Rocket fired from Gaza
Photo: AP
US to give Israel millions for missile defense
Congress pledges record-breaking funds for David's Sling, Arrow, and system to counter Iranian threat
WASHINGTON - The US pledged record-breaking funding for Israeli defense programs Wednesday as Congress voted to add $235.7 million dollars in aid for the David's Sling and Arrow 3 missile defense systems.
The additional funding will also go towards additional Arrow 2 batteries, as well as the development of a system to defend Israel from outer space, against Iranian missiles.
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The House Appropriations Defense Subcommittee appropriated the funds in addition to aid already approved by the Obama administration, which amounts to around $205 million used to fund additional Iron Dome batteries.
The overall sum is a record-breaking $440 million for defense systems, in addition to the defense budget Israel receives regularly from the US, which stands at $3 billion.
Congressman Steve Rothman (D-NJ), a member of the House Appropriations Defense Subcommittee, released the following statement:
"Given America’s significant budget challenges, every single dollar we are expending on behalf of the US taxpayer must be given the highest level of scrutiny, including funds appropriated toward the defense of the United States and its allies."
He added, however, that the funding was earmarked for "essential joint US-Israel missile defense programs for the coming year."
Since 2007, the US has transferred over a billion dollars to Israel to help fund its missile defense systems, to protect its civilian population from rockets and missiles.
Iron Dome, the newest missile defense system on the ground, was set up in Ashkelon and Beersheba two months ago. On April 7 the system intercepted its first Grad rocket, which was fired at the Negev from Gaza. Recently another battery was set up to defend Ashdod.
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