US votes to strengthen security ties with Israel

House of Representatives authorizes defense trade, extending loan guarantees

WASHINGTON (AP) — The US House of Representatives passed a bill on Tuesday that would strengthen economic and security ties between the United States and Israel. The bipartisan legislation, which was approved by voice vote, would reaffirm the United States’ commitment to Israel and American support for the Mideast ally’s right to self-defense.

The bill would extend current loan guarantees to Israel that expire later this year and authorizes the transfer of obsolete or surplus defense material from the United States to Israel.

The bill reiterates US support for a negotiated two-state solution to resolve the conflict between the Israelis and Palestinians.