The US House of Representatives voted overwhelmingly for legislation to provide $1 billion to Israel to refill its “Iron Dome” missile-defense system, just two days after funding was removed from the sweeping spending bill .
The measure passed 420 to 9, with two members voting.
Some of the most liberal House Democrats objected to the provision, saying they would vote against the massive spending bill if it were included. It threatened passage of the bill, with Democrats controlling only the House, as Republicans oppose plans to fund the federal government and raise the country’s borrowing limits until December 3.
Despite a long tradition in the US Congress of both parties’ strong support for the Jewish state, Republicans have led Democrats to label them as anti-Israeli, to which Washington sends billions of dollars in aid each year.
Israel responded quickly. Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennett said, “Thanks to all members of the US House of Representatives, Democratic and Republican, for their broad support for Israel and commitment to its security. Those who tried to challenge this support received an overwhelming response today ” in a statement.
Some liberal Democrats recently expressed concern about the United States’ Israel policy, citing Palestinian civilian casualties as Israel responded to Hamas’ rocket attacks in May. Israel said most of the 4,350 rockets fired from Gaza during the conflict were shot down from the sky by Iron Dome interceptors.
“We should also talk about the need for Palestinian security against an Israeli attack,” Democratic Representative Rashida Tlaib said during the debate.
The bill, which was introduced in the House on Wednesday, provides $1 billion to replace the missile interceptors used during the May conflict.
There was no immediate word on the timing of the vote in the Senate.
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