The Bush administration's budget supplement request includes a $50 million grant for Israel to build border crossings in the separation fence.
The Bush administration yesterday submitted to Congress a supplementary budget request for $81.9 billion for the 2005 fiscal year to finance the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. The request includes a $50 million grant for Israel to build border crossings in the separation fence.
Israel's Ambassador to the US Daniel Ayalon said, "Israel thanks the administration for the grant, which will contribute toward improving the quality of life of Palestinians in the West Bank."
The US grant, together with $250 million budgeted by the Israeli government, will be used to build five border crossings in the separation fence, which will be equipped with sophisticated devices to facilitate the rapid movement of goods and people. Minister of Economic Affairs at the Israeli Embassy in Washington Boaz Raday met with senior White House and State Department officials to persuade them of the project's importance.
The administration's budget supplement request also includes $200 million for the Palestinians, in addition to the $150 million included in the 2006 appropriations bill. The budget supplement request also includes $200 million for Jordan.
Published by Globes [online], Israel business news - www.globes.co.il - on February 15, 2005