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A robust missile defense program is essential for Israel (Rep. Steve Rothman)
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03/21/10 07:49 PM ET
As a member of the 15 person House Appropriations Defense Subcommittee, I am sometimes asked why Israeli missile defense is so important. Doesn’t it seem impossible to hit a bullet with another bullet? Aren’t we better off spending scarce resources another way?
We understand that the vital national security interests of the U.S. heavily depend on the survival and security of the State of Israel, just as Israel’s vital national security is heavily dependent on its relationship with the U.S. But is Israeli missile defense essential?
My answer is a simple one. A strong Israeli missile defense program is needed because if everything else fails, the only security measure that will keep millions of Israelis alive and preserve the Jewish State of Israel is its missile defense.
Think of it.
If sanctions and diplomacy with Iran fail to halt its pursuit of nuclear weapons. If pressure from the world’s nations fail. If attempts by the “green revolution” to change the current Iranian leadership and give up Iran’s pursuit of nuclear weapons fail. If efforts to stop Iran even partially fail, and if Iran and its allies launch just a single nuclear armed missile and thousands of other missiles at Israel, then the only safeguard for the Jewish State, U.S. forces in the region, and other U.S. allies is a robust Israeli missile defense program.
That is why this is so critical and that is why we need to work toward securing even greater support here in the U.S. for Israeli missile defense.
The stakes are too high for anything less.
We understand that the vital national security interests of the U.S. heavily depend on the survival and security of the State of Israel, just as Israel’s vital national security is heavily dependent on its relationship with the U.S. But is Israeli missile defense essential?
My answer is a simple one. A strong Israeli missile defense program is needed because if everything else fails, the only security measure that will keep millions of Israelis alive and preserve the Jewish State of Israel is its missile defense.
Think of it.
If sanctions and diplomacy with Iran fail to halt its pursuit of nuclear weapons. If pressure from the world’s nations fail. If attempts by the “green revolution” to change the current Iranian leadership and give up Iran’s pursuit of nuclear weapons fail. If efforts to stop Iran even partially fail, and if Iran and its allies launch just a single nuclear armed missile and thousands of other missiles at Israel, then the only safeguard for the Jewish State, U.S. forces in the region, and other U.S. allies is a robust Israeli missile defense program.
That is why this is so critical and that is why we need to work toward securing even greater support here in the U.S. for Israeli missile defense.
The stakes are too high for anything less.
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