House appropriator touts almost $1 billion for Israel in defense spending bill

The House defense spending bill unveiled Monday contains almost $1 billion for Israel to defend itself from missiles and rockets, according to Rep. Steve Rothman (D-N.J.).

The appropriations is the highest single-year appropriation ever for Israel's missile defense system. It's included in a $519.2 billion spending bill that's more than $3 billion higher than the proposals from President Obama and the Senate Democrats.

Rothman, who is Jewish, is a member of the House Appropriations Defense subcommittee.

“These rocket and missile defense systems allow Israel the ability to protect its civilians while giving its leaders the strategic space and time to take the appropriate action to root out terrorists and carefully plan their next steps,” Rothman said in a statement.

Read the full release below the jump:

Today, I am proud to announce that $947 million has been appropriated toward Iron Dome, David’s Sling, and Arrow for the coming year. These rocket and missile defense systems allow Israel the ability to protect its civilians while giving its leaders the strategic space and time to take the appropriate action to root out terrorists and carefully plan their next steps.

President Obama, Chairman Bill Young, and all of the members of the House Appropriations Defense Subcommittee understand how important it is to be at the cutting edge of anti-missile technology, both to safeguard our own citizens and troops as well as the citizens and troops of the Jewish State of Israel.

This funding level is the highest ever appropriated in a single year for these life-saving programs. Given the concern and attention that we are focusing now on every dollar we are expending on behalf of the US taxpayer for all purposes, including the defense of the America and its allies, this appropriation shows how vitally important these systems are for our nation’s national security.