U.S. Congress gives Obama okay to fund Israel rocket defense
Lawmakers voted to give Israel $205 million for its production of the short-range rocket defense system, Iron Dome defense, by 410-4 margin.
By Natasha Mozgovaya Tags: Israel news Barack Obama Iron Dome HezbollahThe U.S. House of Representatives on Thursday voted in favor of President Barack Obama's plans to help Israel fund the deployment of the Iron Dome anti-missile defense system.
Lawmakers, by a 410-4 margin, backed Obama's plan to give Israel 205 million dollars for its production of a short-range rocket defense system.
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Anti-missile system Iron Dome, meant to protect Israeli towns from rocket attacks. |
| Photo by: Rafael Advanced Defense Systems LTD. |
The Iron Dome missile defense system aced a test run in January, and event that convinced senior defense officials that the defense system was on its way to becoming operational and that it will be able to effectively protect against short-range missiles, such as Katyushas and Qassams, which often hit Israeli towns.
The project's first phase, which included development, test runs and the manufacture of two batteries, required a budget of NIS 800 million. The Israel Air Force has also trained a special new unit to operate the defense system.
However, the plan was not allotted an adequate budget. The Israel Defense Forces ducked away from funding the project with its budget, explaining that offensive readiness was a higher priority, and the Defense Ministry has been looking for other budgetary avenues.
House Foreign Affairs Committee Chairman Howard Berman said following the vore that "with nearly every square inch of Israel at risk from rocket and missile attacks, we must ensure that our most important ally in the region has the tools to defend itself."
"The looming threat of a nuclear-armed Iran, and the persistent threat posed by Iran's allies Hamas and Hezbollah, only serve to reinforce our longstanding commitment to Israel's security," Berman added.
Israel completed tests in January on its Iron Dome system, designed to intercept short-range rockets and artillery shells fired at Israel by Hamas and Hezbollah.
Florida congressman Ted Deutch commended the "Obama Administration for
supporting the critical Iron Dome system, which could help save the lives of innocent Israelis who every day live in fear of rocket attacks on their homes, schools, and marketplaces."
"Partnering with Israel on short-range missile defense technology demonstrates America's unyielding commitment to Israel's security," Deutch added, saying that "Israel must be able to keep its citizens safe, and we must demand Palestinians end incitement and Hamas reject the use of terror."
The Obama Administration must always work to address the threats posed to Israel not only by short-range missiles, but by the looming possibility of a nuclear-armed Iran.”
The pro-Israel lobby AIPAC released a statement following the Congress vote, saying that the decision, that "will reduce the threat from Hamas and Hezbollah rocket attacks, is a tribute to America's commitment to Israel's defense and underscores our fundamental security cooperation with Israel, an island of democracy surrounded by a sea of hostile terrorist and totalitarian threats."
"America stands shoulder-to-shoulder with the people of Israel in their quest for peace and the right to live lives free of terrorism," the statement read.
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If you have to follow 'pay go' rules, what US domestic program was cut so that Israel coulf get this money? And why has the US media been silent about this diversion?
Answer to first question: No programs were cut. Answer to second question: It has been reported in the US media.
There is nothing in "The Hill".
Objecting to the conduct of the Israeli government=/=anti-semitism, you guys who keep throwing that phrase around need to learn how to come up with logical arguments rather than slandering anyone you disagree with by calling them racist.
the problem with Americans is they don't know who are their friends or enemies. well here is for something to think about, Israel has never opposed the U S at any time and has been an ally for ever, the Arabs on the otherhand has attacked the U S at home and abroad even the so called Arab-Americans can not be trusted so for all those Antisemite Gringos , just wait 'till they cut your head off.
What most of these talkbackers failed to realize is that not only will Iron Dome save Israeli lives and reduce anxiety, but this in turn will not force Israel to have to conduct as many operations in Gaza. This will destroy Hamas' political clout as the death toll on both sides will reduce greatly. Hamas strives from a high body count whether its Israelis or Arabs.
If and when Israel ends its occupation and aggression against Palestinians and accepts the fact that there are people fighting for their survival, then violence will end. Don't tell me there are fundamentals in Palestinian society but look at the same in the Israeli side who uproot trees and kill children on the roads every day and take over homes in the West Bank. Finally let me assure you that no peace or security for Israel will prevail until Palestinians have their rights..so better take the short cut and make just peace.
This "occupation" excuse is only the latest in a long line of excuses which were used to perpetrate violence against Jews in the region. From 1920-1967 there was no occupation, and still, Jews were attacked. Stop attacking the Jews, negotiate a peace offer, THEN you will have peace. Quit using the "occupation" excuse for a change. The "occupation" could have ended any number of times. It's the Arab violence against Jews which is at the heart of this conflict.
I am not usually this cynical, especially in relationship to Israel's right to defend itself, but for some time I've been having the feeling that we (Israel) have been talking up this notion of a summer war, have recently introduced the idea that Hezbollah now has missiles that can reach Tel Aviv, and suddenly, Israel is receiving a huge amount of aide for Iron Dome? Does that not seem .... too perfect? This whole scenario is downright fishy.
He didn't know that we are a lot closer to Him than him? But what he wrote is stupid: "How in God's name does Israel celebrate their achievements and great economy and then beg for money to support their military. Because they can and we let them. " This is stupid because a country with 6 million Jews can not possibly fight "on even terms" with an enemy consisting of a billion Muslims. So, we need extra help with better weapons. And the US understands this 410 to 4! I regret if this is too complicated for him.
Everyone seems to be totally missing the point with this... Congress had already passed a unilateral sanctions bill that would totally isolate Iran's oil industry by banning any foreign entities investing in Iran's petroleum sector from getting US government contracts (ie sanctions that would actually do something, as opposed to the watered down nonsense that's currently slogging through the Security Council). The bill has been sitting in conference committee going nowhere, most members of Congress have been wanted to pass it, but the State Department has been putting tremendous pressure on them to stall it because Obama has preferred to do everything through the UN, and not unilaterally. Most of the pro-Israel members of Congress (including Democrats) are getting tremendously impatient with this, IT'S AN ELECTION YEAR, and so throwing money at missile defense is essentially what Obama is doing so that he can give Congress something positive to campaign on to deflect attention from the fact that they've been letting him stall unilateral sanctions on Iran. The deal was "we'll give Israel money for missile defense, but in return, you can't complain about unilateral Iran sanctions getting delayed in favor of the UN process." I suppose it's always nice to get extra military aid, but the fundamental question is whether or not it's worth it being used by Congress as an excuse to ease up on Obama from passing unilateral sanctions on Iran (that might actually work) instead of just doing sanctions through the UN.
Russia and China have said that they will veto any severe sanctions that will hurt Iran's people.
It will be conditional on Israel not using the military optiona gainst Iran
With the $205 million, America will have full access to the technology. A complete bargin since it would take the US billions to develop the same system. These trades are always a two way street, that's why congress voted for it by a margin of 405 to 5. It also helps Obambi look like he is not the Israel-hater that everybody assumes that he is. Everybody wins financially and politically. That's what it comes down to. All the whining from the Jew-haters on this site is laughable. These folks are so irrelevent and marginalized that it's pathetic. I mean really sad. And why do they keep coming to this Ha'artz site to begin with? A little unhealthy obsession there?
The money the US supposedly gives to Israel (it's lent actually) has to be spent on US weapons which employs tens of thousands of Americans. Since the US has no other friends but Israel, I think you should just say thanks for us protecting you from Islamic terrorism as the US helps terrorist by supporting exxon mobil and halliburton.
Whats the political price Obama is going to demand from Israel in exchange for this handout? Already Bibi has stopped any major building projects in Jerusalem or pulling down houses built without permits. Its probably also about stopping Israel carrying out military operations to stop rocket attacks ... the palestinians can fire rockets but hey if the US has given Israel some money to build something to shoot down these rockets he can say there is no justification for trying to stop this at source. As Iron Dome is purely defensive and cannot be used as a weapon then its hard for the palestinians to object and of course lets not forget those midterms approaching and the Democrats are expected to lose alot of seats and there are alot of jewish voters that have the voting power to make the difference in some states between Republican or Democrat and Obama has a very anti Israel reputation so he needs to soften that up as the elections get closer if he wants damage limitations for Democrats.
Will this be enough? Stop wasting billions on the war to help Exxon Mobil in Iraq and put some money in defending against Islamic terrorism where they actually fight them.
How about making peace with your neighbors. Then you won't need to deal with all of this expensive nonsense of dubious effectiveness. Return Palestinian land to the Palestinians. Let the Palestinians set up a state. The settlers should be allowed to stay where they are if they choose to and become Palestinian citizens; and offer Syria the return of their Golan Heights in exchange for peace and full normalization, like the US has with Canada and Mexico. End of problem. No iron dome is necessary.
As with the Arrow program and with the Iron Dome project, the developments made in Israel benefit the US directly, shortening the time similar or same products are developed and deployed in the field to save American lives. Some of the the components, if developed from scratch in the US, would cost a lot more as well.
you're hate for israel and the jewish people is both undeserving and completely misinformed. believe what you want about how israel is a terrorist organization and doesn't want peace, that makes sense. when the terror attacks start being successful in the us you might start realize which side wants peace and which doesnt
The problem amount cost run this thing the USA better off thow all three billon dollars of aid systoms.Other wise all Hamas did fire rockets on hour basic and it bank rob Israel.
Obama figures that this will give Israel a feeling of security from attack by its neighbors. The fact remains that Hamas (and Abbas to a little lesser degree) are bloodthirsty neighbors whose extremist Islamic views perpetuate terror on women aqnd children). They call Israeli women " Zionist baby factories who must die". Ask the Egyptians why they have no relations with Hamas and have even closed their Rafah border with Gaza. Something about Hamas's connection with the Muslin Brotherhood organization that wants to overthrow the egyptian government?
200 million is a drop in the bucket for something both the US and Israel would make Qassam rockets harder even less effective. I don't see why people are whining about America funding for this considering it would improve missile defense efficiency. Not to mention Obama is increasing aid to Israel in fulfillment with something George W. Bush passed in 2007.
Obama knows that the US must reign in Greater Israel to stay the trusted and respected world power numero uno. Biggest problem for any US president? Not Israel but US media, Congress, right-wing GOP and Evangelicals. He must have mainstream America with him if he is to make Bibi deliver. What this move means? Obama is putting his money where his mouth is considering israeli security and condemning terrorism.He is to be trusted. It denies GOP accusing him in future of sacrificing and betraying Israel (by not attacking Iran). It will make mainstream America accept future hard power politics on Israel from the US if needed. Obama's biggest problem considering Israel is not Israel but Israel-supporting-no-matter-what America. Study how Augustus once neutralized Roman Congress which sabotaged the power of Roman leaders just like US Congress is doing for a long time now regarding US administrations and Israel. Pay your debt. And do not mention the euro please.
For those that blame AIPAC is using dark spells on congressmen and refuse to acknowledge that people really do support us, as well as more 'welfare money' need I remind you that: 1) the security of Israel serves America by considering Israel an American base in the region. 2) This technology is new and relevant US personal consider this a field test for their future use. 3) Don't think it's all for free. It's like the investing stocks in a company. They're essentially buying the rights for the system, like other projects in the past (Levi for example). 4) Morale reasons to save lives and support of an ally with the same ideology. Special thanks for all those that support us, you help save lives.
Why did Israel choose to not fully fund this system? I fear that the tests of Iron Dome have been less successful than desired.
If you could have someone else finance your endeavors, it would often be a wise choice. Wisdom, you should try it some time. Writing anti-Israeli drivel every day atrophies the mind.
It is really difficult to do realistic live fire testing on this type of system and such testing is absolutely required in order to "fine-tune" the critical parts of the software. The US military will benefit greatly from having access to the data from actual use of the system, even when the intercepts are unsuccessful.
The Tincanrattlers at it again !
seeing as more people in israel have died in car accidents than in rocket attacks, i suppose we'll be sending them, what, $1 billion to aid in anti-drunk-driving courses? since obviously they are incapable of protecting themselves from arabs--err, alcohol? oh, and http://www.brillig.com/debt_clock/ can someone tell me where this money is coming from? borrowing from china again?
This is a gift to an Israeli company. The US doesn't need or want the system for itself. And those who think the US should get something in return, we get the appearance of negotiations towards a Palestinian state.
I am an American and I fully support our country's support of Israel. Israel is a vital ally to the US and is the gate keeper in the middle east. Israeli's intelligence services have saved countless american lives according to our own military. So learn before you talk.
How in God's name does Israel celebrate their achievements and great economy and then beg for money to support their military. Because they can and we let them.
Israel's great minds developed a state of the art military defense system that the US will have the right to sell and use for themselves. Hardly begging, simply outsourcing and good business for the US. It'll cost the US defense dept less money to have Israel develop it rather then developing it in the US If you weren't blinded by your hatred of Israel you would see that
30....40..50%, somewhere along those numbers is the % of the entire Israeli budget spent on security, it's rather needed as we're isolated and outnumbered 1 to 52 in the region, more or less. Considering that and all the wars, I'm surprised our economy is doing so well
without oil and they do not kick out the US military.
Imaginary enemy? Are you mentally ill or on crack? Is this the same "imaginary enemy" that killed over 3thousand Americans on 9-11? The same imaginary enemy that attacked Israel in 1948 and caused a refugee crisis by telling its imaginary people to leave for a few days until the Jews are crushed and then they will take over everything? I suppose Islamic fundamentalists are not the enemy of the west? I guess they are just joking when they say they will either convert us or kill us? WTF: What The F--k are you thinking? Shame on you! PS- Dont forget this Iron Dome system will help protect us too from our "imaginary enemies"!
the 9/11 bombers were pakistani as far as i know. when's the last time pakistan attacked israel? the only recent american deaths due to arabs have been in wars of aggression on our part--iraq, afghanistan, pakistan to a limited extent. d dying
Let us not try to equate what is happening in Israel with 9/11. Note that everything in Israel would be much better if there is equity and justice among all its people. Like Pope Paul said, 'if you want peace in the world, you have to have justice in the world'.
I can see how the enemy's of Israel here foaming at the mouth hehehe, Good for Israel, Thank you USA.
Yet the US govt in some fruitless kowtowing gesture to AIPAC-of lies funds this ridiculous dome! If Israel opts to be an apartheid state let them pay their own way. Shameful.
be thick with the Arab States. They are disgustingly apartheid and to boot violent as the come, even against their own people. Actually, any "others" are few and far between because they are below Islamic people and can only be tolerated for the advantage they bring these Arab states. Let's compare the integration of Jews in these States to the integration of Arabs in Israel, where they MP's, Judges, lawyers, doctors, police and even serve in the armed services. Yes, there is a speck of that in a Iran but even there, Jews are tightly controlled, surveiled and oppressed. Of course, apartheid has succeeded in most Arab states, having eliminated Jews through murder and forced emigration. You may think it ridiculous to protect civilians but we know where you are coming from. What is so ridiculous about a defensive system for a country that has historically only defended herself? Anyway, if its ridiculous, what's got your dander up, other than blind and imbalanced hatred.
Your ignorance and false accusations of apartheid are evidence of a lack of books. The money that goes to Israel would not have went to education anyway. Why not protest the money that goes to the Saudis, Exxon Mobil, and Halliburton?
I watched the damn news all day today.. and i didn't see anything about this. I'm mad as hell and I'm not going to take it anymore!! Please, refuse the money so you can do whatever the heck you want. And you'll not have to hear from me ever again. Your country can't need $205mm that bad?!
So we are borrowing another $210 million to give to Israel on top of their annual military grants after Israel spit in Obama and Biden's face multiple times this year. YOu show them Obama!
In truth this is so they don't need to make peace
Arabs do not want peace, just listen to them, they say so all the time.
Rupert must consider the thousands of rockets and mortars thrown at Israel as gifts and instead of looking for ways of defense against them, sit, wait and thank the terrorist arabs for them. either Rupert is one of the terrorists shooting the missles or he's just nuts
200 million could provide health care for 50 million Americans. And beside, this is not only 200 M - we have to borrow this money and pay interest! The 410 congressmen who voted yes are bunch of traitors, who have more fear from the Israel lobby than from the (sucker) American voter.
200 million dollars pays for the health care of 50 million American? It only costs $4 a year to insure someone? You're an imbecile.
enormously from its grants to Israel. So, where will that money be spent? That's not to say that Israel doesn't benefit only that the money ends up, for the most part, in the treasuries of U.S. corporations adn the bank accounts of its employees. This is very different than the $ that is granted to evil states throughout the Arab world. That money is simply wasted and used for purposes of oppression and the infliction of pain. At best it helps those that hate America, hate Americans and who won't rest until they are converted or dead.
200 million dollars divided by 50 million Americans means that each person would be allocated $4. Tell us Joshua, how many months of healthcare does this $4 cover?
This 200 million is a bargain for the US. It is a pittance compared to the money the US hands over to Islamic terrorist in Saudi Arabia.
Where are you buying your health care...China?
Firstly, AIPAC is an AMERICAN organization which operates legally under US law like all the other PACs. Support for Israel is bi-partisan and if that bothers anti-semites it is because they are in the minority of a fringe group of bigots and racists. Iron Dome's technology will also protect AMERICAN bases and facilities in the Middle East and the technology that designed the system costs much less in Israel without the costly overruns of the US Defense Dept and the military industries. Two thirds of the military loans that Israel recieves from the CONGRESS has to be spent in the US on AMERICAN products like aircraft, weapons systems and ancillary equipment. This aid helps tp employ 70,000 AMERICAN workers in companies like Lockheed, Martin Marietta, General Dynamics, Boeing and Raytheon. Israel is the only country that has never defaulted on a loan payment to the US, unlike Britain, France, Germany and Japan. Why is there no outcry against funding Saudi Arabia's military? Or the millions GRANTED to organizations and states that support Hezbollah-the organization responsible for the greatest number of AMERICAN deaths till 9/11?
Because Saudi Arabia pays for it's weapons. What bases exactly will this protect? It's a short range defense system and there are no American bases within range of any Qassam or Hizbolah rockets
I would say an island for apartheid policies. And Obama supports this inhuman system...
Israel is the freest nation in the world perhaps and Arabs live here free with greater freedoms, wealth than anywhere in the middle east. These are facts even deluded people like yourself cannot legitimately refute.
are american... dropped two nukes and wiped out the native indian. good job!!! got muslim blood in you?
I don't agree with many things about Isreal, and I think they need to make peace with justice with their neighbours, and let Palestine live in peace. But it is very offensive of ignorant people to compare this what happenned in our country. Apratheid was an evil regime of racism. To compare it to Isreal and Palestine dishonours the memory of all the victims of Apartheid. Shame on you!
Since Gazans cant get out of the country they need some kind of way out of death. Or is a Gazan's life meaningless?
Hamas would turn off the missile system and prevent it's people from seeking shelter (as it did during the last conflict) or worse use their people as usual as human shields. Hamas is interested in offensive weapons only (preferably a guided missile that targets Jewish pre-schools) not in defensive ones. Hamas is after all a mass murdering terrorist organization.
They have a way out. Hamas will knock down their homes to build a Religious Center in their place. Done of course in the true spirit of Allah.
If Gazans want "some kind of way out of death" it is very simple: 1) drop support of Hamas, support Fatah instead 2) Fatah enjoys US support, US will control Israel 3) Israel will stop acting against Gazans On top of all that here is a simple reality: before the war with Israel, Gazans fired many missles on Israel, Israel attacked Gaza. After the war, Hamas is afraid to shoot missles. Israel attacks much less frequently (only when Gazans fire missles). This proves: no missles fired on Israel => security in Gaza.
Millions of Americans can't find work, trillion-dollar deficit, trillions of dollars in debt -- let's send millions to Israel!
...so that two thirds of the money comes back instANTly and support the american mil-ind complex. d'oh. Besides that, Iron Dome is a poor, ineffective system and you americans could have developped a better one.
Another US Congress held to their knees by AIPAC. Way to go for change...so glad that Foreign Agents can lobby our congress for THEIR best interest
Israel is the only loyal friend of the US. The US gets a lot of is technology from Israel btw (like cell phones, drones, GPS, computers, missile tech) and provides the US valuable intelligence as examples of how the relationship is reciprocal. In return the US supports Saudi Arabia and Islamic terrorism while helping exxon mobil instead of the American people.
We have trillions of dollars in debt and we're giving millions MORE dollars to Israel--in addition to the $3 billion per year--so they can build a bunker against an imaginary enemy? No wonder why this country is going bankrupt, man! Israel ain't a poorhouse, let them pay for their own crap.
Where ells is USA can test this weapon against terrorists?Stop complaining it's for good of Americans to.Imaginary enemy? where have you been for the last 30 years?
How about you tell me where you live and I can lob 10 hand grenades per day into your living room. Would you call that "imaginary" as well? When anti-Semitism is increasing worldwide, Syria is sending weapons to Lebanon capable of carrying chemical and biological warheads, and Iran--according to the International Atomic Energy Agency--is building its capability to assemble a nuclear weapon, Israel is in need of DEFENSIVE systems such as Iron Dome to mitigate the increasing number of threats it faces from its neighbors.
The fact is WTF, is that NEITHER party in America is willing to stop spending more than we tax. Republicans are happy to start wars and pay for them with tax cuts. Democrats are delighted to spend money to pay-off voter groups. Or is that democrats are happy to borrow and spend upon union produced weapons systems while republicans are delighted to plunge America deeper in debt to buy-off the religious right? "We have met the enemy, and he was us." - Pogo Possum
I agree the US keeps wasting their money but this may be the first nickel in a decade that is going to something useful. It's just too little. Stop giving all the money to Saudi princes and exxon, if the US stopped supporting Islamic terrorism through its support of oil interests maybe we can make the world a safer place? Imaginary enemy? I'd come show you the imaginary enemy but I doubt you leave your state no less the country.
Jews are not the only Semites buddy...remember that....Syrians, Lebanese, Iranians, Palestinians, Saudi Arabians, Iraqis, Kuwaitis, are all Semites. So, being "Anti-Semetic" is being not only Anti-Jew, but Anti-Syrians, Lebanese, Iranians, Palestinians, Saudi Arabians, Iraqis, Kuwaitis
The technologies develoved by a successful Iron Drome in israel, and regretfully tested in real life by rockets being fired by militants into Israeli population centers, will then be shared with the US, who can use this at will to make US Iron Drome defense systems in order to protect US interests directly (e.g. US military bases in war zones and strategically important sites within the USA). I think that the US is genuinely interested in aiding the defense of Israel, which we are thankful for, but there are additional US interests at stake here, that have nothing to do with Israel.
Stop linking "anti-Semitism" with the need for Iron Dome. Stop linking "chemical and biological warheads" in Lebanon with Iron Dome. Do the same with Iranian ballistic missiles with nuclear warheads. What you do is as wrong as to call Israel's and America's enemies imaginary. Iron Dome has a very clear and limited purpose: stop short-range (5-70 km) attacks with very conventional missiles and mortar shells. Against anti-Semitism, - which BTW you mismatch with anti-Zionism - chemical or biological contamination and ballistic nukes is IRON DOME helpless :-))