The Senate, in sharp debate over a $1,7 billion foreign military aid authorization bill, voted Friday to approve an additional $35 million in military aid to Israel. The sum is in addition to $50 million in security supporting assistance and $300 million in military sales credits already ear-marked for Israel in the measure. The Senate has yet to complete debate on the aid bill and must adopt an appropriations bill to fund it. Israel benefited from a tug-of-war between Administration and Democratic forces over the restoration of $245 million slashed from the Administration’s request for worldwide military aid.
Senate Minority Leader Hugh Scott (R.Pa.), in an apparent appeal to pro-Israel sentiments in the Senate, proposed $20 million in military aid for Israel beyond the original $50 million. Sen. Frank Church (D. Idaho) countered with another $15 million for Israel. Both added sums were approved but the remainder of the $245 million package was rejected by a 37-35 vote. The total for Israel now stands at $85 million in addition to the $300 sales credits. The amount could be reduced when the Senate votes an appropriations bill to fund the foreign aid authorizations.
The Archive of the Jewish Telegraphic Agency includes articles published from 1923 to 2008. Archive stories reflect the journalistic standards and practices of the time they were published.
