House increases funding for Israel’s missile defense

The U.S. House of Representatives increased funding for Israel’s missile defense systems.

Included in the House’s Defense Appropriations Bill approved last week is $351 million for the Iron Dome anti-missile system, which is $175 million more than was requested in President Obama’s 2015 budget and $131 million more than funding in the 2014 fiscal year.

The bill also included $270 million for the Arrow 3 and David’s Sling systems, an increase of $172 million over both the Obama administration’s request and fiscal year 2014 funding.

In April, Reps. Grace Meng (D-N.Y.) and Peter Roskam (R-Ill.) sent a letter to the House Appropriations subcommittee on defense seeking support for an increase in funding for the Iron Dome, Arrow 3 and David’s Sling programs.

Iron Dome intercepts short-range rockets. The Arrow weapons system defends against medium-range ballistic missiles, and the Arrow 3 and David’s Sling target multi-range ballistic and cruise missiles.

“With missiles regularly fired at Israel from Gaza, and the ongoing threat of Iran and its proxies Hamas and Hezbollah, it is critical that the United States continue its commitment to stand by our ally Israel,” Meng said.

The budget measure must pass the Senate before Obama can sign it into law.