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US expected to provide more funds for Israel’s Iron Dome missile system
Israeli Defense Minister Ehud Barak is traveling to the Pentagon this week to meet with Defense Secretary Leon Panetta on Thursday, where they are expected to hammer out an agreement on increased U.S. funding for Israel’s Iron Dome missile system.
Israeli media reported Barak was on his way to Washington on Tuesday, and said the Obama administration was planning to announce a $680 million package for new Iron Dome missile batteries, citing Israeli security sources.
The House Appropriations Defense subcommittee included nearly $1 billion in military aid to Israel in the bill that passed last week, including $680 million for the Iron Dome system.
The House Armed Services Committee also authorized $680 million for Iron Dome in the bill it passed out of committee last week.
“We've seen the press report, but we have nothing to announce from the podium on this today,” Pentagon spokesman Capt. John Kirby said Tuesday.
The Iron Dome system, which Israel has used to defend against rocket attacks across its borders, has been a popular provision to increase funding for members of Congress.
The Jerusalem Post said $680 million in new funding for Iron Dome would allow Israel to purchase three-to-four new batteries, on top of the four already deployed.
