On the eve of presumed Republican presidential nominee's Mitt Romney's visit to Israel, President Barrack Obama signs a military bill that ensures $70 million to Israel Iron Dome missile system. The bill was signed in a publicized White House ceremony in the President's Oval Office.
"What this legislation does is bring together all the outstanding cooperation that we have seen, really, at an unprecedented level between our two countries that underscore our unshakable commitment to Israel security," said President Obama according to yahoo News.
And although the bill was passed in congress last week, it is not the bill that has got people talking but its timing, as both candidates gear up for the upcoming presidential elections in November, each trying to sway constituents on their side. While Romney is working his way to Israel, Obama is trying to garner support from Jewish constituents right at home. On Sunday, the president will hold discussions with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
Obama said, "I have made it a top priority for my administration to deepen cooperation with Israel across a whole spectrum of security issues," as reported by Jerusalem Post.
The United States-Israel Enhanced Security Cooperation Act was sponsored by Senator Barbara Boxer and Howard Berman. The two sponsors along with Chairman of the Conference of Presidents of Major American Jewish Organizations Richard Stone, AIPAC Board Chairman Lee Rosenberg and Howard Friedman, past chair of the AIPAC board attended the presidential signing of the bill in the Oval Office. The bill confirms an additional $70 million to a short-range missile defense system. U.S Secretary of Defense Leon Panetta will also be making a trip to Israel on Monday.
