[Congressional Record Volume 156, Number 81 (Wednesday, May 26, 2010)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E943-E944]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




UNITED STATES-ISRAEL ROCKET AND MISSLE DEFENSE COOPERATION AND SUPPORT 
                                  ACT

                                 ______
                                 

                               speech of

                          HON. HENRY A. WAXMAN

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, May 19, 2010

  Mr. WAXMAN. Madam Speaker. I rise in strong support of H.R. 5327, a 
bill authorizing critical funding to ensure Israel's security. Ever 
since President Kennedy first approved the sale of Hawk missiles to 
Israel in 1962, U.S.-Israel cooperation on defensive missile systems 
has developed into a productive strategic partnership that safeguards 
the security of our ally Israel while advancing our own military edge.
  Iron Dome, the program supported by this bill, is a system of anti-
missile batteries capable of intercepting the short- and medium-range 
Qassam, Katyusha, and Grad rockets that have been used by Hamas and 
Hezbollah to terrorize Northern and Southern Israel.
  The successful testing of the first two operational batteries earlier 
this year demonstrated the system's ability to revolutionize Israel's 
ability to defend against these attacks. The bill before us authorizes 
$205 million for Israel to build and deploy 10 more mobile batteries 
that will be available for rapid deployment wherever and whenever 
needed. And it is important to note that our own military stands to 
benefit from the advanced radar and other technologies that are 
components of this system.
  During its 34-day war with Israel in 2006, the Iranian-backed 
Hezbollah movement unleashed nearly 4,000 rockets against Northern 
Israel. In the 5 years following Israel's complete withdrawal from Gaza 
in 2005, Hamas has unleashed 6,000 rockets on Southern Israel. Until 
now, Israel has had no defenses against such weapons.
  The Obama administration deserves tremendous credit for this 
initiative and its hands-on efforts to advance Israel's defensive 
capability at a critical time.
  It is no secret that Hezbollah and Hamas are rebuilding their 
arsenals. Hezbollah is believed to have rearmed with some 45,000 
rockets and missiles, including Scud missiles and other weapons that 
can hit Tel Aviv or Jerusalem. Iran continues smuggling weapons 
material to Hamas via Egypt.
  It is also no secret that Iran has in the past used its terrorist 
proxies in Lebanon and Gaza to provoke Israel and divert international 
attention from its nuclear program and its defiance of international 
law. The 2006 Lebanon war, which was precipitated by Hezbollah's 
kidnapping of three Israeli soldiers, happened just as the IAEA was 
recommending that the United Nations demand that Iran suspend all 
enrichment-related and reprocessing activities.

[[Page E944]]

  This investment to upgrade Israel's security is essential as the 
administration and Congress intensify efforts to pressure Iran with 
sanctions.
  I urge my colleagues to support this measure. I look forward to the 
full deployment of Iron Dome, and I hope that the region moves toward a 
peaceful future that will obviate its need.

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