Approval of Another Million-Dollar Aid to Israel by House Armed Services Committee

The Armed Services Committee in the U.S. House of Representatives approved another million-dollar military aid to the Israeli army, amounting to $747 million. Israeli media reported on Friday, April 30, that two-thirds of this U.S. financial aid will be allocated to strengthen short-range, medium-range, and long-range missile systems for the Israeli army. $267 million of this aid is designated for research aimed at finding a solution to identify 'terrorist tunnels' at the Gaza-Israel border. It is estimated that the granting of this aid will receive final approval during the voting in the House of Representatives and the Senate, given the Republican majority and the support of many Democrats for the continuation of military aid to Israel. According to a report by the 'Times of Israel' on Friday, April 30, the donated funds will be used to strengthen the 'Iron Dome' system to counter short-range rockets, the 'David's Sling' system to counter medium-range missiles, and the 'Arrow' system to counter long-range missiles. Israel effectively used the 'Iron Dome' system to defend its citizens during last summer's military operation in Gaza, suffering only five civilian casualties despite thousands of rockets being launched from Gaza. Meanwhile, AIPAC, the American-Israel Public Affairs Committee, has urged Congress to include new aid in the U.S. military budget for 2016 for Israel. The new military aid to Israel was approved by the House Armed Services Committee amid ongoing tensions between the Israeli and U.S. governments. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has clashed with Barack Obama over U.S. policy in seeking a final nuclear agreement with Iran, openly and harshly criticizing him. Obama recently stated that he would not meet with Netanyahu or invite him to the White House until a final nuclear agreement is reached between Iran and the world powers. Additionally, U.S. National Security Advisor Susan Rice and Deputy Secretary of State Wendy Sherman emphasized that the U.S. is waiting for the new Israeli government's position regarding the stalled Israeli-Palestinian peace process. For the first time, the U.S. has stated that it can no longer prevent the approval of a resolution to 'end the occupation' of Palestinian territories and the independence of the Palestinian state in the Security Council. Despite all these disagreements over Iran and Palestine, U.S. and Israeli officials agree that U.S. military and financial aid to Israel has never been as high as during Barack Obama's presidency. Some estimates suggest that the U.S. has provided more than $70 billion in aid to Israel since its establishment, with at least $67 billion being provided until four years ago. The U.S. still provides over $3 billion in military aid to Israel annually.