Israeli Foreign Minister Shimon Peres requested $800 million in supplementary US aid to Israel in a letter he sent to US Secretary of State Colin Powell two weeks ago, reported Haaretz on Sunday.
In the letter, Peres justifies the request by “alluding to strategic threats posed by Iran and Iraq.”
Although the US promised the Jewish state more financial aid a year ago, a pledge made by former US president Bill Clinton to then Israeli prime minister Ehud Barak, the new Bush administration has decided to review the matter.
According to the paper, Peres and Israeli Prime Minister Sharon raised the issue during visits to Washington in past months, but Israel did not furnish its official request for the money until two weeks ago.
The Bush administration, said the paper, began unofficial consultations on Capitol Hill last week about Israel's request for more money.
US aid to Israel totals $6 billion a year – Albawaba.com
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