US to bolster Israel's 'Iron Dome' anti-rocket system with $70 million (£44 million) in assistance this year
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May 17, 2012, 8:16:31 PM5/17/12
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Perilous
Times
US to bolster Israel's 'Iron Dome' anti-rocket system with
$70 million (£44 million) in assistance this year
The US will bolster an Israeli anti-rocket system with $70 million
(£44 million) in assistance this year, with more funding likely in
the future, Leon Panetta, the Defence Secretary said.
US Defence Secretary Leon Panetta meets with his Israeli
counterpart, Ehud Barak, at the Pentagon Photo: EPA
9:07PM BST 17 May 2012
The Telegraph UK
The "Iron Dome" air defence network has been credited with
thwarting Palestinian militant rocket and mortar attacks out of
Gaza.
"My goal is to ensure Israel has the funding it needs each year to
produce these batteries that can protect its citizens," the
Pentagon chief said in a statement after meeting with his Israeli
counterpart, Ehud Barak.
"That is why going forward over the next three years, we intend to
request additional funding for Iron Dome, based on an annual
assessment of Israeli security requirements against an evolving
threat," the statement also quoted Panetta as saying.
The announcement fell short of predictions published in Israel's
Haaretz daily that Washington was ready to commit to $680 million
to pay for more anti-rocket batteries over several years.
Instead, the US administration chose to provide $70 million for
the current year and review the issue in future years, allowing
some potential leverage over Israel.
US-Israeli relations have been strained over how to counter Iran's
nuclear program, with Washington arguing that sanctions need to be
given a chance to work while Israeli leaders have suggested time
is running out and that unilateral military action may soon be
necessary.
Panetta called the aid for the air defense system "part of our
rock solid commitment to Israel's security," which comes "on top
of approximately $3 billion in annual security assistance."
The Pentagon has already delivered $205 million in assistance for
the Iron Dome system.
Panetta added that "we will stay in close consultation in the
years ahead to ensure we are making necessary investments in this
important system."
Barak's visit to Washington was the third in as many months and
came as the United States and other major powers prepared for a
fresh round talks this month with Iran on its nuclear program.
In recent weeks, Israel has launched a diplomatic offensive to
drive home its concerns to world powers in advance of the May 23
talks in Baghdad.
Barak warned on Monday that the United States and other powers
were only making "minimalist" demands of Iran that would fail to
persuade Tehran to halt its disputed nuclear drive.
But a commentary published Thursday by former spy chiefs from
Germany, Israel and the United States as well as other
ex-officials argued that there was still time for sanctions to
work. The authors called for ratcheting up punitive measures
designed to fully deny Iran access to foreign banks, international
shipping and foreign insurance companies.
"It is still in Iran's interest to change course and address
international concerns regarding possible military aspects of its
nuclear program," the authors wrote in the Wall Street Journal.
"Our rationale is based on strong empirical evidence from the last
few months that sanctions are having a tangible impact."
Israel and most of the West believe Iran's nuclear energy program
masks a drive to develop atomic weapons. Tehran denies such
intentions.