(VOA News) Luis Ramirez - The U.S. has fulfilled Israel's request for another $70 million for Iron Dome, a missile defense system aimed at protecting Israelis from rockets fired by militants in Gaza. U.S. Defense Secretary Leon Panetta said President Obama directed him to fill the Israeli request to fund a system that Panetta says has saved Israeli lives and can prevent an escalation of violence in the region. Pentagon spokesman George Little said, "Israel is in a tough neighborhood and we have for decades supported their independence and their security....We believe that an investment in Israeli security is important for Israel and important for the United States." In March, the Defense Department said the system was responsible for taking down 80% of several hundred rockets that were directed at Israel.
2012-05-18 00:00:00Full ArticleBACK Visit the Daily Alert Archive