$95 Billion Aid Package: Genocide and War
A Bipartisan Victory or
Continuation of Genocide and War?
$95 Billion Aid Package Slated for
Taiwan, Israel, and Ukraine
On Saturday, April 20, the US House voted to give $95 billion to Taiwan, Israel, and Ukraine.
While many are hailing this as a bipartisan victory, let’s be honest about who really won. Will this aid end the Genocide in Palestine? Is the purpose to stop the war in Ukraine? Is the money for Taiwan even necessary, or is it a bribe, so the U.S. can continue securing its financial interests there? More importantly, could that money be used to help those in crisis, here, on American soil?
According to Katie Edmondson of The New York Times:
The legislation includes $60 billion for Kyiv; $26 billion for Israel, and humanitarian aid for civilians in conflict zones, including Gaza; and $8 billion for the Indo-Pacific region. It would direct the president to seek repayment from the Ukrainian government of $10 billion in economic assistance, a concept supported by former
President Donald J. Trump, who had pushed for any aid to Kyiv to be in the form of a loan. But it also would allow the president to forgive those loans starting in 2026.*
That use of Indo-Pacific is key, as the United States carves its global corporate interests and opposes China. It is gifting this money to Taiwan so that they are allied with the United States and not deepen trade ties with China.
Ukrainians need humanitarian aid, but more than likely that money will go to the arms industry and corrupt government officials.
Will Israel use that money only for its citizens and to buy more weapons? After all, the genocidal track record, including Israeli soldiers shooting at Palestinians running for aid trucks, speaks volumes.
Thirty-seven Democrats opposed the $26 billion aid package to Israel because there are no restrictions on how that money will be used. Representative Jonathan L. Jackson of Illinois offered a clear, strong condemnation: “Sending more weapons to the Netanyahu government will make the U.S. even more responsible for atrocities and the horrific humanitarian crisis in Gaza which is now in a season of famine.”*
Finally, we have a humanitarian crisis in our country with Asylum Seekers dying in the Rio Grande and those that make it to the US are overstretching social services. In Chicago, entire families are begging for money on the streets because they have been kicked out of shelters. We have thousands of homeless in the United States. We have a broken physical and mental healthcare system unable to treat people who need help.
Yet, somehow, we managed to send $95 billion of foreign aid, money that may never reach the hands of those who need it the most.
What is wrong with this picture?
Let’s talk.
*“House Approves $95 Billion Aid Bill for Ukraine, Israel, Taiwan” The New York Times
https://www.nytimes.com/2024/04/20/us/politics/ukraine-aid-bill-gaza-johnson.html?smid=url-share
*“House Approves $95 Billion Aid Bill for Ukraine, Israel, Taiwan” The New York Times
https://www.nytimes.com/2024/04/20/us/politics/ukraine-aid-bill-gaza-johnson.html?smid=url-share
“As people struggle to survive war, climate catastrophe, poverty, and pandemic, a new fascist state form is arising to crush us – the naked rule of corporate power.” ..” The battle is a class struggle because the ruling class is the enemy of humanity and the earth itself.” from the League Program
The Voices of the League series of articles are intended to encourage a dialogue with developing revolutionaries. We highlight issues of the day and areas of special interest to new revolutionaries to provide an action guide. Please make your thoughts known by commenting at the end of the article.
Program of the League of Revolutionaries for a New America:
https://lrna.org/lrna-program/
