Israel seeks $700M from U.S. for missile defense

[Scurrilous]

Israel is seeking $700 million from Washington to fund more batteries of the Iron Dome counter-rocket system and other air-defense weapons.

<snip>

"Israel is seeking $700 million from the United States to fund additional batteries of the Iron Dome counter-rocket system and other air-defense weapons.

The Israeli military says the systems are needed to protect the country from massive missile bombardment until 2015."

<snip>

"If approved, the requested U.S. funding would allow Israel to build four additional batteries of the Iron Dome system developed by state-owned Rafael Advanced Defense Systems and speed up work on another air-defense weapon, David's Sling, also being developed by Rafael.

The United States provided $205 million fiscal 2011 to help fund Iron Dome.

In March, a bipartisan group introduced the Iron Dome Support Act in Congress authorizing the administration to provide more funds for the system as required by Israel.

Obama has said he'll provide "an appropriate level of funding," and that presumably will cover whatever sum the administration decides on in the coming days."

Read more: http://www.upi.com/Business_News/Security-Industry/2012/04/06/Israel-seeks-700M-from-US-for-missile-defense/UPI-98821333737171/#ixzz1rLKfQ8DT

[Shadowflash]

1. Yeah.

If Israel is so damn awesome they should buy their own fucking missile defense. I'm tired of my tax money going to prop up these hate mongers.

[larkrake]

2. I, as a taxpayer, do hereby deny your request

Suck it up Israel, we are onto your false pandering, pay for your own war machine, and dont expect us to back any pre war ideas you may hatch.

[Swede Atlanta]

3. Israel...........

Your request is DENIED. We have repeatedly asked you to negotiate in good faith with the Palestinians and not do anything that only raises ire among them. You continue with the building of the settlements on the West Bank, the border wall, etc.

If you want our money there needs to be a quid pro quo, stop the settlements, stop the wall and we will consider your request.

I am a strong supporter of Israel's right to existence and self-determination and realize she is in a very dangerous neighborhood. But at some point we can no longer give, give, give when Israel never gives anything in return.

[Jefferson23]

4. H.R. 4229: Iron Dome Support Act 112th Congress, 2011–2012. Text as of Mar 21, 2012 (Introduced).

SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

This Act may be cited as the ‘Iron Dome Support Act’.

SEC. 2. FINDINGS.

Congress finds the following:

(1) The State of Israel remains under grave threat and frequent attack from missiles, rockets, and mortar shells fired at Israeli civilian targets by militants from the Foreign Terrorist Organization Hamas on its southern border and by the Foreign Terrorist Organization Hezbollah on its northern border, which have killed, wounded, or inflicted psychological trauma on countless Israelis.

(2) The United States remains committed to Israel’s qualitative military edge, including its advantage over non-state actors such as Hezbollah and Hamas, which boast increasingly sophisticated and powerful weapons as a result of support from Iran, Syria, and other state actors.

(3) The Israeli Defense Forces report that the Iron Dome anti-missile defense system has achieved a success rate of more than 90 percent, intercepting rockets bound for residential neighborhoods, busy road junctions, shopping centers, and crowded streets in southern Israel.

(4) The recent success of the Iron Dome anti-missile defense system averted massive Israeli casualties, thereby eliminating Israel’s need to conduct a ground-based attack against Gaza-based terrorists, enhancing Israel’s operational flexibility, and preventing terrorists from plunging the region into crisis whenever they choose.

(5) The United States can help to advance its own vital national security interests and the cause of Middle Eastern peace and stability by supporting Israel’s ability to defend itself against missiles, rockets, and other threats.

(6) In 2010, President Obama requested funds to help the State of Israel procure and maintain Iron Dome missile batteries. The House of Representatives then overwhelmingly passed the United States-Israel Rocket and Missile Defense Cooperation and Support Act.

(7) The Government of Israel currently has three operational Iron Dome batteries deployed in the field, which are far from sufficient to protect all of Israel’s territory.

SEC. 3. AUTHORIZATION OF ASSISTANCE TO ISRAEL FOR IRON DOME ANTI-MISSILE DEFENSE SYSTEM.

The President, acting through the Secretary of Defense and the Secretary of State, is authorized to provide assistance, upon request by the Government of Israel, for the procurement, maintenance, and sustainment of the Iron Dome anti-missile defense system for purposes of intercepting short-range missiles launched against Israel.

http://www.govtrack.us/congress/bills/112/hr4229/text