The question of military credits and US economic grants to Israel continued to hang fire in Congress but the general feeling today was that Israel ultimately will get substantial American aid in both areas. The House is preparing to vote on a continuing resolution for foreign aid that would continue expenditures through March 15, 1972, at the 1971 level. The measure is intended to fill the gap until the Senate acts on pending foreign aid legislation. It would be expected to provide $500 million in military credits for Israel, the same amount provided in last year’s bill.
The Senate Appropriations Committee was considering today a foreign aid bill passed by the House Dec. 8 which does not allocate any specific sum for Israel but contains an overall provision of $500 million. The report accompanying the bill recommends the sum of $300 million in military credits for Israel. The report also states that Israel is eligible for an economic assistance grant without specifying a sum.
In discussions on the floor, however, some members have mentioned as much as $100 million for Israel. The Senate Appropriations Committee, in its authorization bill for foreign aid, provided $85 million in economic grants to Israel. A specific sum could be established by the Senate-House conference committee. The latter has before it the Defense Appropriations Act which contains the amendment of Sen. Henry M. Jackson (D.,Wash.) earmarking $500 million in new military credits for Israel.
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