The subject of American aid to Israel and other nations gets much media attention in The United States and throughout the world. There are many in both The United Staes and elsewhere that percive Israel as heavily dependent on American aid for it's survival. The facts contradict this perception. The economy of Israel is modern and robust.

I am an Israeli-American who believes that receiving foreign aid is harmful to Israel.

Israel's Gross National Product this year is expected to be well over two hundred billion dollars. Israel's economy is rated among the 30 strongest in the world. The world of Hi-tech has replaced agriculture, which is now the main stay of the economic boom in Israel. The traditional diamond industry still thrives. Israel is also the fourth largest exporter of arms in the world. Hi-tech companies such as IBM and Intel now permeate the scenery where orange groves once stood. Intel's vaunted Pentium chip was developed at its' Haifa location. Domestically, Israel produces 80% of its' own weaponry. Many arms experts predict that Israel will be independent in the next several years. India is Israel's largest purchaser of arms.

The economy is booming, yet Israel receives roughly 2% of its' Gross Natural Product from American foreign aid. That means, regarding 2011, Israel will receive roughly four billion dollars in American aid. That sounds like a huge sum of money to you and me, but America's GNP for 2010 was 14.7 trillion dollars.Two percent of America's economy goes to foreign aid. Virtually all of American foreign aide to Israel is for military needs. Ethiopia, Pakistan and Kenya among others receive more economic aide from The United States than Israel.

It should be the case in my opinion. Please note that one third of all American foreign aid goes to Egypt and Israel, neither of which is a developing nation.

I live in Israel, and I am a fervent nationalist. However, none of this makes sense to me. The economic benefits of American aid to Israel are minimal. The damage to the image of our country is not minimal. Israel is perceived as being weak and lacking independence to many in the world. Israel is a nation tha has been forced to fight for it's survival since the days of it's birth in 1948. The battle for survival is fought in the media as well as the military. The history of Israel and that of the Jewish people should have taught us that being self sufficient is critical to our survival.