LINDSAY GRAHAM SAYS ISRAEL TO ASK FOR $1B IN MILITARY AID

Republican Senator Lindsey Graham said on Tuesday that Israel plans to ask for $1-billion in urgent aid following the latest round of fighting with Palestinian militant groups in the Gaza Strip last month, Ben Samuels, Jonathan Lis, and Yaniv Kuvobich reported for Haaretz.

“There's going to be a request tomorrow, I think, or Thursday, by the Israelis to the Pentagon for a billion dollars in aid to replenish the Iron Dome batteries that were used to defend Israel,” Graham told Fox & Friends in an interview from southern Israel.

During the 11-day fighting, according to Israeli figures, more than 3,400 rockets were fired at Israel, and about 1,600 of them were intercepted by the Iron Dome air defense system, mostly in areas bordering the Gaza Strip.

According to Graham, “every time someone tries to destroy Israel, our response is going to be more aid, and it starts with replenishing Iron Dome. A billion-dollar investment would be a good investment for the American people.”

Israel's Defense Minister Benny Gantz is set to depart for Washington on Wednesday for meetings with US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin and National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan. In a statement, Gantz's office said they would discuss the Iran nuclear deal, regional stability and actions to ensure long-term quiet on the Gaza front.

However, many US lawmakers want to scrap military aid to Israel for its apartheid policy and abuses against Palestinians.

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