Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is examining a plan to seal off humanitarian aid to northern Gaza in an attempt to starve out Hamas militants.

cross-posted from: https://lemmy.ml/post/21382196

By JULIA FRANKEL
Updated 6:38 AM EDT, October 14, 2024

[unbelievable - of course Biden and Harris will go along with no complaint]

  • xmunk@sh.itjust.works
    5·
    1 month ago

    Isreal is deeply reliant on the US in so many ways that if the US cut off offensive arms shipments Netanyahu would still need to kiss America’s ass or face severe economic stress… and if the US went so far as to embargo Isreal the economy would literally collapse and the country would likely face immediate food shortage issues as all its neighbors would start an embargo as well - including the absolutely vital Egypt.

    • Carrolade@lemmy.worldEnglish
      41·
      1 month ago

      I think that’s some wishful thinking. An actual embargo of non-military trade with an American ally after an attack would be very unpopular with moderate American voters. Additionally, there are other trading partners in the world.

      If you’re just talking about non-military aid, that’s not a very large sum of money to lose. Few million here and there.

      https://www.foreignassistance.gov/cd/israel/

      Pretty sure Egypt is a net food importer too, not an exporter.

      https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2023/9/5/egypt-reliant-on-imports-buys-more-russian-wheat

      • xmunk@sh.itjust.works
        3·
        1 month ago

        I’d clarify that most of my statement was specific to a military embargo - the rest of my statement was just emphasizing how much more Isreal had to lose if they managed to piss off America to that point… I also think it’s unlikely that America would ever embargo Isreal.

        I mentioned Egypt not because they’re a direct food exporter but because they control the Sueze Canal and nearly all Isreali food import is coming through there - a restriction of Isreali bound ships through the canal would literally kill the country - domestic food production and European imports (now that Ukraine is off the table) is absolutely insufficient.

        • Carrolade@lemmy.worldEnglish
          11·
          1 month ago

          You’d have to close both the Suez and the Strait of Gibraltar, otherwise you’re just raising the price. Also, embargos are “I won’t trade with you.” They usually don’t involve blockades or closing of sea lanes. An embargo is a passive action, you’re just stopping doing something. An actual halting of neutral merchants passing through your waters is an active measure, you’re taking an action that harms both the target and cuts into the profits of the merchants that would otherwise be making money. It’s a bolder action overall.

          But yea, theoretically possible.

    • SloppyPuppy@lemmy.world
      1·
      1 month ago

      Also US is very dependent on Israel’s military as well. Its the ONLY place in the world US can test its weapons and technology on “live production”. Also the money that it sends to Israel every year is in EMF form. Israel can only use this on US soil with US companies. Its basically money the US gov spends on boosting its defense industry and technology.

      Also unrelated to security, many big US tech companies base their RND in Israel. Including Google, Nvidia, facebook, Amazon and mostly Intel. Intel researches, develops, tests and produces all their chips in Israel. All those companies and many more will be deeply impacted by sanctions to Israel.

      US and Israel’s intelligence community is deeply intertwined. Each country is deeply based on each other over technology, means, equipment. FBI and CIA cannot compromise that.