U.S. Will Likely Donate $900M To Gaza

Clinton To Attend Donors Conference To Determine How Much Aid Gaza Needs

(CBS/AP)  The United States will likely donate more than $900 million for the reconstruction of Gaza, a U.S. official said Monday, as U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton prepared to attend a donors conference for the war-ravaged territory next week.

Israeli and Palestinian officials said earlier Monday that Clinton will visit Israel and the West Bank during the first week of March for her first trip to the region as America's top diplomat.

CBS News correspondent Robert Berger reports that when Clinton was First Lady she developed warm ties with Israel and is seen as a good friend of the Jewish state. But with hawkish Likud party leader Benjamin Netanyahu set to become prime minister, many believe U.S.-Israel relations are heading for trouble. Netanyahu opposes the U.S. push for a Palestinian state.

Clinton said during her Asia trip this month that she would attend an international donors conference in Egypt on March 2 to discuss reconstruction in Gaza.

She provided no other details, but a U.S. official in the United States said Monday that the Obama administration's donation will likely top $900 million in humanitarian and rebuilding aid to the Palestinian Authority to help Gaza recover from Israel's offensive against Hamas last month.

The official, who spoke on condition of anonymity because the donation had not received final approval, said the exact amount was still to be determined.

Gaza reconstruction is off to a slow start, reports Berger, because the U.S., Europe and Israel want to bypass Hamas. They don't want cement and other raw materials to go to rebuilding Hamas bunkers and smuggling tunnels instead of Palestinian homes.

The U.S. official told the Associated Press that the aid would not go to Hamas. The U.S. recognizes the West Bank-based government of Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas and has no formal contacts with the Islamic militant group Hamas, which runs a separate Palestinian administration in the Gaza Strip.

The Israeli officials, meanwhile, said Clinton will arrive in Israel on March 2 for meetings with the country's top leaders. Israel is currently ruled by a caretaker government as Likud Party leader Benjamin Netanyahu cobbles together a new coalition.

The Israeli officials spoke on condition of anonymity because the visit had not been announced by the State Department, which has not released Clinton's schedule for next week.

Yasser Abed Rabbo, a senior aide to Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, said Clinton also would visit the West Bank during her stay.

[stevador39]

ISRAEL DID IT. LET ISRAEL PAY FOR IT. AND CUT OFF AID TO ISRAEL.

[trapbreaking]

They whine about the $2.8 billion the U.S. gives Israel of which 75% is to be spent back here in the U.S., , but nothing about the $900 million to Gaza.

.

[batchitcrazy]

I dont want them to show me it, I want to take it home and STUDY it. Im not gonna blindly believe what some bearded old man has to say.
Posted by anti-zion at 6:10 AM : Feb 25, 2009
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As far as I know the "true" Torahs are only written in the original Hebrew language, like Islam, the Quran is only accepted as "true" when written in arabic.
There are most likely copies translated of the Torah but these wouldn't be good enough for study purposes as something could be lost in translation as the saying goes.
Why not surf the net for the info you need.

[batchitcrazy]

I meant to say I tried to GET one to read. I couldn't.
Posted by anti-zion at 5:52 AM : Feb 25, 2009
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If you are really interested you might try going down to the local Synagog and politely ask the Rabbi to show you theirs and maybe you could have a discussion with him about the Torah and your views

[batchitcrazy]

Ive never seen one, I have never read one, and oh have I tried. Go to the library and they have all religious books except for the Torah.
Posted by anti-zion at 5:12 AM : Feb 25, 2009
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Just what does the Torah have to do with this discussion?
Also you say you have never seen one but you have tried to read one... don't make any sense

[batchitcrazy]

screw israel and jews
Posted by guycool28 at 12:41 AM : Feb 25, 2009
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Wow, how articulate your are with words... been a long time since I've seen such a precise, concise and informative comment...

Your comment also goes against the Rules of Engagement for this site... "The posting of advertisements, profanity, or personal attacks is prohibited. By using this Web site you agree to accept our Terms of Service.

[fundu2009]

y dont they donate that money to the american people...what have they done for us

[mrzerato]

If we support israel, why are we going to help rebuild gaza. I think the Saudis and Kuwait are in a better position to support gaza than are we.

[realworld6]

Almost a trillion dollars to those who vote in a terrorist government devoted to the destruction of Israel and Jews everywhere. Remember, these are people who have fired 8000 rockets onto Israeli towns, schools... Not to mention palestinian favorite terror tactic, suicide bombers (including women and children). Also, hamas steals any aid for their own people that comes in from those countries that are foolish enough to try and help another terrorist controlled territory. Be aware that hamas terrorizes their own people and control what goes into Gaza. You know, missiles and arms smuggled in tunnels from Egypt. Even most of the Arab states recognize what an evil regime controls Gaza and they stayed out of this legitimate defensive action.

NO! do not give this money to them until hamas is deposed. I would much rather give the money to Americans. Or to Israel to help with their defense from these animals.

[longtree-2009]

donating 900 million of taxpayer monies to palestinians, hamas, hezbollah, and arabs that danced in their streets after bin laden attacked the WTC in NY successfully is an insult to all American citizens. 900 million of taxpayer monies should be used for millions of americans out of work in this economy NOT for the nation's enemies. obama should be impeached for giving aid and comfort to terrorists, America's enemies. hillary should be twice ashamed as a former senator of the state of New York. Obama should be impeached for this if the money is given to the gaza.