$286 million more for Israel? House of Reps bill

JTA – Bipartisan legislation to continue funding for the joint U.S.-Israel air defense system known as David’s Sling was introduced in the House of Representatives. [H.R. 1915]

The bill introduced Tuesday by Reps. Derek Kilmer, D-Wash., and Jim Bridenstine, R-Okla., would authorize $286 million for procurement, research and development for the midrange missile defense system, which is designed to take down missiles from more than 180 miles away.

David’s Sling supplements the Iron Dome anti-missile system, which protects Israel against short-range rocket attacks.

“It’s important for us to bring this system online so we can help our ally in Israel and grow our economic partnership, so we can better share innovative ideas and create 21st century jobs in both countries,” Kilmer said in a statement.

Bridenstine noted the “immediate and growing missile threat” facing Israel. [Rockets from Gaza have killed approximately 29 people total in all the years they have been used by various resistance groups; during the same period Israeli forces have killed close to 6,000 men, women, and children in Gaza.]

[See stats here and here.]

“Hamas and Hezbollah and their supporters in Iran and Syria are developing more sophisticated and longer range missiles aimed squarely against our best ally in the Middle East,” he said, adding that the United States and Israel developing David’s Sling together “demonstrates the unshakable American commitment to Israel’s security.” [Despite the fact that Israel tried to sink a U.S. Navy ship, quibbled over compensation to Americans, and call the survivors “anti-Semitic when they call for an investigation. Representative Jim Bridenstine announces his “commitment to Israel.” We wonder if he has a similar commitment to American veterans.]

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The bill is now before the House Appropriations Committee. the House Committee on Armed Services and House Committee on Foreign Affairs.

Related article: Weekly report on Israeli attacks on Palestinians