US allocates additional $1 billion to Israeli anti-missile system

Reports in the Israeli media claim that the US Congress has agreed to allocate an extra $1 billion for the development of Israel’s “Iron Dome” missile defence system. Hebrew newspaper Yedioth Ahronoth pointed out that the total American defence budget is around $608 billion.

The newspaper added that Congressman Steve Rotman announced the allocation while claiming that the Iron Dome system will enable Israel “to defend its citizens” against a missile threat. At the same time, he said, Israeli leaders will have the necessary strategic space to carry out appropriate operations to fight and eliminate terrorism.

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Rotman drew attention to the fact that this is the largest amount of US aid to be approved this year under the heading “bailouts”. Last month Congress approved a bill to double US aid for the Iron Dome system to $680 million. This was approved by the Armed Services Committee in the Senate, and was added to the $250 million approved by President Obama.

The newspaper noted that this US aid will be added to the annual “security assistance fund” given to Israel of $3 billion.