Obama asks Congress to provide aid for Israel rocket defense system

Obama asks Congress to aid Israel defenses

WASHINGTON — The Obama administration is asking Congress for $205 million to help Israel build a new rocket defense system.

Israel’s “Iron Dome” system is meant to intercept rockets from the Gaza Strip and Lebanon.

The White House said Thursday that the request will be formally sent to Congress within days, as an addition to the administration’s budget request for the fiscal year that begins in October.

Israel has had no system in place to guard against thousands of rockets, fired by Hamas militants in Gaza and Hezbollah guerillas in Lebanon. Millions of Israeli civilians are within rocket range.