US House approves military aid to Israel

A rocket fired from the Iron Dome "anti-missile" system.

Source: Press TV
http://www.presstv.ir/detail/154727.html


The US House of Representatives has approved millions of dollars in military aid for Israel, saying the move is a “strong message” to both US enemies and allies.

The House voted in favor of the USD 205 million bill the administration of President Barack Obama had earmarked for Israel's advanced Iron Dome "anti-missile" system, Israeli newspaper Ha'aretz reported on Thursday.

"This was a priority of Congress and President Obama, and it is the first funding of its kind for this important short-range rocket and artillery shell defense system," said Representative Steve Rothman (D-NJ), a member of the House Appropriations Defense Subcommittee.

"This funding sends a strong message, to both our enemies and allies, by providing more total dollars than ever before toward these rocket and missile defense programs," he said.

Washington has furthermore set USD 200 million aside for the joint US-Israel “anti-missile” systems of Arrow and David's Sling.

In July, the US unveiled plans to provide Tel Aviv with its most extensive military aid package in history.

US Assistant Secretary of State Andrew J. Shapiro said at the time that Obama's team had asked Congress for nearly USD 2.775 billion in "security" assistance funding "specifically for Israel" in 2010.

The House's vote came amid a self-proclaimed US campaign aimed at bringing Tel Aviv and the Palestinian Authority back to direct negotiations, which broke off in late September due to Tel Aviv's resumption of illegal settlement activities on the occupied Palestinian lands.

Shapiro said the assistance was explained by what he called some of the toughest challenges Tel Aviv was faced with.

There is "hope that the administration's expanded commitment to Israel's security will advance the process by helping the Israeli people seize this opportunity and take the tough decisions necessary for a comprehensive peace," he said.

Rothman also confirmed that "when it comes to defense, military, and intelligence cooperation, the relationship between the US and Israel has never been stronger."

Under the same pretext of "maintaining security," Tel Aviv has been keeping the Gaza Strip under an all-out blockade since mid-June 2007, depriving 1.5-million Palestinians of food, fuel and other necessities.

US delivers new F-16s to Pakistan

Source: Press TV
http://www.presstv.ir/detail.aspx?id=132071§ionid=351020401



The US has delivered the first batch of eighteen F-16 Fighting Falcon jet fighters, branded new, to Pakistan as the two countries strengthen their military ties.

According to the US Department of Defense, three F-16s were scheduled to arrive in Pakistan on Saturday. Fifteen more will be delivered later in 2010 and 2011.

"This is the most visible part of a strong and growing relationship between the two air forces that will benefit us both near-term and long-term," the department's website quoted as saying Air Force Maj. Todd Robbins, a senior official coordinating military ties between Washington and Islamabad.

Pakistan is paying $1.4 billion for the new aircraft, in addition to $1.3 billion in upgrades to its existing F-16 fleet.

Delivery of F-16 fighter jets to Pakistan was troubled in 1990 when the White House imposed sanctions on the country for its pursuit of nuclear arms. The sanctions failed to stop Islamabad.

Washington was previously opposed to the deal, citing high tensions between nuclear-armed India and Pakistan in the volatile South Asian region.

The US says the aircraft will give the Pakistani Air Force an advantage against militancy. The new fighter is reportedly able to target precisely in all weather conditions, day and night.

The developments come at a time when the Pakistani military says it has launched a series of operations against Pakistani militants.

Pakistan's lawless tribal belt on the Afghan border remains a safe haven for militants, who have fled the 2001 US-led invasion of Afghanistan.

Pakistan has suffered a wave of violence since the former military ruler Pervez Musharraf joined the US-led war on terror following the 9/11 attacks.

US House backs Israel missile aid bill

Source: PressTV
http://www.presstv.ir/detail.aspx?id=127165§ionid=351020202



The US House of Representatives has endorsed President Barack Obama's plans to give Israel over $200 million for an anti-missile system.

The lawmakers have overwhelmingly supported the bill that gives Obama a free hand to fund Israel's plans for deploying a controversial short-range missile system called the "Iron Dome."

The House Foreign Affairs Committee chairman has described Thursday's vote as an important step. Howard Berman says Washington must make sure its most important ally can defend itself.

Israel completed tests on its Iron Dome missile system in January. It is planning to integrate the system into the army.

White House spokesman Tommy Vietor said on Thursday that Washington recognizes Israel's need to have such a system.

News of the representatives' support for the bill comes as US envoy George Mitchell wraps up his Middle East visit without making any progress in "proximity talks" with the Israeli and Palestinian sides.

Obama Grants Israel Billions of Dollars in Aid

Source: PressTV

US President Barack Obama has signed the foreign aid budget law for 2010 which includes the granting of $2.775 billion in security aid to Israel.

The Israeli Ynet news website reported that the budget signed by Obama, for the first time, also grants $500 million to the Palestinian Authority.

The aid also includes $100 million to be used by US General Keith Dayton, who is in charge of training the Palestinian security forces in the West Bank.

The aid will be handed over to the Palestinians under the condition that the American taxpayers' money will only be transferred to a Palestinian government whose members accept the conditions of the international Quartet - the United States, Russia, the European Union and the United Nations. The conditions include recognizing Israel, renouncing violence and accepting past agreements signed with the Tel Aviv regime.

The $3 billion aid is comprised of $2 billion in security aid and $1 billion in civilian aid.

The annual American security aid to Israel increased to $2.4 Billion after Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu took office and gradually relinquished the civilian aid.

The aid is accompanied by special additions to the Israeli military industries for the development of technologies, particularly in the missile field.