WASHINGTON — President Barack Obama said
Friday he is releasing an additional $70 million in military aid for
Israel, a previously announced move that appeared timed to upstage
Republican rival Mitt Romney’s trip to Israel this weekend.
The stepped-up U.S. aid, first announced in
May, will go to help Israel expand production of a short-range rocket
defense system. The system, known as Iron Dome, has proved successful at
stopping rocket attacks fired at Israeli civilians from close range,
including from Gaza.
The new law would also enable Israel to
upgrade air refueling capabilities, missile defense capabilities and
specialized munitions. The law also seeks to enhance cooperation on
preventing arms smuggling from the Sinai to Gaza and offer the IAF
additional training and exercise opportunities in the United States to
compensate for Israel’s limited air space.
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