The US House of Representatives on Wednesday approved $1 billion in funding for Israel's Iron Dome missile defense system.
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The funding, which was delayed for months, was included in the $1.5-trillion omnibus spending bill passed by the House for the 2022 fiscal year. The budget for Iron Dome will be an addition to the annual $3.8 billion defense aid package to Israel.
The Senate is slated to vote on the aid to Israel in the coming days.
Thank you to the U.S. Congress for your overwhelming commitment to Israel's security & for passing the critical security package — including the replenishment of the life-saving Iron Dome.
Thank you @POTUS for your leadership & friendship.
Together, we are stronger. 🇮🇱🇺🇸 pic.twitter.com/6SHC5Tpwx2
— Naftali Bennett בנט (@naftalibennett) March 10, 2022
Iron Dome is designed to intercept and destroy short-range rockets and artillery shells fired from a distance of between 2.5 and 40 miles. As such it is essential for defending the Israeli home front against attacks by the Gaza-base terrorist groups, as well as against attacks by Hezbollah in the north.
The system is a core component in Israel's multi-tiered air defenses, which offer protection from threats ranging from mortars to intercontinental ballistic missiles. This includes Iron Dome, David's Sling, and the Arrow defense systems.
US funding for Iron Dome will go toward interceptor missiles for the system, many of which were used to defend the country during May's Operation Guardian of the Walls, during which Hamas and the Palestinian Islamic Jihad fired upward of 4,000 rockets at Israel in the space of 11 days. Iron Dome intercepted 90% of the projectiles headed to populated areas.
Thank you for supporting $1 billion in assistance for the lifesaving Iron Dome missile defense system, and for your commitment to the security of the State of Israel over the years.
— יאיר לפיד - Yair Lapid🟠 (@yairlapid) March 10, 2022
Prime Minister Naftali Bennett thanked Congress for its "overwhelming commitment to Israel's security and for passing the critical security package – including the replenishment of the life-saving Iron Dome."
Foreign Minister Yair Lapid said, "The support that Israel received tonight in the American House of Representatives is testimony to the strategic relationship between Israel and the US. Thank you for the $1 billion of aid for the Iron Dome system and for the commitment to Israel's security over the years."
Defense Minister Benny Gantz lauded the funding bill, thanking US President Joe Biden for his "unwavering support for the security of the State of Israel."
Once again we witness the extraordinary bond between the U.S. and Israel - a relationship that spans both sides of the aisle and that is based on common values, strategic interests and a shared aspiration for a more peaceful and free world.
— בני גנץ - Benny Gantz (@gantzbe) March 10, 2022
"Thank you to the US House of Representatives for passing critical security and missile defense funding for Israel in the spending package," Gantz wrote. "Iron Dome replenishment and missile defense will ensure Israel's military edge, secure our citizens, and bolster US-Israel cooperation"
Gantz also thanked US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin "for his steadfast commitment to the extraordinary US-Israel ties and defense cooperation."
Jewish groups also hailed the bill.
A strong Israel makes America more secure.
The House just passed the largest-ever funding package to Israel — including $4.8 billion in security assistance & missile defense funding — demonstrating overwhelming bipartisan support in Congress for the U.S.-Israel relationship.
— AIPAC (@AIPAC) March 10, 2022
The American Israel Public Affairs Committee called the bill "a hallmark of the US-Israel relationship and a byproduct of consistent American support for Israel's safety."
"The House just passed the largest-ever funding package to Israel – including $4.8 billion in security assistance & missile defense funding – demonstrating overwhelming bipartisan support in Congress for the US-Israel relationship", AIPAC said in a tweet.
The Jewish Federations of North America issued a statement saying it was "grateful for the increase in funding for nonprofit security in last night's omnibus bill. This accomplishment is the culmination of months-long advocacy efforts that we led."
Eric Fingerhut, CEO of the Jewish Federations of North America, said, "We will work with bipartisan champions of this program to ensure that it continues to grow until there is enough funding to secure every synagogue, church, mosque, and vulnerable nonprofit facility."
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