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House Clears $225 Million in Funding for Israel's Iron Dome Defense System
Bill Goes to President Obama, Who Is Expected to Sign It
By SIOBHAN HUGHES CONNECT
Updated Aug. 1, 2014 10:24 p.m. ET
WASHINGTON—The House on Friday cleared a bill to provide $225 million in emergency aid to Israel for its Iron Dome defense system, sending the measure to President Barack Obama in a congressional effort to support the nation amid increased fighting between Israeli forces and Hamas in the Gaza Strip.
The measure passed 395-8. Mr. Obama, who requested the money, is expected to sign the bill.
Earlier in the day, the Senate approved the measure by unanimous consent on a day when most senators had left Washington for a five-week recess. House lawmakers remained in session Friday to debate and pass a bill to deal with an influx of Central American minors along the border with Mexico.
Israel launched an offensive against Gaza on July 8, and according to the Gaza Health Ministry, 1,600 Palestinians have died. The Israeli military says 63 of its soldiers have died, along with three civilians killed by rocket fire into Israel.
Almost 3,000 rockets have been fired from the Gaza Strip at Israel since the incursion began, according to the Israeli military. While Iron Dome has brought down most of those rockets, a couple got through the defense system last month. The U.S. temporarily barred flights to Israel's main international airport.
"We will stand with you on the battlefield; we will stand with you in the court of public opinion, and we're going to push back against the United Nations," Sen. Lindsey Graham (R., S.C.) said on the Senate floor.
Earlier this week, the U.N. blamed Israel for a strike on a U.N.-run shelter for displaced Gazans, and warned of a humanitarian crisis with many in the Palestinian territory already lacking electricity and drinking water. Last week, the U.N.'s Human Rights Council established a commission of inquiry to investigate whether war crimes and crimes against humanity have been committed.
Mr. Obama had requested $4.3 billion in emergency supplemental appropriations, including $3.7 billion for the border and $615 million to combat wildfires out west. The administration asked for the $225 million for Iron Dome separately.
National Security Council spokeswoman Bernadette Meehan said Israel had requested the money to speed up production of Iron Dome components and to maintain stockpiles.
Write to Siobhan Hughes at [email protected]
House Clears $225 Million in Funding for Israel's Iron Dome Defense System - WSJ
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