Judging from past experiences. the Government of Israel estimates that over $30 billion in goods and services will be imported from United States businesses. While the approval of the loan guarantees is a winning proposition for the American economy. failure to approve them would be disastrous for Israel. Guaranteed loans are essential for Israels absorption of immigrants. especially since the Israelis are already heavily taxed to meet their national security needs. In 1991 alone. Israel will have to spend over 20 percent of its budget on immigrant absorption. The harsh reality is that former Soviet immigrants are only permitted to leave with about $100 and a few belongings. the recently rescued Ethiopian Jews came to Israel with even less. Because of these circumstances. the cost to .transport these immigrants to Israel. feed. house. and then assimilate them into the culture and economy is astounding. Estimates are that it will cost more than $50 billion to settle the immigrants. The situation is analogous to the United States absorbing some 60 million people. or the entire population of France. The challenge of emancipating and resettling over 1 million Soviet and Ethiopian Jews has been a moral quest for many in Congress over the years. including myself. Now that this historical opportunity has finally arrived. we must meet the obligation of ensuring their welfare. To abandon the cause of these immigrants at this stage and link it to political considerations is immoral and just simply wrong. I sincerely hope that the administration will recognize the concerns of Congress and reconsider providing Israel. with the loan guarantees it so desperately needs and deserves. To better communicate the urgency and the case for the loan guarantees.
Keywords matched
immigrant immigrants