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This conversation centers on Israel, lobbying, and US policy. Speaker 0 says he’s been very pro Israel and defender of its right to defend itself, but has 'no skin whatsoever in defending any lobbyist group,' and has declined repeated invitations to go to Israel. He notes mounting pressure to stay aligned and that he’s not on Hamas’ side, though his views have shifted since 10/08/23. Speaker 1 explains APAC is 'not registered under FARA' and describes freshman trips to Israel, meetings with government members. He notes that '3.8, billion dollars in funding for Israel' is an annual decision, that Israel is 'less than 400,000,000,000 in debt,' and that Israelis have 'government funded health care' and 'government funded college.' He questions why the US funds this given its own economic strain, citing that 'we buy money from your defense contractors' and that Israel can buy from Israeli defense contractors.

Speaker 0: Were I a Jew, I would be a Zionist. And my father pointed out to me, I did not need to be a Jew to be a Zionist, for I am. Israel is essential to security of Jews worldwide. Speaker 1: That this is not theoretical. This is not just about things that happen on Twitter. Antisemitism kills. Hate kills. Speaker 2: I come before you not only as The United States Secretary of State, but also as a Jew. My grandfather, Maurice Blinken, fled pogroms in Russia. My stepfather, Samuel Pizar, survived concentration camps, Auschwitz, Dachau, Maidanic. Speaker 3: We have a common agenda to prevent Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons and preventing Iran's aggression, maintaining the security and prosperity of this region, and seeking to expand the circle of peace. Speaker 4: On October 7, Hamas terrorists murdered nearly 1,200 people, including over 40 Americans, and kidnapped hundreds of civilians. They perpetrated the deadliest massacre of Jews since the Holocaust. Speaker 5: Holocaust. Holocaust. My grandfather fled Nazi Germany. Fled Nazi Germany. If we wanna create peace in the Middle East, resolve the conflict between Israel and the Palestinians, we don't need boycotts. We need business. We don't need divestment. We need investment. We don't need sanctions. We need startups. We need startups. They met with several Israeli companies looking to expand into The United States. Speaker 1: Actual, literal, no shit, Jews will not replace us anti Semites as very fine people. Speaker 6: I support Israel's ability to defend itself. Speaker 7: It's about time we stop those of us who support as most of us do, Israel and this body for apologizing for our support for Israel. There's no apology to be made. None. It is the best $3,000,000,000 investment we make. $3,000,000,000 investment we make. Speaker 8: two of us were brought together by Apex Education Foundation for a mission to Israel. We hear the call of our Jewish brothers and sisters. Israel was this place I had always felt an, I don't know, unexplainable pull. Speaker 5: And the Jewish people have been the recipients of boycotts for hundreds, if not thousands of years. Speaker 6: So I just had a frank and constructive meeting with prime minister Netanyahu. I told him that I will always ensure that Israel is able to defend itself, including from Iran and Iran backed militias such as Hamas and Hezbollah. Speaker 3: Israelis do not need to be lectured about the importance of peace by foreign leaders. Speaker 9: Why does Israel need our help? We need to get out of their way. Speaker 6: I've said it many times, but it bears repeating. Israel has a right to defend itself. Speaker 2: The message that I bring to Israel is this. You may be strong enough on your own to defend yourself, but as long as America exists, you will never ever have to. We will always be there by your side. Speaker 1: He is a friend of the Jewish people by aligning not even with Israel, but with a certain kind of politics within Israel. And I just think that the American Jewish community are a lot smarter than that. Speaker 7: And even suggested breaking from the long standing US policies on settlements. Jerusalem. Jerusalem. Speaker 9: I was one of the few in congress that said it's none of our business, and Israel should take care of themselves. Speaker 8: Perhaps he does not know that I am the child of a holocaust survivor. Perhaps he does not know that my mother lost almost all her family at the hands of the Nazis. At the hands of the Nazis. Speaker 9: Israel has 200, 300 nuclear missiles, they can take care of themselves. Why should we commit? We don't even have a treaty with Israel. We don't even have a treaty with Israel. Speaker 7: Were there not an Israel, The United States Of America would have to invent an Israel to protect her interest in the region. Speaker 9: Why why do we have this automatic commitment that we're gonna send our kids and send our money endlessly, to to Israel?

NBC News reports that U.S. intelligence is worried about Israelis spying on top Trump administration officials, a concern the speakers say has long been known and reported. One speaker says they spoke with or communicated with an individual named as being among those targeted for espionage and that there is “a lot of anger in the Pentagon” that the government is not doing more. The speaker says at least one report indicated the concern had been elevated to critical after initially being high, while “nothing has been done at all.” The speaker adds that they are “lucky we’re even getting the reports out.” The speaker cites names allegedly involved in the espionage targeting, including Steve Witkoff, saying it is striking because Witkoff is described as being on the phone during negotiations with Benjamin Netanyahu. The speaker also references other Pentagon officials mentioned in the reporting, including officials characterized as “pro-American” and “America first folks,” stating this is “not a surprise.” The speaker emphasizes that the reported activity goes beyond spying and is “espionage,” describing it as the kind of action that would prompt immediate crisis-level response if conducted by another country against senior U.S. administration officials. They say no action has been taken to stop it, and that this is contributing to a narrative about who is “calling the shots.” The speaker also highlights a detail of timing and suppression: the information “apparently … hit the office of the Director of National Intelligence,” but was reportedly suppressed until after Congress voted on Section 224 of the NDAA, which the speaker says would link and codify the American military with the Israeli military. The speaker says it was released after that vote. They further claim that Congress is portrayed as willing participants in the arrangement, implying that the priority is linking Israel into the U.S. military structure. The speaker attributes to Benjamin Netanyahu personal priority for such a partnership, saying Netanyahu has stated that the U.S. funding of $3.8 billion is not necessary because the militaries will be linked and that the U.S. would wean off due to the partnership. The speaker concludes by arguing that such a military linkage should not occur, asserting it benefits Israel at America’s expense and saying U.S. blood has been shed because of the war they associate with Netanyahu, which they describe as directly against American interest. The speaker calls for the arrangement to end.

“If their government came out and said, we have a five year plan to decouple from USAID, would that help people's view of Israel if they said, hey, we want to be self reliant? Absolutely.” “We're now gonna decouple over the next five years and and basically transition.” “319,000,000,000 being sent to Israel over all these years, that's comparable to the amount we've sent to Ukraine.” “I believe Israel has a right to exist. I believe that they are the only state in that region with the right to exist.” “But why are we treating them differently than any other ally? Should we not be judging them, holding them to the same standard?” “Do you find it persuasive when the Israeli tourism board is bragging about how many gay pride parades they have in Tel Aviv?” “No.”

Israel encouraged and started Hamas to counteract Yasser Arafat. The speaker claims this served Israel's purpose at the time. The U.S. imposes its system on the world, such as invading Iraq to teach people how to be Democrats. The U.S. encouraged Palestinians to have a free election, and they elected Hamas. The speaker asserts the U.S. indirectly and directly, through Israel, helped establish Hamas. After Hamas became dominant through the election, the U.S. then had to kill them. The speaker concludes this does not make sense.

"The House of Representatives just passed HR eight four four five, which channels American tax dollars to the Israeli Defense Force." "This is on top of the 3,800,000,000.0 we already give them annually and the 22,000,000,000 we've given them in aid since the beginning of this war for nothing in return." "Israel's military is getting more and better benefits than our soldiers in America who are left to die on the streets from homelessness, opioids, and PTSD." "We are subsidizing the killing of 20,000 children dead in Gaza, 12,000 of them under the age of 12." "The IDF is killing one child every forty five minutes." "Both Democrats and Republicans passed this bill, and only 10 members of Congress don't take money from AIPAC between the left and the right." "If you're not angry, you're enslaved."

I've found some questionable expenditures by USAID, like the $3,000,000 given to a rap artist in Gaza who was producing anti-Israel, anti-Semitic songs. Is that really the best way to use American taxpayer money? I don't think so. During tomorrow's hearing, we will be addressing this issue, as well as the fact that the woke ideology that USAID is pushing in various parts of the world is not welcomed.

Speaker 0 argues that Israel, through its lobby, has manifested so much power over the United States Congress that the country is embroiled in wars they believe they should not be in. He states that whenever Israel is mentioned, someone claims you’re an anti-Semite, and he contends that policies in the Middle East have been one-sided and subjective, leading to many enemies and the importing of terrorists as a consequence. He asserts: “Israel through their lobby has manifested total power of the congress of the United,” and expresses a concern that taxpayers and the citizens of the United States should control their government, not a foreign entity. Speaker 1 challenges these assertions, saying: “You did. That’s not what you said. You said they’re controlling our foreign policy. They’re controlling our domestic policy.” He presses back, stating: “That quote, they are influencing and the sole control of influencing of our domestic policy is an absurdity. It sounds like you are a kook.” He explicitly disputes the idea that Israel controls the Congress and domestic policy. Speaker 0 clarifies, “I believe they control the senate and the house foreign affairs committee.” Speaker 1 repeats that claim as insane, prompting Speaker 0 to insist: “I’m not suggesting it. I served in congress for seven…,” implying a longer service and experience to support his concerns, though the sentence is cut off. The exchange centers on claims of disproportionate Israeli influence in U.S. federal policy, the objectivity of Middle East policy, and the contention that foreign lobbies, particularly related to Israel, have undue power over congressional decision-making, contrasted with direct rebuttals labeling such claims as irrational or insane.

Israel receives significant economic and military aid from the US, even when it takes actions that the US opposes. The usual explanation for this support is that Israel is a strategic asset and a democracy that shares American values. However, these arguments do not fully justify the extent of aid provided. While Israel is a democracy, its treatment of Arabs and its colonization of the West Bank contradict American values. The historical case for Israel's existence based on anti-Semitism does not warrant unconditional support. The main reason for Israel's privileged position is believed to be the influence of the Israel lobby.

A travel nurse claims Israelis can come to the US for free medical procedures, including organ donations, with flights and hospital stays paid. She alleges that if a US hospital offers something better than in Israel, or if they need an organ, Israelis can receive American organ donations for free, while Americans could face $70,000 in medical bills for the same. She states that half of the patients on one floor were often Israeli and that one patient received a heart and lung transplant within a week of arriving in the US, while Americans may wait years. She questions how Americans struggle to pay for healthcare while Israelis receive free healthcare in both Israel and the US, especially since US tax money supports both countries' healthcare systems.

Charlie Kirk is accused of critiquing Israel’s actions in Gaza during this summit, with claims that he is supposed to be a Christian conservative. A number of participants argue that critiques of Israel are being framed as anti-Semitism, while others emphasize that disagreeing with the current Israeli government or questioning AIPAC does not automatically make someone anti-Semitic. One participant says the repeated “anti-Semitism” labeling is being used as an excuse to “spout anti-Semitism.” They argue that people treat Israel as sacred while demanding reduced involvement, referencing uncertainty about “Messiah” and “Reminds me of the CIA.” Another participant responds that an ally should treat an ally differently, and claims they are told that criticizing AIPAC is anti-Semitic. A participant states they have “concerns about AIPAC,” describing it as a prioritization problem: citizens vote and pay attention to American interests, but “a separate group gets higher priority.” Another participant says the entirety of the idea of a PAC is to represent a group, but criticizes allowing a group they claim “doesn’t even represent American interests” to influence representatives. They also claim that only about 20 members across the Senate and House are fully doing the work of the American people. The discussion includes examples of anti-Semitic accusations being dismissed. One participant says they do not hate Jews, and argues that defending a nation should not be treated as hatred. Another participant compares the dynamic to how “racism” is used—if people disagree, they are called names without proof, based on inability to “prove them wrong.” On Israel aid, a participant says the U.S. sends almost $4 billion to Israel “every year,” totaling $319 billion adjusted to inflation since 1948, and says this makes them upset. They argue the money could be better spent supporting an economy at home, including homes, rather than military strikes. They respond to a hypothetical five-year plan for Israel to decouple from USAID by saying Israel could be self-reliant, with balanced budgets and a sovereign wealth fund, and that such a transition would make people think higher of Israel and stop constant discussion. Religious references are raised, including Genesis 12.3 and Romans 9-6, and the conversation notes someone describing being ethnically Jewish and having concerns about AIPAC. A final exchange asks whether canceling Tucker would change anti-Semitism levels; one participant says it would increase because supporters would be treated as anti-Semites by association. The conversation ends with a claim that there is an “earthquake” coming on the issue that others do not believe, and urges hearing it “from people themselves.”

With the money that we, the taxpayers, have given Israel over the last seventy five years, they are now able to give families a monthly child allowance for each child they have, income support, unemployment benefits, housing assistance, free health care, and free education through university. So I ask again, why are we okay making it possible for Israelis to do that. But when it comes to our country, a whole group of people are totally against the idea of universal health care and free education. I need someone to explain to me why it's okay to fund their abilities to do that. No ally of The United States should be allowed to do or say whatever they want without any consequences from us, not when we give them billions of dollars every single year. And none of what I'm saying is even delving into the fact that what the Israeli government is doing with all the military assistance that we've given them.

Why are we, as American taxpayers, funding social programs in Israel that many Americans oppose here at home? With our tax dollars, Israel can provide its citizens with monthly child allowances, income support, unemployment benefits, housing assistance, free healthcare, and free education through university. Yet, many of us are against universal healthcare and free education in our own country. It doesn't make sense to me that we can fund these things for Israelis but not for our own people. And this doesn't even consider the military assistance we provide, which seems to allow Israel to act without consequences, despite our financial support.

The U.S. has contributed more to Israel's defense budget than Israel itself in the last three years. This year, the U.S. gave nearly $3.1 billion to Israel, making it the top recipient of American foreign aid. This occurs while many Americans struggle with finances, senior citizens can't afford medications, veterans are underserved, and schools are closing. Israel ranks among the top 30 richest countries, yet receives a large lump sum of aid upfront, allowing it to accumulate interest while the U.S. pays interest on the borrowed money. Additionally, the U.S. gives billions to Egypt and Jordan to discourage them from opposing Israeli policies, adding to the financial burden. With presidential elections approaching and promises to cut spending to address the $16 trillion debt, some argue the U.S. should prioritize its own needs.

The speaker criticizes the support for Benjamin Netanyahu, calling him corrupt, despotic, and responsible for worsening the conflict with Palestinians. They argue that Netanyahu diverts attention from domestic concerns in Israel by focusing on security threats. The speaker claims that America disregards Israel's domestic and socioeconomic issues, such as the high cost of living and corruption. They believe that America only cares about perpetuating conflict and does not prioritize the welfare and stability of Israel or its citizens. The speaker suggests that Israel is seen as a policy instrument by the United States, rather than a country with its own concerns.

Israel is a democracy and an ally. One speaker believes Israel has a powerful stranglehold on the American government, controlling members of the House and Senate. They claim Israel has the U.S. involved in wars of little or no interest, bankrupting the nation and resulting in American children returning in body bags. The speaker asserts that Israel controls much of U.S. foreign and domestic policy, influencing the media and commerce, and that they "own the congress." They allege Wolfowitz, as under secretary of defense, manipulated President Bush to go back into Iraq and pushed to move into Iran. When asked if they are an anti-Semite, the speaker denies it, stating that this is what they will say. They claim the U.S. has a one-sided foreign policy in the Mideast, alienating Arabs who then export violence to America. They state Israel gets approximately $15 billion a year from American taxpayers, which is $30,000 for every man, woman, and child.

Speaker argues the United States is Israel's last large ally besides the UK, with a large cost and limited perspective due to lies from the political class and media. They blame U.S. elected leaders for decades of misrepresentation. Citing Nikki Haley's 2023 Republican primary debate, the quote: "Last thing we need to do is to tell Israel what to do. The only thing we should be doing is supporting them and eliminating Hamas. It is not that Israel needs America. America needs Israel." The speaker contends this is inverted: "Israel could not survive without The United States." American backing funds Israeli wars and social services; "every dollar that goes to the Israeli military from The United States is a dollar that the nation of Israel can spend on its own people." Haley wasn't asked to explain, and questioning geopolitics is feared as antisemitic, leading to "a state of perpetual intimidation" and "We have not had an honest conversation about this ever."

"In the past three years, Americans have paid more for Israel's defense budget than Israelis themselves, according to the Israeli army's former chief of staff." "The United States gave nearly $3,100,000,000 to Israel this year, making it the number one contributor of American foreign aid." "And yet during this time, we're giving a huge amount of money to Israel." "Israel ranks among the top 30 richest countries in the world, while some of the poorest countries only see a fraction of that amount in USAID." "According to the Congressional Research Center, once dispersed, Israel's military aid is transferred to an interest bearing account with the Federal Reserve Bank." "This means Americans are paying interest on the billions of dollars given to Israel, while Israel accumulates interest on those same billions."

Speaker claims: "Israel has an overwhelming lobby over the United States government, and we have unconditionally supported them." He cites "BB Netanyahu came to our congress in the nineties, told us a list of countries that we need to take out. Some were Syria, Iraq, Iran, Libya, etcetera." He adds "Through those wars, we have lost trillions of dollars" and "We have lost American servicemen." He asserts "They don't teach about the USS Liberty, where Israel literally came, blew up an American ship because they want us to get in their war with, Egypt and they don't teach that in school." He asks "Why is there this societal taboo around criticisms of Israel? For example, APAC doesn't have to register as a foreign lobby, but like the Australia lobby does. And the it just That should be changed. I That should be corrected." Finally, "Look. I I am not gonna say Israel should have any special privileges. None."

Speaker 3 said he has been told that criticizing AIPAC makes him anti-Semitic. Speaker 1 called that “ridiculous.” Speaker 3 said it feels good to have concern for one’s country and asked whether AIPAC represents a “cutting in line of prioritization” away from the American people—meaning that although Americans vote and are citizens, a separate group gets higher priority. Speaker 0 responded that the point of a PAC is to represent a group, but said there is a “huge problem” with allowing a group that does not represent American interests to influence people who are supposed to represent Americans. Speaker 0 said he has previously stated that he thinks only “like 20 representatives between Senate and the House” fully do the work of the American people without the interests of some group pulling their sway. Speaker 1 said that “over since 1948” the amount amounts to “$319 billion adjusted to inflation” and argued that there are multiple things the money could have been spent on at home instead of military strikes for Israel. Speaker 1 said the money could have been better allocated toward supporting an economy that would help the current generation afford homes. Speaker 3 asked what else would improve views if Israel’s government presented a “five-year plan to decouple from us aid,” including moving toward self-reliance, and noted that Israel is a rich country that has balanced its budget and money in a sovereign wealth fund. He asked whether people would think more highly of Israel if it stopped relying on U.S. aid and if the issue were talked about less. Speaker 2 agreed that people should be less focused on labeling, saying that the word “racism” is used when there is disagreement and that “we just have to call them a name.” Speaker 2 said he does not think people are anti-Semitic, arguing that people “just can’t agree with them” and can’t “prove them wrong,” so they “throw a word out” like “anti-Semitic” because they think the U.S. should stop sending money there. Speaker 3 said, “thank you” and noted that some people he tells “must get more aggressive.”

The speaker asserts that American tax dollars should not fund alleged Israeli war crimes. They express outrage that American taxpayers struggling for a better life are forced to give billions to the Israeli government and the IDF, while being silenced from criticizing. The speaker condemns APAC as evil, questioning whether Americans are okay with a lobbying group representing a foreign government dictating that they must work hard and have their earnings funneled to Israel to commit atrocities in Gaza. The speaker emphasizes their anger at those who feel entitled to American money.

The speaker criticizes the United States for claiming to support Palestinian civilians in Gaza while providing significant military aid to Israel. They question how this aligns with international humanitarian and human rights laws, as well as commitments to avoid explosive weapons in populated areas. The speaker highlights the increase in stock prices of weapons manufacturers during the Israeli bombardment of Gaza and asserts that the United States has profited from war throughout its history. They emphasize that neither Israel, the United States, nor arms manufacturers should profit from the harm inflicted on Palestinian civilians, and call for an end to arms sales to Israel.

We should not be spending money to support Israel. Our aid should not be going towards building a fort for them. We need to focus on our own interests and not waste resources on humanitarian aid.

Speaker 0: Do we need this connection with Israel? What is it? No one ever explains what it's for. I feel like. Right? That would help everybody have a much better understanding, you know, because it starts to feel like America is just a shell company, an LLC for Israel. That's what it starts to feel like a lot of times, you know? Do you feel like that that's realistic, or do you feel like that that's off base? Speaker 1: I would I wouldn't send them a dime. Like, that's my position. I don't think whatever we're getting isn't worth it.

The speaker asks how much support the U.S. gives to Israel. The response is approximately $3 billion a year in military assistance. It is asserted that this military assistance is the only assistance Israel receives from the U.S. There is a memorandum of understanding (MOU) for the $3 billion annual amount.