild it’s walls (defense system), but also financed it. He went on to rein for 40 years. A long time in those days. This is not only Biblical History, but also secular history. I can give example after example. On both sides. The statue mentioned in Daniel predicts the great kingdoms of that region and they all came to be and they all fell. The toe’s of clay and iron mixed, I believe represent the Europen Union and the stone that smites the feet into pieces is certainly Jesus Christ. In all of our lives, Jesus is either the cornerstone, a stumbling stone or the smiting stone. I would error on the side of caution (since the Bible and it’s prophecies are so pin point accurate) and support Israel in any way we can. Because when that stone falls, I don’t want to be here.
  
  Report this comment
- SacredHonor1776
  Posted on January 8, 2013 at 7:06pm
  Rand Paul is right… He isn’t turning his back on Israel. He’s reaffirming that we’ll still be there to help our allies, and stop providing for our enemies, but we need to be in a better position to help our allies without destroying our own economy in the process…
  
  Report this comment
ninja
Posted on January 8, 2013 at 10:20am
Foreign aid is unConstitutional.

Yet look at all the self-deluding self-proclaimed ‘conservatives’ who support foreign aid. No wonder we’re past broke.

You cant have Israel’s back if you keep them on a leash. Cut the dam leash already.

Sic ‘em Netanyahu !!!

Report this comment
Log in to ReplyReply
- SquidVetOhio
  Posted on January 8, 2013 at 11:11am
  Can you quote the un-Constitutionality of it?
  
  Report this comment
- Norm D. Plume
  Posted on January 8, 2013 at 12:27pm
  It’s not a power granted to the Federal government by the Constitution. Ergo, it is unconstitutional.
  
  Report this comment
rockymtngal
Posted on January 8, 2013 at 9:25am
PAUL RYAN’S PROPOSED BUDGET CUTS

A List of Republican Budget Cuts

Notice S.S. and the military are NOT on this list.

These are all the programs that the new Republican House has proposed cutting. Read to the end.

* Corporation for Public Broadcasting Subsidy — $445 million annual savings.
* Save America ‘s Treasures Program — $25 million annual savings.
* International Fund for Ireland — $17 million annual savings.
* Legal Services Corporation — $420 million annual savings.
* National Endowment for the Arts — $167.5 million annual savings.
* National Endowment for the Humanities — $167.5 million annual savings.
* Hope VI Program — $250 million annual savings.
* Amtrak Subsidies — $1.565 billion annual savings.
* Eliminate duplicating education programs — H.R. 2274 (in last Congress), authored by Rep. McKeon, eliminates 68 at a savings of $1.3 billion annually.
* U.S. Trade Development Agency — $55 million annual savings.
* Woodrow Wilson Center Subsidy — $20 million annual savings.
* Cut in half funding for congressional printing and binding — $47 million annual savings.
* John C. Stennis Center Subsidy — $430,000 annual savings.
* Community Development Fund — $4.5 billion annual savings.
* Heritage Area Grants and Statutory Aid — $24 million annual savings.
* Cut Federal Travel Budget in Half — $7.5 billion annual savings
* Trim Federal Vehicle Budget by 20% — $600 million annual savings.
* Essential Air Service — $150 mill

Report this comment
Log in to ReplyReply
- justangry
  Posted on January 8, 2013 at 9:53am
  All you need to know about Paul Ryan, other than he hates our bill of rights, is all the fiscal hawks were purged from his committee. He’s a 1st team Washington insider that pretends to be fiscally conservative.
  
  Report this comment
- alinmatt
  Posted on January 8, 2013 at 12:41pm
  Yup, a man that wants a balanced budget is a real fiscal conservative. Nevermind that his plan would take 28 years to balance the budget (not the debt). In the meantime spending could continue going hog wild while he was in office.
  There’s no point in supporting a budget plan that balances the budget after that politician is out of office. Paul Ryan is not fiscally conservative, he’s just good at appearing that way.
  
  Report this comment
cdn1979
Posted on January 8, 2013 at 9:15am
Good for him. He’s no different than the libertarian his father is (who i like a great deal and wish was running the USA). He just markets his idea’s better. Same end game, but makes it sound nicer. He wants to cut off israel as well, but he says it in a nice way that makes sense. his dad just said “cut them off!!!” that angered the people here.

Report this comment
Log in to ReplyReply
- tcon67
  Posted on January 8, 2013 at 4:34pm
  Rand Paul is going to be primed for 2016, and I believe could even bring rise to a legitimate 3rd party. Americans are sick of the two-party socialism and only need a legitimate candidate representing alternative. Rand is playing his hand brilliantly. Wearing the Republican badge,while marketing Libertarian ideology in a very popular way. Leaves him open to either party, depending on how the tide turns. I am a huge supporter of Rand Paul and proud that he is my Senator.
  
  Report this comment
ClassicalLiberal
Posted on January 8, 2013 at 9:05am
Good for Rand. The following is a study by an Israeli free market think tank regarding the negative impacts of US aid to Israel.

Institute of Market Studies by Yarden Gazit.
http://www.jims-israel.org/pdf/PPusaidEnglish.pdf

Short version:
http://www.jims-israel.org/pdf/PRUSAidEnglish.pdf

Report this comment
Log in to Reply Reply
MotownMan
Posted on January 8, 2013 at 9:01am
Borrowing from China to give to Pakistan……. Wow, doesn’t Senator Paul hit the nail on the head there.

U.S. Foreign Policy is an unmitigated DISASTER.

Report this comment
Log in to ReplyReply
- CABERNETQHS
  Posted on January 8, 2013 at 10:05am
  Cut off all aid to enemies of the US and Israel. We are doing with less, I’m sure Israel can make due with less if it’s enemies aren’t getting an allowance from us. Most of us donate to those who think like us…It’s a no brainer.
  
  Report this comment
hauschild
Posted on January 8, 2013 at 8:53am
No spending should be off the table and that includes defense and especially foreign aid.

You begin picking and choosing and you’re defeated before you even begin because everybody has their own “entitlement” they feel should be off limits.

I’d start with a 25% cut across the board immediately and assess a few years down the road, hoping to gut more than half of the entitlement sham.

But, since half of the slobs in this country dine at the government trough, that’s a pipe dream.

Report this comment
Log in to Reply Reply
leavingpa
Posted on January 8, 2013 at 8:51am
Just angry
First we can fix social security. How much is given away to foreign countries….eliminate it. How much is paid out to drug addicts, alcoholics, immigrants….stop it. How much was taken, or still being taken, from social security? plug the hole. Did you know that in PA gas tax is not allowed to be used for any other program except fixing roads and bridges? Social Security should have always been the same way. It should have been earmarked for retirement, and retirement only. I’ve always said that instead of cutting ssi, cut welfare. I paid taxes and eventually should be entitled. Welfare recipients should have cuts before retirees.

Report this comment
Log in to ReplyReply
- FeralHuman
  Posted on January 8, 2013 at 8:55am
  Evidently Social Security is running a surplus. When they lump it in with Medicare it sounds as if both are broke. Do a search on the GAO and see that SS is fine. Now Medicare is broke. The two are not the same thing.
  Please do not tell Obama about the surplus in Social Security. He will drain it today!
  
  Report this comment
- Eastinfection
  Posted on January 8, 2013 at 9:12am
  FERAL..
  
  Social Security is SUPPOSED to run a surplus. It’s supposed to be a savings account of sorts. The problem is that it’s surplus needs to be around $100 billion but it’s only projected to be about $16 billion.
  
  Report this comment
- justangry
  Posted on January 8, 2013 at 9:38am
  BS! It’s a New Deal commie program. So many ‘conservatives’ accepting the program is what’s wrong with the GOP.
  
  Report this comment
- missdagnytaggart
  Posted on January 8, 2013 at 12:31pm
  Agreed. Social security never should have happened. Biggest ponzie scheme in history.
  
  Report this comment
- ArmedAndReallyPissed
  Posted on January 8, 2013 at 9:17pm
  FERAL…….And you believe the GAO ? I hate to tell you but SS is not fine. SS is broke. Flat broke. Has been for years. The SS Trust fund “balances” are nothing more than a “bookkeeping” device. They do not consist of real economic assets that can be drawn down in the future to fund benefits.
  When your FICA tax is taken out of your paycheck, it does not get squirreled away in a lockbox in West Virginia where it’s kept until you retire. Most goes out immediately to pay current retirees, and the rest ( say $100 ) goes to the U.S. Treasury—and is spent. On roads, bridges, national defense, Public Television, whatever—-gone, spent.
  In return for that $100, the Treasury sends the SS Administration a piece of paper that says : IOU $100. There are countless such pieces of paper in the lockbox. They are called “special issue” Bonds. Special they are : They are worthless. They are nothing more than “claims on the Treasury” ( ie., promises ) that, when redeemed ( when you retire and are waiting for your check ), will have to be financed by raising Taxes, borrowing from the Public, or reducing benefits or other expenditures.
  “The existence of a large trust fund balance, therefore, does not, by itself, have any impact on the Governments ability to pay benefits. The lockbox with the little pieces of paper mean nothing.
  In march 2011we were told that SS system was solvent till 2037. 6 months ago it became 2031. I don’t even care what they say now. It’s all lies. Sorr
  
  Report this comment
thibx
Posted on January 8, 2013 at 8:51am
i don’t believe none in washington the waste will not stop until they destroy the country and we are begging the rest of the world to help us.

Report this comment
Log in to Reply Reply
Eastinfection
Posted on January 8, 2013 at 8:48am
This idea makes far too much sense for us to even consider it.

I wonder sometimes how much of our foreign aid gets swallowed up by endless bureaucracies or winds up in the personal purses of shady autocrats, megalomaniacs, and terrorists.

Report this comment
Log in to ReplyReply
- Zipit
  Posted on January 8, 2013 at 9:10am
  East! Inefeciancy, waste, and failure. It’s what has become the definition of of our government! Why should the foreign aid end of it be any different! And your right! Way too much common sense in Paul’s comments to even consider!
  
  Report this comment
whater39
Posted on January 8, 2013 at 8:45am
Spending is spending. Shouldn’t the USA help their own, before helping people in other countries.

Report this comment
Log in to Reply Reply
seek.the.truth
Posted on January 8, 2013 at 8:43am
Immediately got angry when I read the headline, but as I was reading what Rand Paul actually said I thought “common sense”. Please speak more and often!

Report this comment
Log in to Reply Reply
SpankDaMonkey
Posted on January 8, 2013 at 8:37am
.
We should have helped the Jew’s kill their Muslim enemies a long time ago. Instead of protecting the Dirty Goat Abusing Muslims in the first place………

Report this comment
Log in to Reply Reply
ares338
Posted on January 8, 2013 at 8:28am
We have heard this time and again fom Washingon and until I see it actually being done, I don’t believe what anyone says. Words mean Crappola!

Report this comment
Log in to Reply Reply
Oldphoto678
Posted on January 8, 2013 at 8:26am
How much do we cut from our defence budget? At least a third I’d say.

Report this comment
Log in to ReplyReply
- American Soldier (Separated)
  Posted on January 8, 2013 at 3:41pm
  Cut the budget as much as possible so we can only afford to defend our homeland. War should be an expense that it cannot afford until it was an absolute necessity.
  
  Report this comment
SamIamTwo
Posted on January 8, 2013 at 8:20am
Did he comment on restricting funding to ALL of the Arab nations first? If not, he should have…cause they take our money and have ZERO returns…Israel takes the money and ends up buying USA stuff…mostly arms to protect themselves. Last time they purchased a herd of F35s.

Now we are giving weapons to Arabs…Rand my be off the bubble on this one…I’d cut the Arab nations and divert some of that to nations who support the US, like Israel.

Report this comment
Log in to ReplyReply
- oldguy49
  Posted on January 8, 2013 at 8:24am
  no the arabs countries take our money and give us their poor their tired and hungry………for a califate
  
  Report this comment
- jay1975
  Posted on January 8, 2013 at 9:57am
  Why don’t you actually read the article first before making yourself look foolish. The Blaze uses sensational (lying) headline, just like Huffington, to stir up the followers who are too ignorant to actually read and decide for themselves. Don’t be a sheep.
  
  Report this comment
searching for the Truth
Posted on January 8, 2013 at 8:16am
Knew it !

Report this comment
Log in to Reply Reply
justangry
Posted on January 8, 2013 at 8:12am
We’re killing plenty of Muslims.

Report this comment
Log in to Reply Reply
circleDwagons
Posted on January 8, 2013 at 8:09am
Zero is a good number. We need to cut our government spending. There are many federal programs that should be eliminated.

Report this comment
Log in to Reply Reply
RJJinGadsden
Posted on January 8, 2013 at 8:03am
I have to agree. Paul makes more sense than anybody else regarding this subject.

Report this comment
Log in to ReplyReply
- progressiveslayer
  Posted on January 8, 2013 at 8:31am
  Yes indeed he does have the right idea and eventually foreign aid needs to go to zero and the sooner the better.
  
  Report this comment
- tzion
  Posted on January 8, 2013 at 8:51am
  I find nothing wrong with his plan either. Without foreign aid Netanyahu could tell Obama to shove it and Clinton wouldn’t be interfering Israel’s conflicts. Anonymous, private donations are far more sincere than foreign aid and have no strings attached.
  
  Report this comment
- ofass
  Posted on January 8, 2013 at 12:38pm
  Maybe you don’t know but most of the money goes to buy equipment from American factories….so in fact you will cut money from them….
  
  Report this comment
- American Soldier (Separated)
  Posted on January 8, 2013 at 3:44pm
  Ofass, you’re argument is the same as Obama’s argument for unemployment benefits. According to them, it saved jobs because those unemployed spent their money on businesses. So if you agree that giving Israel money is good because they have to spend it on US weapons, etc, then you must agree with Obama that unemployment is saving jobs by giving them money to spend….
  
  Report this comment
The_Jerk
Posted on January 8, 2013 at 8:03am
It’s about time people are coming around. Handouts to the rest of the world must stop. The flood of illegal immigration, which is a form of handouts, must stop. We’re broke and broken.

Report this comment
Log in to Reply Reply
ArmedAndReallyPissed
Posted on January 8, 2013 at 8:02am
We need a reduction or complete halt in “Aid” to everywhere outside the USSA. Fix Social Security for starters……………..Yeah, like that will ever happen.

Report this comment
Log in to ReplyReply
- justangry
  Posted on January 8, 2013 at 8:11am
  There’s no way to fix a socialist ponzi scheme.
  
  Report this comment
- ArmedAndReallyPissed
  Posted on January 8, 2013 at 8:19am
  SS could be fixed if we didn’t have a bunch of Commie Thieves in Washington. It’s only a Ponzi Scheme because we have let them turn it into one. There have been quite a few really good plans for fixing SS, but they fall on deaf Ears.Of course no Politician has to rely on SS. They have their own Nest Egg.
  
  Report this comment
- justangry
  Posted on January 8, 2013 at 8:58am
  If you feel there’s a way for the CENTRAL GOVERNMENT to REDISTRIBUTE wealth by FORCE yet complain about the “commies” in Washington, you probably should enroll in a polysci course or too. Just saying.
  
  Report this comment
- circleDwagons
  Posted on January 8, 2013 at 9:34am
  @Just. With enough rope and duct tape we can fix S.S.
  
  Report this comment
- justangry
  Posted on January 8, 2013 at 9:57am
  LOL, but who pays for the rope and duct tape?
  
  Report this comment
scrapadapolis
Posted on January 8, 2013 at 8:00am
Well it’s a start.But if we cut off our enemies won’t that be more for the US and Israel?

Report this comment
Log in to ReplyReply
- ArmedAndReallyPissed
  Posted on January 8, 2013 at 8:04am
  The Fuhrer will NEVER cut “aid” to his Friends, the Muslim DiaperHood. Israel maybe, but not any Enemies of AmeriKans.
  
  Report this comment
- jay1975
  Posted on January 8, 2013 at 9:59am
  Why the hell should Israel get our money? Cut everyone off. It is our money, taken from our people and should be spent on our needs, not the needs of any other nation.
  
  Report this comment
justangry
Posted on January 8, 2013 at 8:00am
There goes his 2016 presidential hopes.

Report this comment
Log in to ReplyReply
- blanco5
  Posted on January 8, 2013 at 8:12am
  He wasn’t progressive enough for the gop anyway.
  
  Report this comment
blanco5
Posted on January 8, 2013 at 7:55am
It’s the whole, “put the oxygen mask on YOURSELF first and THEN your child” theory. It makes sense to end ALL aid!!!!

Report this comment
Log in to Reply Reply

It appears that you have Javascript Disabled. Please enable Javascript in your browser preferences for a better user experience on TheBlaze. You can not comment without Javascript enabled.