Rep. Steve Israel completed his first stop in Israel as part of a Congressional delegation traveling in the Middle East last week. As part of their first stop in Israel, the delegation met with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and visited several military sites to receive an update on the country’s missile defense systems and joint missile defense efforts. The group also met with U.S. Ambassador to Israel Daniel Shapiro and members of the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF).
“The close bond between the United States and Israel has never been more important to the security of both our countries,” said Rep. Israel. “During our visit with Prime Minister Netanyahu and members of the IDF, my colleagues and I reaffirmed our commitment to strengthening our missile defense collaboration and supporting Israel’s responsibility to defend itself against indiscriminate rocket attacks. As an outspoken leader in Congress on pro-Israel issues, I will continue to work to strengthen the partnership between our two countries.”
Rep. Israel is a member of the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Defense, which oversees funding to U.S. missile defense programs, as well as U.S.-Israel collaborative missile defense programs, including Iron Dome and David’s Sling and Arrow. He has also helped lead the funding of cutting-edge military equipment and technologies to maintain Israel’s qualitative military edge. In July 2014, the House of Representatives passed legislation introduced by Rep. Israel, the Israel-Cole Resolution, which expressed unyielding support for Israel’s right to defend itself.
