Link to article: https://www.reuters.com/world/us/military-aid-israel-removed-us-bill-fund-government-2021-09-21/
This past Tuesday, September 21, Democratic lawmakers transferred $1 billion from military funding for Israel to fund the US government, which was met with disdain by liberals in the House of Representatives. Due to this, party leaders pledged that they would revive the issue later this week. Disputes during debate also took place over providing more funding to Israel for it to be able to replenish its “Iron Dome” missile defense system, which uses anti-missile missiles to intercept rockets fired by Hamas mid-air and protect Israel. After adjourning briefly over the dispute, leaders of the Appropriation Committee pledged that they would include a defense spending bill for Israel’s “Iron Dome” later this year. The US has already provided over $1.6 billion to Israel for the development and building of the “Iron Dome” system, which has been met with controversy since Israel has caused many Palestinian casualties through retaliation against Hamas rockets.
Many US citizens oppose Israel’s continued encroachment on Palestinian territory and the apparent oppression of Palestinians that must go through Israeli territory to continue everyday life. Due to this, it is likely that many of the Democratic lawmakers that removed the military funding for Israel were working to appease the wishes of the citizens that they represent. Additionally, extreme amounts of money have already been drained into the US alone to combat the continued pandemic, which would provide incentive to stop the further spending of $1 billion for a state that continues to overreach into Palestinian territory. The clear barrier to cutting Israeli funding is the desiral of the US to maintain diplomatic relations with Israel due to common interests and common foes in the Middle East and Asia such as Iran. If funding continues to be stopped, Israel will need to devise a way to defend themselves from Hamas rockets or figure out how to replenish their “Iron Dome,” otherwise the situation may take a turn where the Hamas actually stand a fighting chance.
This situation relates to International Relations in many ways such as the overarching theme of International Security. Furthermore, this article details the relations between two states while also mentioning the nation of Palestine, which is also a non-recognized state, and how it influences this issue. The Non-State Actor known as Hamas is also present in this article. The Principle of Reciprocity is demonstrated twofold in this situation, with the US providing military aid to Israel in the hopes that Israel will continue to assist the US with its involvement in the Middle East, as well as the disadvantageous side being described by the retaliation of Israel following rocket strikes by Hamas.