US Senate approves $225 million for Israeli 'Iron Dome' system

After earlier version blocked by Republicans over unrelated immigration crisis at US-Mexico border, Senate passes emergency funding.

News Agencies

The US Senate unanimously passed legislation on Friday to provide $225 million in emergency funding for Israel's "Iron Dome" missile defense system.

The money will go to restocking Israel's Iron Dome defense, which has been credited with shooting down dozens of incoming rockets fired by Hamas during a three-week war.

Iron Dome interceptor missile launch (Photo: AFP)

An earlier version of the funding plan had failed on Thursday when Senate Republicans blocked a broader spending bill that was largely intended to provide money to handle the current immigration crisis at the US-Mexico border.

Iron Dome interceptor missiles over Tel Aviv (Photo: Pini Netrovich)

But lawmakers reached an agreement overnight to pass the missile funding measure.

Iron Dome launches interceptor missile (Photo: Yaron Brenner)

To become law, the funding plan must still pass the House of Representatives and be signed by President Barack Obama. Given US lawmakers traditionally strong support for Israel, it is not expected to encounter significant resistance in the House.
Israel's Iron Dome missile interceptor system, which was partly funded by the United States, has shot down most of the rockets fired at its cities by militants in Gaza during the current three-week conflict.