'Missile defense funding debate is internal US matter' - Israel Hayom Staff

by Israel Hayom Staff

Obama administration announces opposition to congressional proposal for a $455 million increase in funding for Israeli missile defense • AIPAC says it is "deeply disappointed" with White House's move, calls on Congress to push ahead with funding.

An Iron Dome battery launches an interceptor missile | Photo credit: AP

The Obama administration on Tuesday announced its opposition to a congressional proposal for a $455 million increase in funding for Israel's missile defense program in the 2017 budget.

A statement published on Tuesday by the White House's Office of Management and Budget said the Obama administration "opposes the addition of $455 million above the FY 2017 Budget request for Israeli missile defense procurement and cooperative development programs."

Last month, the Senate Appropriations Committee recommended $600 million for Israeli missile defense in the 2017 fiscal year -- $113 million more than the previous fiscal year and $455 million above the Obama administration's request.

In a statement, the American Israel Public Affairs Committee said it was "deeply disappointed" in the Obama administration's opposition to the proposed funding increase.

"On a bipartisan basis, Congress has increased funding above administration requests this year, as it has done for well over a decade," the AIPAC statement said. "These cooperative programs -- including the Arrow, David's Sling, and Iron Dome -- are critical for Israel's defense against a growing array of missile threats and make an important contribution to U.S. missile defense programs. We applaud Congress for consistently supporting these key programs, and urge their full funding in both the FY 2017 National Defense Authorization and Appropriations Acts."

Early Wednesday afternoon, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office released a statement, clarifying the situation. "There is no cut in U.S. aid," the statement said. "The matter is an internal dispute between Congress and the White House over the size of annual increases to the missile defense program.

"Prime Minister Netanyahu is working to anchor such increases as part of the discussions on an agreement on aid for the next 10 years. Security aid for missile defense will not be cut, rather it will be increased.

"The attempt to turn the dialogue with the U.S. into a political battering tool in Israel is improper and all expressions of panic are out of place."

Earlier on Wednesday, Opposition Leader Isaac Herzog (Zionist Union) blamed Netanyahu for the Obama administration's move, saying the prime minister's "delusional fight with our most important ally has exploded and the residents of Sderot and Kiryat Shmona will pay the price for Netanyahu's arrogance and irresponsibility regarding our relationship with the United States in general and the White House in particular."

Yesh Atid leader Yair Lapid said Israel must move as quickly as possible to reach an agreement with the U.S. on a new 10-year memorandum of understanding on security assistance. 

"We have to work to restore our relationship with the U.S.," Lapid said. "Due to the deterioration of this relationship, matters of utmost importance to Israel that were once solved in closed-door talks between friends have now become the subject of public controversy."

Israel Hayom Staff

Source: http://www.israelhayom.com/site/newsletter_article.php?id=34363

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