NJDC Lauds Obama Administration’s Request for More Iron Dome Funding
Listed in: Israel, NJDC News, Press Releases
WASHINGTON, DC- The National Jewish Democratic Council is deeply gratified that the Obama Administration will be asking Congress for additional funding to support Israel’s Iron Dome missile defense system.
“In making this crucial announcement today, the Obama Administration—working in close cooperation with Israel—is ensuring that Israelis will have the resources they need to defend against the deadly wave of rockets being launched into the heart of Israel from Hamas-controlled Gaza,” said NJDC President and CEO David A. Harris.
“These indiscriminate attacks against Israeli civilians—men, women and children alike—are horrific, and Iron Dome has been at the forefront of helping to protect Israelis during this deeply trying time. It was President Barack Obama’s initiative and request that brought Iron Dome into being, and funding for missile defense cooperation between Israel and the United States has more than doubled under this Administration than under the previous administration. We thank the President for his leadership on the Iron Dome—as well as key supporters of Israel and Iron Dome in Congress—for taking a firm stand to support the people of Israel,” said Harris.
In announcing its request, the Department of Defense said:
“Supporting the security of the State of Israel is a top priority of President Obama and Secretary Panetta. The United States has previously provided $205 million in support of Israel’s Iron Dome short-range rocket and mortar defense system. During the rocket attacks earlier this month, the Iron Dome system played a critical role in Israel’s security. When nearly 300 rockets and mortars were fired at southern Israel, Iron Dome intercepted over 80 percent of the targets it engaged, saving many civilian lives.” [Department of Defense, March 27, 2012]
Ranking Democrat on the House Foreign Affairs Committee Representative Howard Berman (D-CA), the author of the “Iron Dome Support Act” (IDSA, H.R. 4229), said in response to the Obama Administration’s request:
“Iron Dome is a game changer. The threats Israel faces from incoming, indiscriminate terrorist rocket attacks are countered by this cutting edge anti-missile system. Iron Dome is fundamentally shifting political, diplomatic and military realities on the ground, while saving lives of innocent Israelis. Today’s statement is a further step in the right direction.”
Representative Steve Rothman (D-NJ), a member of the House Appropriations Defense Subcommittee and a leader on U.S.-Israel missile defense issues, said:
“I am pleased to see that Secretary of Defense Leon Panetta and the Obama Administration understand the importance of and remain committed to funding the life-saving rocket defense program, Iron Dome. We must continue to stand with Israel to make sure that our most important strategic ally in the region has the additional Iron Dome batteries it needs to protect its population from rocket attacks.
“Over the past weeks, we have once again seen the tremendous importance and effectiveness of Iron Dome that is now deployed in Israel. In the face of rockets fired by terrorists from Gaza into southern Israel, Iron Dome has been remarkably successful in saving lives and preventing all-out war.” [Representative Steve Rothman, March 27, 2012]
McClatchy reported today that Israel is expanding the use of the Iron Dome system and published a brief illustrated explanation of how the system works. Their report can be viewed here.
