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View Full Version : Pentagon Wants More Money For Israel's Iron Dome




tsai3904
03-27-2012, 10:35 PM
http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=149472764


The Pentagon will press Congress for more money for Israel's Iron Dome system designed to intercept short-range rockets and mortars, a boost for Israel as the Obama administration tries to dissuade the Mideast ally from launching a potential unilateral strike on Iran.

Obama's budget for next year calls for $3.1 billion in military assistance for Israel, a slight increase over the current level and the most for any foreign country.

The Pentagon statement provided no specific numbers, but congressional aides said a possible request would be the purchase of 10 battery systems at a cost of $50 million each.

Congressional Democrats welcomed the Pentagon announcement as a fresh sign of the administration standing with Israel.

Rep. Howard Berman of California, the top Democrat on the House Foreign Affairs Committee, is a co-sponsor of legislation that would authorize the president to provide aid to Israel to buy additional Iron Dome anti-rocket systems if it requests it.

Republican Rep. Howard "Buck" McKeon, the chairman of the House Armed Services Committee, had complained in a February letter to Obama that his "record low" budget request jeopardized Israel's security.