Israeli DM: US aid further proof of Obama's support

Israeli Defense Minister Ehud Barak said Saturday that a recently announced US aid package aimed at bolstering Iron Dome, a short-range missile defense system, was a further proof of the Obama administration's support for Israel. "This new law, which will add 70 million US dollars to the Iron Dome project, is yet another expression of consistent support by the Obama administration, and indeed by the US congress, for the security of the state of Israel," Barak said, quoted by Israeli media. "We acknowledge and appreciate them for this support." US President Barack Obama signed the law that enhanced the US-Israel security cooperation Friday, on the eve of Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney's visit to the Jewish country. In a brief Oval Office ceremony, Obama also announced another funding boost for the Iron Dome, which was first announced by US Defense Secretary Leon Panetta in May. The U.S. legislation signed by Obama codified loan guarantees for Israel, provides additional support for Israel's maintaining its military edge, pushes for closer cooperation between Israel and NATO, and also puts into law several long-standing US policies.