From the Liveblog of
Tuesday, August 5, 2014
Obama signs off on additional $225 million for Iron Dome
US President Barack Obama signs a bill granting an additional $225 million in US taxpayer dollars for Israel’s Iron Dome missile defense system.
President Obama puts down his pen after signing "The Iron Dome bill" in the Oval Office. pic.twitter.com/5E2hFNPE0w
— Doug Mills (@dougmillsnyt) August 4, 2014
The defense system has been highly effective in the current round of violence between Israel and Hamas in the Gaza Strip, allowing the Israeli military to shoot down incoming rockets headed toward major population centers in Israel. Officials say it has a success rate as high as 90 percent.
The US has provided hundreds of millions of dollars for Iron Dome in the past. The new package is intended to replenish Israel’s capabilities.
Congress approved the money last week before lawmakers left for their annual summer break. Obama signed the bill in the Oval Office with a handful of photographers present.
— AP contributed
