Stop Military Aid to Israel

President Bush's FY2009 budget request for $2.55 billion in military aid for Israel, a proposed increase of 9% over actual spending in 2007, now rests with the Senate and House Appropriations Subcommittees on State, Foreign Operations, and Related Programs. This proposed increase in military aid to Israel is the first installment of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) signed by the United States and Israel in August 2007 to increase military aid to Israel by 25%, totaling $30 billion over the next decade. U.S. military aid to Israel must be suspended until the occupation ends. Military aid allows Israel to avoid making serious efforts to resolve the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, as well as other conflicts with its other neighbors. It enables the occupation, contributes to the devastation of Palestinian society, and fosters the increasing militarization of Israeli society.

Here are three ways for you to speak out:

1. Endorse the Organizational Sign-On Letter to the Appropriations Sub-Committee Challenging Military Aid to Israel Endorse our sign-on letter to the subcommittee calling for it to cut off military aid to Israel. Nearly 250 organizations from 36 states plus the District of Columbia and groups of U.S. citizens abroad have already signed the letter.

To read and sign the letter (organizations only please), click here.

2. Send a Personal Letter to Members of Congress on the Appropriations Sub-Committee Challenging Military Aid to Israel To send your own personal letter to the Members of Congress who serve on these Appropriations Subcommittees, click here.

You can also call the subcommittee and let them know you oppose military aid to Israel. Between now and Wednesday morning, call the House Appropriations Subcommittee on State, Foreign Operations and Related Programs at 202-225-2041 to express your opposition to $2.55 billion in military aid for Israel proposed in the FY2009 budget.

3. Spread the word Send your own personal letter to members of the subcommittee. Each member of the subcommittee has already received nearly 2,500 letters from individuals opposing military aid to Israel. Be sure to send your letter prior to Wednesday morning's hearing by clicking here.

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