LAS VEGAS — Republican presidential hopeful Ron Paul says he would cut all foreign aid, including to U.S. ally Israel.
The Texas congressman said during the GOP debate Tuesday night that U.S. aid to Israel "teaches them to be dependent" and reduces their sovereignty. He also said the Middle East nation should be free to conduct its foreign policy without worrying how the United States will react and perhaps punish it with fewer dollars.
Rival Michele Bachmann said Israel "is our greatest ally" and spending to the country shouldn't be cut. The Minnesota congresswoman says she would rather see "nations that we have liberated" such as Iraq and Libya pay back the United States for money it spent there.
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