Billboard shows chutzpah

Recently, I was appalled to observe the chutzpah of the large billboard on the edge of downtown Spokane that stated: “Stand Up for Israel.” One can’t even imagine such a billboard touting any other foreign country.

Israel obviously is the most advanced state in the Middle East. I have spent time in Israel, and even volunteered on a kibbutz in my youth. I find Israeli citizens in general to be educated, industrious and tough. It is not surprising that they have literally created an oasis in the desert.

The issue is the responsibility of American taxpayers to subsidize the Israeli experiment. We have sent more money to Israel than any other country since World War II; billions of dollars every year. At the same time, the U.S. government claims it has no money to rebuild crumbling infrastructure here at home.

The recent Benjamin Netanyahu/Likud Party victory does not portend well for peace in the region. However, American politicians have to deal with this situation wisely, unlike the shameless congressional Republicans groveling for contributions from lobbyists for Israel. Otherwise, we will see endless wars, and when the American taxpayer hears the word “Israel” they will painfully clutch their wallet.

Chris Haralam

Spokane