US military aid to Israel gesture of solidarity: Analyst

Press TV has interviewed Bruce Katz, co-president of the Palestinian and Jewish Unity in Montreal, to have his takes on the new pact signed by the United States and Israel in which Washington pledges for a record $38 billion in military aid to the regime.

Here is a rough transcription of the interview:

Press TV: Tel Aviv’s blatant disregard for civilian infrastructure and lives in Gaza back in 2014 led many to believe that Washington would curb its aid package to Israel, but the opposite is taking place here. your thoughts?

Katz: I don’t think there is anything surprising about the difference between theory and practice, basically denunciation of Israel’s transgressions against the Palestinians, especially in Gaza really is nothing more than a slap on the wrist as is proven by the fact that the United Stated is now going to increase the military aid to Israel.

I think what is significant about the timing of the announcement of increases aid is the fact that it comes only two months before the next presidential election with the current democratic candidate for presidency Hillary Clinton in some difficulty, as seen in the polls. So basically we’re talking about a race that is neck and neck and with her recent health problems which leaves a pallor over her campaign.

I think this can be seen as a gesture of a solidarity with the Israel lobby in the United States, because the Democratic administration and the Republican administration basically when it comes to military aid to Israel it’s usually the same old song over and over again. The perception of politicians in the United States is that they can’t get elected unless they suck up to the Israel lobby.

Press TV: Washington has a lot to say and it condemns nations when it feels they marginalize their population or commit acts in violation of international human rights law; yet it turns a blind eye to Tel Aviv’s actions, makes itself complicit through funding and hardware. Your take on that?

Katz: That’s an old story, if you look at the way things are handled in the Security Council, although we can say the same about China as well, but the United States will always veto any attempt whatsoever that deals with Israel’s criminal aggression against the Palestinians in Gaza.

As I said before, they pay lip service to international law, they pay lip service to the rule of law; but once the question of Israel is trampling over international law and the principal of human rights, they simply turn a blind eye to it.

That’s not likely to change, but the only thing that can change the reality on the ground such as it is, is the boycott, divestment and sanctions campaign, especially the move to a military embargo against Israel which is now having effect on Israel’s Elbit systems, which is one of their main armament corporations.

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