US APPROVES NEW AID PACKAGE TO ISRAEL

U.S. Approves New Aid Package to Israel
The U.S. House and Senate approved on Saturday a spending bill for 2005 which includes $2.2 billion in military assistance and $360 million in economic assistance for Israel. It also includes an additional $50 million in refugee resettlement assistance. The bill contains a provision allowing Israel an extra two years to finish using $9 billion in loan guarantees, allowing five years rather than three. The bill also requires the U.S. secretary of state to report to Congress on whether UNRWA employees or facilities have been involved in Palestinian terrorist activities. (Jerusalem Post)