El-Sayed Calls for End to US Aid to Israel and Pakistan
Newly elected US Senator Mr. Abdul El-Sayed has called for a review of the military and financial aid the United States gives to countries such as Pakistan, Egypt, Jordan and Israel. He said Washington should act against any country that uses American money to break international law.
Mr. Abdul El-Sayed is the first Muslim US Senator. His remarks came after India recently objected to Islamabad receiving international financial aid.
Mr. El-Sayed is a doctor and an expert on epidemics. He made history by winning a seat in the US Senate from Michigan as the first Muslim to do so. He ran as a candidate of the Democratic Party and defeated Republican candidate Mr. Mike Rogers. After his win, he said clearly that US taxpayers’ money should not be used to support any country accused of breaking international law.
In an interview with ABC, Mr. El-Sayed said the United States must make sure its own actions follow international law. He said the issue should not be limited to Israel. He said: “How do we make sure we are committed to international law? This is not only about Israel. I hold the same view on Egypt, where my family came from as immigrants. My words are the same on Pakistan and Jordan too. We need to be at the front in applying international law.”
He added: “When we give money to a country and that country uses it to break international law, I think that is the right place to start taking action.” His response came at a time when US President Mr. Donald Trump has said he plans to end, by the end of this year, the military aid of about 4 billion dollars a year to Israel.
Earlier, after his election win, Mr. El-Sayed welcomed President Mr. Trump’s proposal to cut military aid to Israel. He said he agrees with the President on this policy. He said: “I think the President is actually making the right decision on this policy.”
Mr. El-Sayed also demanded limits on the sale of US weapons to Israel. He said some of the weapons Washington supplies are being used in operations that he described as genocide and apartheid.
