Unlike Vietnam. the real politik and natural resources of the Middle East are important to our security and the security of Western Europe. These differences between the two conflicts convince me that a militarily strong State of Israel is vital to our national interest. This foreign aid bill is a key element in the maintenance of a strong Israel. Israel is strained to capacity by the crushing burden of its defense costs and the cost of absorbing a welcome but formidable influx of Soviet refugees. Israels defense budget now amounts to between onequarter and onethird of its gross national product. As a result of this cost and the cost of absorbing Soviet emigrees.
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refugees