© AP Photo/ Pablo Martinez Monsivais, File
In 1976, the United States government enacted the International Security Assistance and Arms Export Control Act. Among other things, the law states that the executive branch cannot authorize financial aid for nuclear countries that are not party to the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty.
A lawsuit filed by the Institute for Research: Middle Eastern Policy on Monday argues that Washington's tangible support for the Israeli government violates the law.
Since the year that the Arms Export Control Act went into effect, the United States has provided resources worth an estimated $234 billion to Israel, despite the fact that the Middle Eastern nation is widely known to be in possession of nuclear weapons, while not being a signatory to the nonproliferation treaty.
Grant Smith, the institute's director, filed the suit, arguing that the violation has continued through the Obama Administration.
The suit accuses the US government of helping Israel cover up its nuclear weapons program. In 2012, for instance, the US Department of Energy and US State Department passed a gag law dubbed, "Guidance on Release of Information relating to the Potential for an Israeli Nuclear Capability."
In 2008, former US President Jimmy Carter stated to reporters that the Israeli government is in possession of "more than 150 nuclear weapons."
The United States is currently finalizing a plan to boost Israeli aid to $4 to 5 billion a year.
"The billions sent to Israel annually have become such a centerpiece of US policy that it is virtually unthinkable that they would let a little thing like its overt illegality get in the way," Jason Ditz writes for AntiWar.com.
"Still, if they lost this lawsuit they'd be obliged to either end the aid or change the law to admit Israel can flout this restriction."
Reader Comments
In the Constitution, the supreme law of America, Congress makes the laws, and is accountable to the public. The Justice Dept. determines the legality of the law, and its interpretation and enforcement. The major problems that this nation is facing come from failure within these branches of government to abide by the Constitution, failure to do their duty, failure to abide by and enforce the law.
There is no magic, no world policeman that can fix the situation. The people are the real power behind any government, but they must be aware of their power and use it. Giving funds for a state religion, or Israel, is forbidden; dual citizenship is an oxymoron and should be denied ASAP. The Intelligence Reform and Terrorism Prevention Act of 2004 [Link] is unconstitutional, should be disregarded, and repealed as it allows the National intelligence Agency, James Clapper, to decide what information the Congress or the public should be allowed to know, and when. This is why Hillary has not been indicted: she is an agent for the NWO globalists, and if tried, would reveal that the entire US government is corrupt, engaged in illegal wars based upon fraud, and theft.
Well said! Dual citizenship must be abolished... it compromises loyalty to the U.S. Members of congress are sworn into office with the oath that they will support and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic... Do dual citizens cross their fingers behind their backs when they take this oath, esp. dual citizen Israelis whose allegiance is more to Israel than the U.S.? On this page listing gov't officials who are dual citizens I see a cartoon illustrating that ;-)
US Politicians Who Hold Dual US/Israeli Citizenship
(as of 2014)
[Link]