The House Armed Services Committee has approved funding for Israeli missile defense and anti-tunneling programs for the 2016 fiscal year.
In an amendment to the omnibus National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), the committee signed off on $474 million in funds for the Iron Dome short-range missile defense system, the David's Sling medium-range system and the Arrow program, for long-range missile defense.
The program also includes funding for research and development into anti-tunneling technology, after Israeli defense forces discovered dozens of burrowed tunnels into Israeli territory from Hamas over the summer. The discovery prolonged the conflict between Israel and Hamas in Gaza, during which President Barack Obama signed off on an emergency replenishment of Iron Dome funds.
“Our closest ally in the Middle East – Israel – lives under the constant threat of terrorist attacks from underground tunnel,” said Congressman Gwen Graham (D-Florida), who co-authored the anti-tunneling provision alongside Doug Lamborn (R-Colorado). “The US-Israel Anti-Tunnel Defense Cooperation Act will launch an unprecedented new initiative to protect Israel from this dangerous menace."
The provision was publicly endorsed by the American Israel Public Affairs Committee, or AIPAC, upon its passage through committee.
By Michael Wilner
