Israel is self-sufficient in some aspects, not in others. Take their weapons manufacturing. Israel used to depend on us to supply them with M-16's, for example. They found the weapon inadequate (I don't blame them, I hate the AR platform. Ugh.) so they started building their own variants of the AK 47 with upgrades called a "Gallil." Now the Israeli defense forces all use Galil AK's. But when it comes to aircraft, for example, that's different. If you see an Israeli Apache, it's made in the US of A. F-35 fighters the Jews use are American-made. Hellfire missiles and Tamir Interceptor missiles the Israelis use are American.
Is it true they don't need our financial help? I doubt it. On one hand, they rank like 19 on the human growth development index, but also how much of their success is thanks to us being their #1 trade partner? They have zip for natural resources. They excel in tourism, diamond-cutting, telecommunications, have a strong technology sector, pharmaceuticals, and textile industry, etc. The majority of their success is in concert with American companies and American trade. Our aid to them militarily is part of the synergy between economies.
Could Israel function militarily without us? Absolutely. Would it be as robust, respected, dangerous, and feared without us? NO WAY.
People in here don't like Israel. I get that. And they don't like us aiding Israel. I get that, too. But we have to look at logistics. Iran is dangerous. And they grow more dangerous all the time! Iraq is dangerous. There are terrorists and Islamic fanatics all over the M.E. Who are our real friends there? Iran? Laughable. Saudi Arabia? They shake our hand and allow us to have air bases there and do oil deals with one hand, with their other hand they support Wahabi lunatics who build terrorist infrastructure. Who else is our friend? Egypt? Nope. Syria? Thanks to libs like Obama obsessing about Assad, they're not our buddies. Lebanon? Jordan? They're fairly weak. Kuwait? Is Kuwait's military going to be a check on the power of Iran, etc.? Nope. Their army is the size of the local Daughters of the American Revolution.
We have allies just as Russia does. Russia is currently helping Assad because they want his regime in tact. They like the logistics, the trade benefits, and a friend in the region to bolster their influence. The Americans like Israel and use them as a proxy presence. People are ok with Russia aiding Assad, but Israel getting help from the Americans is somehow bothersome.
Personally, I think we DO give Israel too much $$$$. But then again, I think we give EVERYBODY too much money! I wish we'd yank ALL foreign aid right now and fix this broken nation I'm living in!
I hate to point this out because it may border on the uncharitable, but this is totally a nonsensical question. I haven't said that the Jewish state should be dismantled; I just don't agree with giving Israel monetary support. Not giving Israel foreign aid is not the same as wiping the country off the face of the planet. It exists, and its neighbors need to learn to deal with that. However, the country does not need our financial assistance, and the Israeli military is probably better than the U.S. military.
