Date: October 29, 2000
Topic: Business/Economic
Author: William Reed
Article ID: article_ema102900a

Blacks vs. Jews: It's About Who Gets The Money Stupid!

Israel's battle against the Palestinian uprising has put the United States and Israel at odds with  Arabs and many Muslim and Third World nations sympathizers.  There is concern among people of color that the U.S. is tilted strongly toward Israel, not sufficiently sympathetic to Arabs.  This issue is testing African-American attitudes regarding preferences and our interests.

 There is little question that tensions and estrangement have exacerbated between African Americans and Jews.  Business and political clout among six million Jewish-Americans overshadows that of 30 million Black Americans - domestic and foreign.  Compare the differences of the levels of power: While African-American politicos wane about domestic policy issues that deny Black Americans sufficient redress to this nation's "benign neglect," Jewish clout gets whatever is needed for Israel.  Rev. Andrew Young, America's first and only Ambassador to the United Nations, knows it firsthand - he was booted out of the top UN job after holding secret meetings with Palestinian officials.

This nation's urban areas are blighted, decaying and in need of large infusions of development aid.  But, while Congressional Black Caucus members can't get government largess to help these black-dominated enclaves, these legislators - recipients of much Jewish PAC money - are front and center in passage of legislation for aid monies to an already affluent Israel.  Congressional concern for Israel gives it one-fifth of all U.S. foreign aid - $3 billion a year, equal to $500 for each of its 6 million citizens.  For all the talk Clinton gave Blacks about the need for economic revitalization on our cities, where's the $3 billion a year - like Israel gets annually - that Clinton and Black Caucus members could have earmarked for growth in African-American areas?

While we hold our cup out for Clinton's help, note that if the Camp David Peace Talks had been successful, Clinton was prepared to give Israel more than $17 billion more over the next 10 years.  Black Members of Congress can't even get a bill to study Black Reparations out of a committee but, the Camp David Deal was willing to pay Israel an additional $1.2 billion in reparations for land it hands over to Palestinians.

Black politicians and major civil rights groups are part and parcel to Jewish issues and influence but, there is some balking among local-level African-American activists.  Former Dallas NAACP president, Lee Alcorn, and Nation of Islam leader Minister Louis Farrakhan voiced concern about placing Joseph Lieberman on the Gore Presidential Ticket.

 While African American issues and concern have faltered in Democratic-and-Republican-majority Congresses, Jewish patron, Israel, has received more money from the U.S. than any country in history. In 51 years of existence, Israelis have gotten $66 billion in U.S. grants plus $15 billion in loans.

Blacks have a right to be testy about our issues being overshadowed by Jewish political and business clout. As our urban areas continue declining from benign neglect, Israel grows wealthier and better able to stand on its own. Israel's 2001 budget is about $50 billion. In 1999, its per capita gross domestic product was $18,300. The economy is in a high-tech boom and, this past summer, Israeli officials cut $300 million in taxes on stereos, refrigerators and other electric alliances, in anticipation of state budget surpluses.

To get proper redress, Blacks should start clamoring for more. Black groups that get government contracts and grants need to be held to the same standards as the U.S. demands in aid programs to Israel.  The aid to Israel is special in its volume and the leeway it has spending it.  Israeli aid is given on freer terms than to any other country.  It's the only county that gets the money up front each  year.  They can then invest it, or lend some back to the U.S. in interest-earning bonds.  Should we accept any less from our officials?

© 2002 William Reed - www.BlackPressInternational.com