In 1982, Senator Joe Biden threatened Israeli Prime Minister Menahem Begin to cut American aid.
This was Begin’s answer:
“Never frighten us with no help. It’s not going to work. I am not the Jew whose knees are shaking. I am a Jew who is proud of the history of my people, which dates back 3,700 years. When we were dying in gas chambers and ovens, no one came to our rescue. And also no one helped us in our quest to build our state. We did it ourselves and paid in full. We fought for our ideals We were dying for them. And we still hold on to these principles. We will protect them. And, if need be, we will die again for our principles. With or without your help”
