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Israeli Government Okay with U.S. Military Aid Package; Congressmen Not

Several members of Congress say they plan to block a proposed military aid package to the Gulf States, Israel and Egypt, although the Israeli government says it is okay with the deal. On Friday, the Bush administration announced it would provide $20 billion in upgrades to fighter-jets and sophisticated satellite-guided bombs to Saudi Arabia and five other Gulf States. In order to offset a predicted uproar by pro-Israel members of Congress, the package included a 10-year increased level of military aid totaling more than $30 billion. On Sunday Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert expressed satisfaction with the deal. But in Washington, several Democratic House members said they would move to block the deal as soon as Congress is officially notified. Their angst is directed at the inclusion of Saudi Arabia, which they say is not deserving of the American largesse.