US likely to reduce Israel loans in barrier spat

[Socialist Christian]

http://www.alertnet.org/thenews/newsdesk/N20417764.htm

<snip>
WASHINGTON, Nov 20 (Reuters) - In a rare break with Israel, the White House is likely to start making small deductions from a $9 billion package of U.S. loan guarantees for the cost of construction of a barrier through some Palestinian areas, people close to the deliberations said on Thursday.

White House officials insisted no decisions had been made about any deductions for the Israeli barrier. But congressional sources said the first deductions could be announced as early as next week and could top $220 million. Additional cuts could be made from future loan installments.

Critics of the proposed deductions say they would be so small as to have no impact on construction of the barrier, which Israel says it is building to prevent Palestinian militants from entering Israeli territory and launching attacks.

Palestinians describe it as a new "Berlin Wall" that grabs territory and reflects an attempt to create a political border.

[loudnclear]

1. "Reduce?"

Did we ask other nations to "reduce" financial support to those we called "terrorist organizations and supporters?" I think we said "stop" funding or "cut off" funding of such groups. Well....

[Resistance]

2. apparently

murdering Palestinian civilians and bulldozing their homes doesn't count as "terrorism"