Israel's MAFAT head on US Iron Dome fears: We trust our American friends

• Published date: 30 September 2021
• Author: ANNA AHRONHEIM
• Publication title: Jerusalem Post, The: Web Edition Articles (Israel)

"We got the funding in two days – one day after what happened," said Brig.-Gen. (ret.) Danny Gold. "For me, the result is important, and we trust our American friends who authorized the $1 billion."

The full story will appear in Friday's Magazine.

Gold said he was not concerned about the possibility that the funding wouldn't be approved to replenish the interceptors for the Iron Dome.

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"I didn't even think about it," he said. "We trust our American friends, and we trust Israel, which also put money into the project. It's good to have partners like the US who have both restoration and production capabilities. We also have the capabilities in Israel, but it's an issue of funding."

Earlier in the week, the US House of Representatives voted overwhelmingly to pass legislation to provide Israel with $1b. for the missile-defense system. Progressive Democrats had removed it from a government spending bill because of their position that military aid given to Israel should be conditions-based.

The Iron Dome system is built by US defense contractor Raytheon Technologies and Israel's Rafael Advanced Defense Systems and was developed with US financial help. According to a Congressional Research Service report released last year, the US has already provided more than $1.6b. for Israel to develop and build the system.

Since it went into service in 2011, the system has successfully intercepted more than 2,500 rockets and other projectiles fired into Israel.

Gold has for years worked on Israel's missile-defense systems. In 2012, he was awarded the Israel Defense Prize for his initiation and management of the Iron Dome.

The US has consistently funded the Iron Dome to help Israel defend itself against rocket attacks by terrorist groups in the Gaza Strip, Syria and Lebanon. Hamas and Palestinian Islamic Jihad fired almost 4,500 rockets and mortars at Israel during Operation Guardian of the Walls, the 11-day conflict in May.

Following the fighting, Israel requested $1b. in US aid to replenish its missile stocks. US President Joe Biden, Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin and other administration officials agreed to the request.

Israel's comprehensive protective umbrella that counters the growing missile threats includes the Iron Dome, designed to shoot down short-range rockets; the Arrow (Arrow-2 and Arrow-3) system, which intercepts ballistic...