Citing Jewish values and its experience in providing direct aid worldwide, AJWS objects to Trump’s radical budget cuts
NEW YORK, NY – “As the leading American Jewish organization providing financial support to end poverty and advance human rights in Africa, Asia, Latin America and the Caribbean, we are firmly opposed to President Trump’s proposed federal budget, which would slash the combined budget for the U.S. State Department and foreign aid by 28%,” said Robert Bank, President and CEO of American Jewish World Service (AJWS). “Foreign aid makes up only 1% of U.S. government spending, but plays a crucial role in improving the lives of millions of poor and oppressed people around the globe. We will not allow the current administration to undermine our nation’s commitment to the betterment of the world community, which has been advanced by every administration regardless of political party since the end of the Second World War,” added Bank.
“As an organization committed to the Jewish values of repairing the world, aiding the poor and embracing the stranger, our vision for America’s role in the world is starkly different from that of President Trump. His proposed budget slashes efforts to combat poverty and disease and undermines both U.S. diplomacy and global institutions that work to guarantee the human rights of people worldwide, “said Bank. “We call on members of the U.S. Congress to oppose this budget, and we call on American Jews and all Americans who are guided by the value of upholding the dignity of every person to oppose President Trump’s proposed radical cuts to the budget.”
“As an American Jewish organization that provides financial support to 450 civil society organizations in 19 countries worldwide, we understand from our own work that the delivery of U.S. foreign aid must be improved to reach the most vulnerable communities more directly and address the root causes of poverty and oppression. We know from over three decades of work in developing countries that President Trump’s proposed radical cuts in foreign aid will throw more people into poverty, undermine efforts to halt epidemic disease and strengthen the conditions under which authoritarian regimes disregard the rights of their citizens,” added Bank.
“We are gravely concerned about proposed funding cuts to the very agencies and departments that implement U.S. foreign policy and development assistance, as well as to U.N. agencies that provide much needed development and humanitarian assistance. Drastic cuts to both U.S. and U.N. agencies will do irreparable harm to U.S. national interests worldwide, which rest, in part, on ensuring that nations around the globe are healthy, just and democratic.”
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About American Jewish World Service
American Jewish World Service (AJWS) is the leading Jewish organization working to realize human rights and end poverty in the developing world. AJWS defends civil and political rights, advances sexual health and rights, promotes climate justice and aids communities in the aftermath of disasters. We pursue lasting change by supporting grassroots and global human rights organizations in Africa, Asia, Latin America and the Caribbean, and by advocating for U.S. and international policies for justice and equality worldwide. Learn more at www.ajws.org.
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