After spending over 2.5 billion dollars in defense aid to Israel in 2009 (that number will rise to $3.15 billion by 2018), the United States’ President will ask Congress for another $200 million to ship overseas in aid of Israel.  Congress will likely agree, as there is simply too much political pressure to support Israel in its fight against Hezbollah and extremism.  Israel apparently needs help funding a project called “Iron Dome” (sounds more like the master-plan of a super-villain in some 1970′s comic book than a strategic missile defense system), a project designed to shoot down rockets fired from south Lebanon or the Gaza Strip.  “Iron Dome” was conceived and developed in Israel following the Lebanon war of 2006, during which Hezbollah launched about 4,000 rockets into northern Israel.  Southern Israel has also come under fire, with thousands of rockets and mortars fired by Palestinian militants.  Israel completed tests on the system in January. Officials say the next phase in its development is its integration into the Israeli army.  After a couple big bumps in the road (some of the biggest in years), the US government seems desperate to prove to Israel and the world its commitment to the nation.  A White House spokesman referred to the “unshakable commitment” to Israel’s security yesterday.  In March Israel approved new homes for Jews in occupied east Jerusalem.  The decision came during a visit to the holy city by Vice-President Joe Biden.  Even Secretary of State Hilary Clinton has had her ups and downs with Israeli leaders in one short year.  The announcement of US funding comes at a time when Israeli and Palestinian leaders were suppose to resume “indirect” peace talks (meaning, they’re not mature enough to speak face to face… basically).

-D