The United States House of Representatives approved increased funding for Israel’s defense programs Thursday, despite opposition by the Obama Administration made on Tuesday. The bill passed by a majority of 282 to 138. The House of Representatives passed an appropriations measure, passing a spending bill of $635.7 billion, $576 million of which is designated to Israel’s defense programs. The increased funding is $450 million more than requested by the Obama Administration, which may veto the bill.
According to reports, $268 million is designated to US-Israel cooperative missile and defense programs, $150 million for procurement of the David’s Sling missile defense system, $120 million for procurement of the Arrow-3 missile defense system, $72 million for procurement of the Iron Dome defense system and $25 million in research and development for US-Israel energy programs. READ MORE