Congress has refused to appropriate sufficient funds to combat the Zika virus. Yet the Obama administration is inking a deal to give billions of tax dollars to Israel to purchase U.S. weapons ("U.S. seals deal to give Israel record $38B in military aid," Sept. 14). And the article pointed out that right-wing Sen. Lindsay Graham is upset with the deal as "he believes Israel should receive more aid."
The Israeli government is a recognized human rights violator and thus should not receive any aid from the United States. Most importantly, it should not be allowed to obtain U.S. weapons technology. This aid package and weapons deal will be used to further suppress the Palestinian population. Allegedly, the Obama administration is opposed to the "much-criticized settlements in the West Bank," but for venal reasons decided to ignore the obvious.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is no friend of the Obama administration but is being rewarded for his bad behavior. There was so much hope for transformative change when President Barack Obama was first elected. However, as he concludes his second term, I realize Mr. Obama lacked the courage to say no to Israeli human rights abuses.
Max Obuszewski, Baltimore