Israeli Defense Minister Barak Thanks Obama and Congress for New U.S.-Israel Security Legislation

Danielle Lehrer — July 30, 2012 – 3:32 pm | Barack Obama | Israel Comments (0) Add a comment

The U.S.-Israel Enhanced Security Cooperation Act signed by President Barack Obama ensures that Israel will always be armed properly. According to Amos Gilad, the director of policy and political-military affairs at the Israeli Defense Ministry, ‘This was a historical landmark in the defense relations between the U.S. and Israel.’ 

According to Ynet’s Yitzhak Benhorin:

The law essentially requires the current administration and the next one to provide Israel with weapons systems, intelligence data and logistical aid. Every six months, the leaders in the US will have to report to Congress about the steps they have taken to implement the legislation…

‘This law has elements that are more important than money,’ one Israeli official said. ‘Israel can, with the US’ help, to maintain its deterrence advantage in the face of potential enemys’ aggression. By cooperating with Israel, the US has obtained a reliable, democratic and technology-oriented partner in promoting its strategic interests.’

According to White House Press Secretary Jay Caney:

The bill expressed bipartisan Congressional support for Administration initiatives that deepen U.S. defense and security cooperation with Israel, to include providing Israel with financial and technological assistance to produce defensive systems to counter the threat of rockets and missiles; access to U.S. manufactured defense equipment and excess defense articles; and increased opportunities to train with U.S. military forces.

Also According to Benhorin:

It must be noted that the Obama Administration has been unprecedentedly responsive to Israel’s acquisition requests across the board, even prior to the latest legislation. And the incumbent president is willing to go much farther to accommodate Israel when it comes to missile defense; on Friday, during the bill’s signing in Washington, he announced that he is adding $70 million to bolster the production of Iron Dome batteries…

Defense Minister Ehud Barak has thanked Obama and Congress for the measure…

Barak and Secretary of Defense Leon Panetta will be meeting to further discuss the bill.  

Click here to read more about the bill. 

Comments

There are no comments for this entry