From the Liveblog of
Tuesday, November 16, 2021
Touring Iron Dome, US envoy pledges to replenish missile system
Add ToI as a Preferred Source on GoogleJacob Magid is The Times of Israel's US bureau chief
US Ambassador to the UN Linda Thomas-Greenfield tours Israel’s Lebanon border, accompanies by IDF Galilee Division Commander Shlomi Binder.
The envoy is briefed on the security challenges Israel faces amid Lebanon’s ongoing economic collapse, the entrenchment of Hezbollah in the country and Iran’s influence in the area, the army says in a statement.
She also receives an up-close look at Israel’s US-funded Iron Dome and David’s Sling weapons systems, “which our nations developed together to save the lives of innocent civilians,” Thomas Greenfield tweets.
“We will replenish the Iron Dome system and support Israel’s ability to defend itself,” she adds, emphasizing a pledge made by US President Joe Biden.
The House overwhelmingly passed legislation to provide $1 billion in supplemental funding for the Iron Dome missile defense system, which worked on overdrive during last May’s Gaza war. The legislation is being held up in the Senate though, by Republican Rand Paul, who is demanding that funding for it be stripped from US aid to Afghanistan.
Later in the day, Thomas-Greenfield meets with the World Food Program’s Palestine director Samer Abdel Jaber, discussing the humanitarian situation in Gaza.
“We’re committed to working with the UN & partners to marshal support and provide targeted humanitarian assistance directly to Palestinians in dire need,” the envoy tweets after the meeting.
This morning, @IDF shared a look at the Iron Dome and David’s Sling systems, which our nations developed together to save the lives of innocent civilians. We will replenish the Iron Dome system and support Israel’s ability to defend itself. pic.twitter.com/KLNyTz9TUo
— U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations (@USAmbUN) November 16, 2021
The Times of Israel Community.