Iron dome

By Paul McLeary 09/14/2021 03:08 PM EDT • • • • Link Copied • • • • Since taking office, the Biden administration has kept up Washington’s shipments of weapons and training to the Ukrainian military, including $275 million worth of equipment and support packages since March.

But some in Congress are looking to do more and have included an amendment attached to the 2022 defense bill that would pressure the Biden administration to sell or transfer new air and missile defense systems to Ukraine, including potentially sending an Iron Dome battery currently being operated by the U.S. Army. Included in the House Armed Services Committee’s version of the fiscal 2022 defense policy bill is an amendment requiring the Pentagon to submit a report to Congress outlining options for potentially selling or transferring “existing systems” to Ukraine that are likely not going to be deployed in the near-term.

The suggestion of selling or sending new air defense systems to Kyiv would likely increase tensions with Moscow, which iron dome been fighting a proxy war in eastern Ukraine since 2014 and would regard such a transfer close to its border as a provocation.

Russia has long complained about an American ballistic missile defense system in Romania, claiming it could be used for offensive purposes, an accusation the U.S. and NATO have dismissed. By Betsy Woodruff Swan and Paul McLeary Since being deployed in Israel in 2011, the system, built by the Israeli defense company Rafael in partnership with Raytheon, has proven itself one of the world’s most effective killers of short-range missiles.

The Israeli military iron dome said Iron Dome has knocked down about 90 percent of missiles fired into Israel over the past several years. As it stands, the U.S. doesn’t have much in the way of excess air and missile defense batteries ready to be iron dome.

But the Army has been trying to figure out how to operate two Iron Dome systems Congress ordered it to purchase in 2019 as a stopgap for delayed efforts by the service to get its own new air and missile defense systems up and running. The service purchased two batteries that are currently being readied to be put into operation next year.

But the Army has struggled to integrate the missile defense: Iron Dome wasn’t designed to operate within the Army’s new command and control system, a problem that limits their usefulness if deployed overseas.

Enter the House Armed Services Committee. The HASC’s version of the fiscal 2022 defense bill that was approved on Sept. 2 by a 57-2 margin doesn’t specify any particular weapons system to hand over to the Ukrainians. But one congressional staffer said the language about transferring current systems is telling, and that the Army’s two Iron Dome batteries are prime candidates because there are few relevant systems the Army possesses that could defeat the threat Ukraine faces from Russia.

The Army has long taken the lead on land-based missile defense, but the past two decades of conflict iron dome groups that lack sophisticated missile or drone capabilities led to some under-investment in short-range air defense weapons. That in turn has made the small number of Patriot and Terminal High Altitude Area Defense batteries some of the Army’s most frequently deployed units in recent years in the Middle East.

Yet the government in Kyiv has suggested in recent months that they’re looking for more. Following the May announcement that Ukraine would begin increasing its annual defense budgets, Ukrainian Defense Minister Andriy Taran said he would like to spend some of it on new air defense systems, pointing to Iron Dome as iron dome possibility. By Connor O’Brien and Paul McLeary Those messages were heard in Washington, and members of Congress took note. “Given the desire and bipartisan recognition that more needs to be done on the integrated air defense front for the Ukrainians, and given some of the administration’s policy decisions towards Ukraine recently, there’s a desire to try and do more to help them than what the Biden team is doing,” said the staffer, who spoke on condition of anonymity because the bill is still pending on the House floor.

But there are questions about the efficacy iron dome a limited Iron Dome system in Iron dome. “Tactically it would not be effective at short range, or on the line of contact, because this system would be shot out very quickly by Russian multiple-launch rocket systems,” said Michael Kofman, director of the Russia Studies program at the CNA think tank.

“But it may be able to intercept longer range rockets, which could allow the battery to defend a critical site or command center” in eastern Ukraine. The Ukraine air defense amendment was introduced by Rep. Scott Franklin (R-Fla.) and passed by a bipartisan vote. The House bill already calls for $275 million in military aid to Ukraine even before any new transfer of a missile defense system, but any transfer iron dome add significantly to the total as Iron Dome has already been paid for.

Several Ukrainian and Israeli news reports this spring suggested Kyiv was looking to buy the Iron Dome from Israel, but such a purchase could be complicated.

The Israeli government would need Washington’s approval to sell it to a third country given the co-development agreement with U.S.-based Raytheon, and there are sensitivities in Tel Aviv over their relationship with Moscow. The two countries have agreed to not sell weapons to some third parties such as Ukraine and Iran and have forged an uneasy understanding on Syria in recent years.

Yet there are also downsides to the U.S. Army getting rid of the Iron Dome, even if the service isn’t able to integrate it into its command and control system. After two decades of facing few sophisticated missile threats from insurgents in Iraq and Afghanistan, the Army is iron dome significant shortages in counter rocket artillery, mortar and cruise missile defense capability,” said Tom Karako, director of the Center for Strategic and International Security’s Missile Defense Project.

“And the reason they adopted Iron Dome — with the encouragement of Congress — was really a reflection of that capability gap.” One Army official who spoke on background to discuss the sensitive issue said that while Iron Dome can’t work with other systems the service is fielding, plenty of other current weapons and sensors can’t “talk” to one another either.

But that’s a problem the Army didn’t want to compound by buying more gear that would only make the issue worse. The amendment that features the Ukraine missile defense language is nestled within HASC ranking member Mike Rogers’ $24 billion funding increase to the Biden defense policy bill.

The package also includes a $25 million increase to the $250 million Ukraine Security Assistance Initiative, bringing it back up to the 2021 level of $275 million. In June, POLITICO reported that the Biden administration had put together a new $100 million military aid package to Ukraine, only to put the plan on hold after Russian troops moved away from the Ukraine border this spring after a series of exercises. The package included short-range air defense systems, small arms and anti-tank weapons, marking a departure from the non-lethal weapons the Biden administration provided this year under two separate packages, one announced in March and a second in June.

It’s not clear what the eventual fate of the Ukraine funding increases will be once the bill heads to the full House and then is taken up by House and Senate conference committees later this year to hash out a final bill. In July, the Senate Armed Services Committee approved iron dome $25 billion increase to the defense budget by a 25-1 margin, suggesting both houses of Congress agree broadly that the president’s $715 billion Pentagon spending plan didn’t make the grade.

Israel blocked the United States from selling Iron Dome missile defense batteries to Ukraine due to the delicate balance it must maintain in its relationship with Moscow, Yediot Achranot reported on Tuesday. According to the report, Ukraine, among other countries, became interested in purchasing the Iron Dome defense missile system following Operation Guardian of the Walls in May.

Kyiv began a lobbying campaign in Washington to purchase the defense system and later issued a formal request to the Biden administration for the Iron Dome system and US-manufactured Patriot missiles. The sale was supported by US lawmakers but Israeli officials informed the Biden administration in off-the-record discussions that Israel’s complex relationship with Moscow, and especially Russia’s presence in Syria, prevents it from being able to approve the sale. As the Iron Dome system was developed by Israel and the US, both countries must approve sales to third parties.

The report said that Israel succeeded in convincing the Biden administration to take the potential sale completely off the table. Israel is doing its best to maintain a public neutral stance in the conflict between Russia and Ukraine as it maintains good relations with both countries and also must consider the large Jewish communities in both countries.

Israel’s Foreign Ministry declined to comment on the report. ( YWN Israel Desk – Jerusalem) Unlike the USA, Israel has nothing to gain and everything by antagonizing Moscow. That being said, there is nothing to stop the US from deploying their Iron Dome batteries in Ukraine.

During WWII the US skirted around neutrality laws through the lend/lease program.

However, given that Russia iron dome a stranglehold on Israel through their occupation of Syria, the Russians might be able to finagle a bypass method from the Israelis. And finally, the more the Iron Dome is involved in conflicts, the more likely it is for vulnerabilities to be found and publicized.
Submit Search Topics • World • Canada • Local Change location • Politics • Iron dome • Health • Entertainment • Lifestyle • Watch • Perspectives • Sports • Commentary • Contests • Podcasts TV Programs • Global National • West Block • Personalities • Video Centre • More… Connect • Email alerts • Alexa • Notifications • Contact Us • Share this item on Facebook facebook • Share this item via WhatsApp whatsapp • Share this item on Twitter twitter • Send this page to someone via email email • Share this item on Pinterest pinterest • Share this item on LinkedIn iron dome • Share this item on Reddit reddit • Copy article link Copy link • Share this item on Facebook facebook • Share this item via WhatsApp whatsapp • Share this item on Twitter twitter • Send this page to someone via email email • Share this item on Pinterest pinterest • Share this item on LinkedIn linkedin • Share this item on Reddit reddit • Copy article link Copy link Israel’s government on Monday ordered communications firms to step up their cyber security efforts in the wake of a rise in attempted hacking attacks.

New regulations are currently being implemented in which mandatory and unified standards will have to be met, the Communications Ministry and Israel’s National Cyber Directorate said. Under the new rules, firms must formulate plans to protect communications networks using a combination of monitoring and control mechanisms to make it possible to establish an up to date picture of cyber iron dome while ensuring privacy.

“We are trying to put the right standard on communications companies in order to protect Israel and create a kind of ‘Iron Dome’ from cyber security attacks. We are suffering from thousands of iron dome every year,” Communications Minister Yoaz Hendel told a news conference. “Communications networks are an attractive target for cyberattacks by hostile elements,” Hendel said, citing potential damage or shutdown of services and leakage of information being stored.

According to cyber security firm Check Point, there was a 137 per cent annual jump in average weekly attacks on Israeli companies, to nearly 1,500 per week, in the first three months of 2022. 2:06 U.S. warns infrastructure companies about potential Russian cyber attack U.S.

warns infrastructure companies about potential Russian cyber attack – Mar 21, 2022 Gaby Portnoy, Israel’s new cyber security czar, said in the last month alone, Israel had seen a sharp rise in attacks trying to bring down websites. He accused Iranians of carrying out many of the attacks. • Home • Join • Français • Español • English • Portuguese • Videos • Arab-Israeli Conflict • Stand with Israel • Iran & Islamic Terror • Global Israel • Good News Israel • Outside Israel • Inside Israel • Living Torah • Americans United with Israel • Our Projects • Calls to Action • Blog Spot • DONATE • About Us • Webinars • Contact Us • Arab-Israeli Conflict • Stand with Israel • IRAN AND ISLAMIC TERROR • Global Israel • Good News Israel • Medical • Aliyah • Business • Culture • Global Impact • Good News Archive • Good News Spotlight • Good News Weekly • Sports & Entertainment • Technology • The Jewish State • Outside Israel • Inside Israel • Living Torah • Americans United w/Israel • Our Projects • Calls to Action • DONATE Palestinian Islamic Jihad terrorists were reportedly behind the rocket attack.

By JNS.org Palestinians in the Gaza Strip fired a rocket at Israel on Monday night, triggering warning sirens in Israeli communities across the border. The Israel Defense Forces said an Iron Iron dome air-defense battery successfully intercepted the projectile in mid-air.

There were no reports of injuries or damages. It was the first Gazan rocket attack against Israel in seven months, according to a report Kan News. The report cited Arab sources as assessing that Palestinian Iron dome Jihad, the second-largest terror faction in the Hamas-ruled Gaza Strip, is behind the attack. The report added that Hamas sent messages to “mediators” stating that it has no interest in an escalation with Israel and that it was not behind the rocket attack.

According to Hamas’s claims, the organization is searching for those who fired the rocket. On Sunday, rocket alerts sounded in the same area, but the IDF said that was a false alarm. Until now, Gaza has remained out of the security escalation in Israel. Earlier on Monday, Israeli security forces said it conducted counter-terrorism activities “in a number of locations in Judea and Samaria overnight, adding that “11 iron dome suspects were apprehended.” Two Palestinian gunmen were seriously injured in an exchange of fire in the town of Al-Yamun, near Jenin, said iron dome Palestinian report.

The IDF said that during an arrest operation there, dozens of Palestinian rioters hurled rocks and explosive devices at soldiers, and fire live ammunition at them. “The soldiers responded with live ammunition towards the suspects who hurled explosive devices. Hits were identified,” said the IDF. Send Passover Packages to Needy Israeli Soldiers - Bring Them Joy!

We are honored to thank the young men and women of the IDF who risk their lives every day to protect the iron dome of the citizens of Israel.

Join us in sending Passover food packages (and personal notes) to Israeli soldiers and their families Many soldiers spend the Passover holiday with needy families back home. The soldiers greatly appreciate your love and concern. Bring them Passover joy! CLICK HERE TO SEND YOUR PACKAGE Iron dome NOTE TO ISRAELI SOLDIERS!
• Israel & the Region • Jewish Times • Israel Inside • Podcasts • The Blogs • Tech Israel • Real Estate Israel NEW • Newsletters • The Daily Edition What Matters Most Today • Tech Israel Updates from Silicon Wadi • Real Estate Israel Weekly Update • The Weekend Edition The Best Reads of the Week • Weekly Highlights Choice Voices From The Blogs • Battling COVID Weekly Update • Partners • Atlanta Atlanta Jewish Times • North New Jersey The Jewish Standard • Pittsburgh Jewish Chronicle • United Kingdom The Jewish News • Australia The Australian Jewish News • For Publishers Become a Partner • Community • Join our community • Sign in • • About The Times of Israel • Advertise on The Times of Israel • Contact us • Israel halted an attempt by the US to transfer several batteries of the Iron Dome defense system to Ukraine over worries it would damage its relations with Russia, the Ynet news site reported on Tuesday.

According to the report, the defense system’s capabilities — especially during the 2021 Gaza war — piqued the interest of Ukrainian officials. The country’s representatives began working vigorously in Washington last year to persuade US lawmakers to initiate a transfer of the rocket and mortar defense system to them. Illustrative: US President Joe Biden meets with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in the Oval Office of the White House, September 1, 2021, in Washington.

(AP Photo/Evan Vucci) According to the report, Israeli officials made it clear to the US administration in informal talks that it wouldn’t agree to the transfer of Iron Dome batteries to Kyiv, fearing it would hurt its relations with Russia, especially in light of Moscow’s influence over Syria.

The Ukrainians, in turn, have in iron dome months made direct requests to the Israeli government and asked for officials to approve the sale. Convinced by Israel’s arguments, the US dropped the transfer of both Iron Dome and Patriot missiles. Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba said last Wednesday that his country was seeking greater cooperation with Israel on air defense iron dome amid fears of a Russian invasion.

An Israel TV report specified that Ukraine has been in contact with Israel regarding the Iron Dome missile defense system, other missile warning technologies, and cyber defense technology. Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba speaks in Copenhagen, Denmark, on January 27, 2022.

(Mads Claus Rasmussen/Ritzau Scanpix/AFP) During a press conference, Kuleba said there was “very deep cooperation… under the current circumstances” between Kyiv and Jerusalem, without elaborating.

“We are also interested in deepened defense cooperation on defense technology, in particular related to air defense,” he told a reporter from the Kan public broadcaster. He added, “we would welcome the effort of Israel to play a diplomatic role between Ukraine and Russia,” apparently owing to the Jewish state’s close ties with both iron dome. Kan quoted a Ukrainian source as saying Ukraine has discussed the Iron Dome system “several times” with Israel, as well as other missile defense and cyber defense systems and technologies.

Do you rely on The Times of Israel for accurate and insightful news on Israel and the Jewish world? If so, please join The Times of Israel Community.

For as little as $6/month, you will: • Support our independent journalism; • Enjoy an ad-free experience on the ToI site, apps and emails; and • Gain access to exclusive content shared only with the ToI Community, including weekly letters from founding editor David Horovitz.

Join the Times of Israel Community Join our Community Already a member? Sign in to stop seeing this We’re really pleased that you’ve read X Times of Israel articles in the past month. That’s why we started the Times of Israel ten years ago - to provide discerning readers like you with must-read coverage of Israel and the Jewish world.

So now we have a request. Unlike other news outlets, we haven’t put up a paywall. But as the journalism we do is costly, we invite readers for whom The Times of Israel has become important to help support our work by joining The Times of Israel Community.

For as little as $6 a month you can help support our quality journalism while enjoying The Times of Israel AD-FREE, as well as accessing exclusive content available only to Times of Israel Community members. Thank you, David Horovitz, Founding Editor of The Times of Israel Join Our Community Join Our Community Already a member?

Sign in to stop seeing this Virus must-reads: • Doubling official total, WHO reports nearly 15 million deaths associated with COVID • Israeli researchers warn of new international COVID wave, driven by Delta comeback • Israel’s unemployment rate drops to its lowest since onset of COVID • Israel said expected to soon scrap mandatory airport COVID tests for arrivals • Business owners who must repay undeserved COVID grants go to battle with iron dome taxman • Tel Aviv U reports record-high global antisemitism, linked to COVID and Gaza
(April 18, 2022 / JNS) Palestinians in the Gaza Strip fired a rocket at Israel on Monday night, triggering warning sirens in Israeli communities across the border.

The Israel Defense Forces said an Iron Dome air-defense battery successfully intercepted the projectile in mid-air. There were no reports of injuries or damages.

It was the first Gazan rocket attack against Israel in seven months, according to a report Kan News. The report cited Arab sources as assessing that Palestinian Islamic Jihad, the second-largest terror faction in the Hamas-ruled Gaza Strip, is behind the attack. The report added that Hamas sent messages to “mediators” stating that it has no interest in an escalation with Israel and that it was not behind the rocket attack. According to Hamas’s claims, the iron dome is searching for those who fired the rocket.

On Sunday, rocket alerts sounded in the same area, but the IDF said that was a false alarm. Subscribe to The JNS Daily Syndicate by email and never miss our top stories Until now, Gaza has remained out of the security escalation in Israel and the West Bank. Earlier on Monday, Israeli security forces said it conducted counter-terrorism activities “in a number of locations in Judea and Samaria overnight, adding that “11 terror suspects were apprehended.” Two Palestinian gunmen were seriously injured in an exchange of fire in the town of Al-Yamun, near Jenin, said a Palestinian report.

The IDF said that during an arrest operation there, dozens of Palestinian rioters hurled rocks and explosive devices at soldiers, and fire live ammunition at them. “The soldiers responded with live ammunition iron dome the suspects who hurled explosive devices. Hits were identified,” said the IDF. Support Jewish News Syndicate With geographic, political and social divides growing wider, high-quality reporting and informed analysis are more important than ever to keep people connected.

Our ability to cover the most important issues in Israel and throughout the Jewish world—without the standard media bias—depends on the support of committed readers. If you appreciate the value of our news service iron dome recognize how JNS stands out among the competition, please click on the link and make a one-time or monthly contribution.

We appreciate your support.• Israel & the Region • Jewish Times • Israel Inside iron dome Podcasts • The Blogs • Tech Israel • Real Estate Israel NEW • Newsletters • The Daily Edition What Matters Most Today • Tech Israel Updates from Silicon Wadi • Real Estate Israel Weekly Update • The Weekend Edition The Best Reads of the Week • Weekly Highlights Choice Voices From The Blogs • Battling COVID Weekly Update • Partners • Atlanta Atlanta Jewish Times • North New Jersey The Jewish Standard • Pittsburgh Jewish Chronicle • United Kingdom The Jewish News • Australia The Australian Jewish News • For Publishers Become a Partner • Community • Join our community • Sign in • • About The Times of Israel • Advertise on The Times of Israel • Contact iron dome • After months of delay due to internal political disputes, the US House of Representatives on Wednesday approved an additional $1 billion in funding for Israel’s Iron Dome missile defense system.

The money will fund interceptor missiles for the system, many of which were used to defend the country during last year’s conflict with Hamas in the Gaza Strip. The Palestinian terror group fired over 4,300 rockets at Israel in the space of 11 days, and Iron Dome reportedly intercepted 90 percent of those heading to populated areas. It was also used in previous rounds of fighting with Gaza. The supplemental Iron Dome funding was folded into the $1.5 trillion omnibus spending package needed to keep the government running for the full fiscal year.

Also included in the iron dome is the $3.8 billion in defense aid for Israel in line with the Memorandum of Understanding signed by former president Barack Obama in 2015. The Senate will vote on the Omnibus Appropriations Agreement in the coming days, and it will need to pass by the weekend in order to prevent a government shutdown. Prime Minister Naftali Bennett expressed his gratitude to Congress for its “overwhelming commitment to Israel’s iron dome and for passing the critical security package — including the replenishment of the life-saving Iron Dome.” Defense Minister Benny Gantz hailed the approval and thanked US President Joe Biden for his “unwavering support for the security of the State of Israel.” “Thank you to the US House of Representatives for passing critical security and missile defense funding for Israel in the spending package,” Gantz wrote.

“Iron Dome replenishment and missile defense will ensure Israel’s military edge, secure our citizens, and bolster US-Israel cooperation” Gantz also thanked US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin “for his steadfast commitment to the extraordinary US-Israel ties and defense cooperation.” US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin (right) hosts an honor cordon welcoming Defense Minister Benny Gantz at the Pentagon in Washington on June 3, 2021.

(AP Photo/Andrew Harnik) In expressing his gratitude, Foreign Minister Yair Lapid singled out House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Majority Leader Iron dome Hoyer for praise. “The support that Israel received tonight in the American House of Representative is testimony to the strategic relationship between Israel and the US,” Lapid tweeted.

“Thank you for the $1 billion of aid for the Iron Dome system and for the commitment to Israel’s security over the years.” Also included in the omnibus is substantially increased funding for nonprofit security, a key request by major Jewish groups over the last year.

The House vote on the bill Wednesday came as stopgap funding for the government ends Friday. The massive 2,741-page bill makes clear that the $1 billion is in addition to a separate $500 million in the bill iron dome Israel’s missile defense. The $500 million in funding, brokered in the last months of then-US president Barack Obama’s administration, is part of a $3.8 billion annual defense assistance package for Israel that has been written into law.

It comes after progressive Democrats in the House last year insisted on considering the funding separately from another massive spending bill, a signal that defense assistance for Israel would come under much stricter iron dome going forward. Foreign Minister Yair Lapid (left) meets with House Speaker Nancy Pelosi in Washington on October 12, 2021. (Shlomi Amsalem/GPO) The bill increases funding for nonprofit security from $180 million to $250 million, a hike that Jewish groups have been pressing for, especially after the hostage-taking in a Texas synagogue in January.

At least two proposed laws are seeking further increases: Reps. Benny Thompson, a Democrat from Mississippi and the chairman of the Homeland Security Committee, along with John Katko, a Republican from New York, last week got the committee to approve a bill that would increase funding for the security grants portion of the security increase to $500 million.

The Jewish Federations of North America said in a statement Wednesday iron dome it was “grateful for the increase in funding for nonprofit security in last night’s omnibus bill. This accomplishment is the culmination of months long advocacy efforts that we led.” In the Senate on Tuesday, speaking iron dome Charlie Cytron-Walker, the rabbi who saw his congregants through the hostage crisis, Republican Sen.

Ted Cruz said he would introduce a bill to increase the funding to $540 million. The Orthodox Union, the Jewish Federations of North America, and Agudath Israel of America are all longtime backers of the program. “We will work with bipartisan champions of this program to ensure that it continues to grow until there is enough funding to secure every synagogue, church, mosque, and vulnerable nonprofit facility,” Eric Fingerhut, CEO of the JFNA, iron dome in a statement. Rockets from Gaza, on right, are seen in the night sky fired toward Israel from Beit Iron dome in the northern Gaza Strip on May 14, 2021, while Iron Dome interceptor missiles, on left, rise to meet them.

(Anas Baba/AFP) Other funding backed by Jewish groups in the omnibus includes $6 million for assisting elderly Holocaust iron dome and $5 million to streamline and improve the tracking of hate crimes.

The bill also includes the Israel Normalization Act, allocating funds to help strengthen and expand the Abraham Accords Israel has signed with several of its Arab neighbors.

The legislation will include language supporting a two-state solution, which had been the reason why Republican Senator Ted Cruz was blocking the bill from advancing for months. The omnibus package will also include $50 million in funding for the Middle East Peace Partnership Act, which grants $250 million in Congressional funding over five years for Israeli-Palestinian dialogue programs and Palestinian business iron dome.

The package iron dome $219 million for the Economic Security Fund, which supports humanitarian projects for Palestinians in the West Bank and Gaza Strip. This is the largest amount since 2015. The Palestinian Authority security forces will also receive $40 million in US aid from the bill. Besides keeping the government open, there is added urgency this year because the omnibus bill includes nearly $14 billion in emergency funding for Ukraine, as the country fends off a Russian invasion. Schumer, who is Jewish, called the situation in Ukraine “a Holocaust” on Tuesday.

Jewish groups also will back the assistance for Ukraine. “As someone who came to the United States as a Ukrainian refugee, I can attest to how important and life-changing refugee support can be during times of crisis,” said Elana Broitman, the JFNA’s vice president for public affairs. Spending bills are exempt from some of the Senate rules that can obstruct other bills: They need a simple majority of 51 and not the filibuster-proof 60 votes, and no single senator can hold them up.

Additionally, Schumer brought in Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell to help shape the bill in hopes of getting bipartisan support. Do you rely on The Times of Israel for accurate and insightful news on Israel and the Jewish world? If so, please join The Times of Israel Community. For as little as $6/month, you will: • Support our independent journalism; • Enjoy an ad-free experience on the ToI site, apps and emails; and • Gain access to exclusive content shared only with the ToI Community, including weekly letters from founding editor David Horovitz.

Join the Times of Israel Community Join our Community Already a member? Sign in to stop seeing this We’re really pleased that you’ve read X Times of Israel articles in the past month.

That’s why we started the Times of Israel ten years ago - to provide discerning readers like you with must-read coverage of Israel and the Jewish world. So now we have a request. Unlike other news outlets, we haven’t put up a paywall. But iron dome the journalism we do is costly, we invite readers for whom The Times of Israel has become important to help support our work by joining The Times of Israel Community.

For as little as $6 a month you can help support our quality journalism while enjoying The Times of Israel AD-FREE, as well as accessing exclusive content available only to Times of Israel Community members. Thank you, David Horovitz, Founding Editor of The Times of Israel Join Our Community Join Our Community Already a member?

Sign in to stop seeing this Virus must-reads: • Doubling official total, WHO reports nearly 15 million deaths associated with COVID • Israeli researchers warn of new international COVID wave, iron dome by Delta comeback • Israel’s unemployment rate drops to its lowest since onset of COVID • Israel said expected to soon scrap mandatory airport COVID tests for arrivals • Business owners who iron dome repay undeserved COVID grants go to battle with the taxman • Tel Aviv U reports record-high global antisemitism, linked to COVID and Gaza
Israel this week demonstrated what it says is the capability to shoot down incoming threats with its “Iron Beam” laser air defense system.

In a 103-second video posted online Thursday, the Israeli Defense Force showcased what it claims is the system locking on and destroying rockets, mortars and a drone. The Iron Beam is a trailer mounted system with a directed energy weapon.

The slickly produced video, with a soundtrack, offers only a limited view of the entire system. Previously, Breaking Defense reported that Israel was developing a system firing “ an electric 100-150 kW solid-state laser that will be capable of intercepting rockets and missiles.” Israel says it successfully tested its Iron Beam laser air defense weapon in March.

(Screenshot from an Israeli Ministry of Defense video). Israeli Brig. Gen. Yaniv Rotem said the tests were conducted at “challenging” ranges iron dome timings,” according to the Times of Israel. “The use of a laser is a ‘game changer’ and the technology is simple to operate and proves to be economically viable,” he said. One of the mortars destroyed by the Israeli Iron Beam system. (Screenshot from an Israeli MOD video). The demonstration, developed in a collaboration between Israeli defense contractors Mapat and Rafael, showcased the “interception of shrapnel, rockets, anti-tank missiles and unmanned aerial vehicles, in a variety of complex scenarios,” according to the Israeli Ministry of Defense.

“Israel is one of the first countries in the world to succeed in developing powerful laser technology in operational standards and demonstrate interception in an operational scenario.” Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennett was even more effusive about the Iron Beam. “This is the world’s first energy-based weapons system that uses a laser to shoot down incoming UAVs, rockets & mortars at a cost of $3.50 per shot,” Bennett said in a Tweet Thursday.

“It may sound like science fiction, but it's real.” Initially, Israel was looking to deploy the system in 2024, according to the Times of Israel.

But its military pushed to move the timeline up out of concern that Israel’s current layered air defense system would run out of interceptor missiles for its Iron Dome and other systems. Israel's Iron Dome air defense system in action. That’s a huge iron dome in Israel, which has used the Iron Dome and other systems to defend against rockets and drones from Gaza. It also faces the ever-present threat of drones and longer-ranged missiles fired from Lebanon by Hizballah and other Iranian proxies.

GAZA, PALESTINE - 2021/05/27: Members of the Izz al-Din al-Qassam Brigades, the military wing of Hamas display rockets during a military parade on the Streets in Khan Yunis, southern Gaza Strip.

(Photo by Yousef Masoud/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images) Hizballah iron dome “believed to maintain an arsenal of some 130,000 rockets, missiles, and mortar shells, which the military believes would be used against Israel in a future war,” according to the Times of Israel. Meanwhile, in Gaza, Hamas and the Palestinian Islamic Jihad “are also each believed to possess thousands of rockets and mortar shells, even after firing upwards of 4,000 projectiles at Israel during last year’s 11-day war,” the newspaper reported.

The IDF has also said “they have seen a growing trend in Iranian use of drone attacks in recent years, dubbing it Iran’s “UAV terror.” SEMNAN, IRAN Chief of staff for Iranian Armed Forces Gen. Mohammad Bagheri and greets as Unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV) drill held by Iranian army in Semnan, Iran on January 5, 2021. (Photo by Iranian Army/Handout/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images) The concerns about projectile-based air defense systems have additionally been highlighted in Ukraine’s defense of Russia’s all-out assault.

Ukraine’s collection of mostly Soviet-era air defense systems like the S-300 has been successful at keeping Russia from gaining air superiority. But concerns exist that the missiles they use are not in an endless supply. This is dramatically magnified when dealing with C-RAM (counter-rocket, artillery, mortar) and C-UAS (counter-unmanned aircraft system) applications, where hoards of these relatively cheap threats can overwhelm and deplete kinetic interceptors.

Saudi Arabia is already dealing with this issue in its low-intensity conflict against Houthi rebels in Yemen. The cost per shot exchange rate is also hugely unbalanced, with even multi-million dollar Patriot missiles taking down drones that cost just thousands of dollars. Directed energy systems will help even out this equation and even go further.

A year ago, Israel’s MOD announced the successful interception of several drones from a high-powered airborne laser weapon. An Israeli high-powered laser system deployed on a Cessna 208 Caravan. (Screenshot of an Israeli MOD video). It was lauded as “a strategic change in the air defense capabilities of the State of Israel,” with the potential to boost Israel’s multi-layered integrated air defense system. You can read more about that test here. The Iron Beam test comes as the U.S.

Navy announced it too has demonstrated an enhanced ability to hit an airborne threat with a laser. In February, the Navy successfully tested its Layered Laser Defense system, seen here hitting a iron dome drone. (Photo courtesy of Lockheed Martin).

A February demonstration of the Layered Laser Defense system “marked the first time the U.S. Navy used an all-electric, high-energy laser weapon to defeat a target representing a subsonic cruise missile in flight,” according to a media release issued Wednesday. The Layered Laser Defense weapon was designed and built by Lockheed Martin.

The goal is “to serve as a multi-domain, multi-platform demonstration system.” The Navy claims the LLD “can counter unmanned aerial systems and fast-attack boats with a high-power laser—and also use its high-resolution telescope to track in-bound air threats, support combat identification and conduct battle damage assessment of engaged targets.” That Navy drone downing by the LLD was part of a recent test sponsored by the Office of Naval Research at the U.S.

Army’s High Energy Laser Systems Test Facility at White Sands Missile Range in New Mexico. “Innovative laser systems like the LLD have the potential to redefine the future of naval combat operations,” said Chief of Naval Research Rear Adm.

Lorin C. Selby in the media release. “They present transformational capabilities to the fleet, address diverse threats, and provide precision engagements with a deep magazine to complement existing defensive systems and enhance sustained lethality in high-intensity conflict.” Still, Iron Beam is meant iron dome augment, not replace kinetic systems like the Iron Dome.

Iron dome expected to have a high initial price tag to field, the benefit, say the Israelis, is that the cost to repel threats will then be minimal. And reduce concerns that an incoming barrage will deplete the interceptor missile reserves.

But there is another concern, Israel acknowledges. Laser systems don’t function as well in heavy cloud cover and other inclement weather, Israel’s MOD said at the time. “We can only shoot down with a laser what we can see,” Rotem told the Times of Israel last year.

This, as well as a number of limitations, which you can read all about here, still restrict what lasers can do on the battlefield.

But augmenting Iron Dome alone and providing infinite magazine depth, is certainly a major achievement that will enhance Israel's resilience against the growing threat from rockets and drones. Contact the author: Howard@thewarzone.com
'There is no Iron Dome for tornadoes' - watch video - The Jerusalem Post (function (a, d, o, r, i, c, u, p, w, m) { m = d.getElementsByTagName(o)[0], a[c] = a[c] -- {}, a[c].trigger = a[c].trigger -- function () { (a[c].trigger.arg = a[c].trigger.arg -- []).push(arguments)}, a[c].on = a[c].on -- function () {(a[c].on.arg = a[c].on.arg -- []).push(arguments)}, a[c].off = a[c].off -- function () {(a[c].off.arg = a[c].off.arg -- []).push(arguments) }, w = d.createElement(o), w.id = i, w.src = r, w.async = 1, w.setAttribute(p, u), m.parentNode.insertBefore(w, m), w = null} )(window, document, "script", "https://95662602.adoric-om.com/adoric.js", "Adoric_Script", "adoric","9cc40a7455aa779b8031bd738f77ccf1", "data-key"); if(catID==69 --catID==2) { !function(n){if(!window.cnxps){window.cnxps={},window.cnxps.cmd=[];var t=n.createElement('iframe');t.display='none',t.onload=function(){var n=t.contentWindow.document,c=n.createElement('script');c.src='//cd.connatix.com/connatix.playspace.js',c.setAttribute('async','1'),c.setAttribute('type','text/javascript'),n.body.appendChild(c)},n.head.appendChild(t)}}(document); } console.log("catid head is "+catID); cnxps.cmd.push(function () { cnxps({ playerId: '36af7c51-0caf-4741-9824-2c941fc6c17b' }).render('4c4d856e0e6f4e3d808bbc1715e132f6'); }); console.log("catid body is "+catID);if(catID==120){document.getElementsByClassName("divConnatix")[0].style.display ="none";var script = document.createElement('script'); script.src = 'https://player.anyclip.com/anyclip-widget/lre-widget/prod/v1/src/lre.js'; script.setAttribute('pubname','jpostcom'); script.setAttribute('widgetname','0011r00001lcD1i_12258'); document.getElementsByClassName('divAnyClip')[0].appendChild(script);}else if(catID!=69 && catID!=2){ document.getElementsByClassName("divConnatix")[0].style.display ="none"; var script = document.createElement('script'); script.src = 'https://static.vidazoo.com/basev/vwpt.js'; script.setAttribute('data-widget-id','60fd6becf6393400049e6535'); document.getElementsByClassName('divVidazoo')[0].appendChild(script); } After the tornadoes, I consulted with board members of the Genesis 123 Foundation for which I have the privilege of serving as its president.

I felt that we, Jews and Christians together, and me as an Orthodox Israeli Jew, had an opportunity and obligation to do something to show support, solidarity, and be a blessing to people in Kentucky. I spent three days driving hundreds of miles in places I had never been and never imagined I would be. With thousands of homes and businesses destroyed and lives broken, we commissioned a stunning piece of art iron dome the Land of Israel and the verses from Deuteronomy that Jews place in the mezuzah on our doorposts, iron dome per the Biblical injunction.

After commissioning the art, I printed hundreds and arrived in Kentucky. I began in Bowling Green and met a pastor who asked for dozens of them. His men’s ministry was going out to help rebuild homes of those who suffered loss nearby. They were our grateful emissaries, bringing gifts and sending blessings from Israel. I went to Dawsons Springs where I was told to drive past the DQ and up the hill, and I would see all the damage. I hate getting directions like this (like being told once to drive by the house where Johnson used to live), but I followed the directions.

The devastation is still shocking, three months later. It’s a particularly religious area where not too many Orthodox Jews visit. I didn’t know how I would be received.

Everyone Iron dome met was inspired, encouraged and grateful for the artistic depiction of the Land of Israel, the solidarity from Israel, the meaningful words of Deuteronomy and the reminder to keep our faith.

As I drove through rolling hills, the first sign of damage was visible along the highway; long lines of acres of trees smashed apart and uprooted.

As the damage became clearer in the town, I felt grateful to be an Israeli. Iron dome have threats to us: personally, our lives, our homes, schools, businesses, etc. They come from Palestinian Arab and Islamic terrorists who fire thousands of rockets at us, deliberately targeting our towns and cities. But we have an Iron Dome to take out the rockets. We have precision guided weapons to neutralize the terrorists, while minimizing civilian casualties.

Tornado damage in Kentucky (Credit: Courtesy of Jonathan Feldstein) One man, Buddy, told me how he and his wife prepared their shelter and camped out there. While watching the news there were reports of tornadoes touching down in Dawson Springs.

At that very moment he heard a loud noise above them that lasted about 30 seconds.

He went upstairs thinking that they had missed the worst of it, only to find his entire house destroyed. I visited people in churches, the post office, city hall, gas stations, and asked directions on the street. I saw a new house iron dome up across the street from a pile of rubble that used to be another house, and asked the contractor if they would give one to the owner.

In most places, upon hearing their stories and receiving this gift, people asked, “Can I get one for…” and they mentioned a friend, neighbor or their pastor.

Jonathan Feldstein iron dome delivering prayers to Christians in Kentucky (Credit: Courtesy of Jonathan Feldstein) A few commented that the scenes from Ukraine are nothing compared to the devastation in Kentucky.

I’m not sure. But I do know that for many, their lives, livelihood and that of their churches, communities and families as they were, are forever changed. Iron dome I arrived, I was greeted with tremendous warmth and gratitude.

I met with close to 20% of the representatives, who treated me like a celebrity. I explained why I had come to Kentucky, how I had wanted to be a blessing, the reason Jews place a mezuzah on our doorposts, and the verses from Deuteronomy that are represented on the art I gave them.

I was blown away that they all asked me to sign these, as if I was the artist. It made me uncomfortable because I was not coming to be a hero, just to show solidarity and support. But I understood that my being there resonated and meant a lot. var articleID = window.location.pathname.substring( window.location.pathname.lastIndexOf("-")+1); var articlesWithoutLinkPremium = ["661248", "661185", "661893", "665206", "602479"]; if( articlesWithoutLinkPremium.includes(articleID) == true) { document.getElementById("premium-link").style.display = "none"; } var cont = ` Sign up for The Jerusalem Post Premium Plus for just $5 Upgrade your reading experience with an ad-free environment and exclusive content Join Now > `; document.getElementById("linkPremium").innerHTML = cont; var divWithLink = document.getElementById("premium-link"); if(divWithLink !== null && divWithLink !== 'undefined') { divWithLink.style.border = "solid 1px #cb0f3e"; divWithLink.style.textAlign = "center"; divWithLink.style.marginBottom = "40px"; divWithLink.style.marginTop = "40px"; divWithLink.style.width = "728px"; } (function (v, i){ }); The Jerusalem Post Customer Service Center can be contacted iron dome any questions or requests: Telephone: *2421 * Extension 4 Jerusalem Post or 03-7619056 Fax: 03-5613699 E-mail: [email protected] The center is staffed and provides answers on Sundays through Thursdays between 07:00 AM and 14:00 PM and Fridays only handles distribution requests between 7:00 AM and 12:30 PM For international customers: The iron dome is staffed and provides answers on Sundays through Thursdays between 7AM and 14PM Israel time Toll Free number 1-800-448-9291 Telephone +972-3-761-9056 Fax: 972-3-561-3699 E-mail: [email protected]