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Thursday, May 29, 2008

Democrats will be known for Iraq surrender; Time now for homeland defense

ISRAEL ACCELERATES ROCKET DEFENSE DEVELOPMENT TEL AVIV — Israel has approved accelerated development of its first rocket defense system.

Officials said the Defense Ministry has approved a plan for rapid development of the Iron Dome anti-rocket defense system. They said under the plan the first tests of an Iron Dome prototype would take place in late 2008.

"We see this as feasible given proper funding and other arrangements," an official said.

[On Thursday, Palestinian gunners continued their missile fire in southern Israeli communities. There were no reports of injuries.]

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Iron Dome was designed to intercept the Kassam-class, short-range missile as well as the Katyusha rocket. Officials said Iron Dome could also protect against mortar shells fired from the Gaza Strip.

On May 26, Defense Ministry director-general Pinhas Buchris said Iron Dome would begin a series of tests by July 2008. Buchris said the system, produced by the state-owned Rafael Advanced Defense System, could be operational in 2010.

Officials said Rafael has received permission from authorities to work on the Jewish Sabbath in an effort to hasten development of Iron Dome. The Defense Ministry, as part of a $300 million development project, has pledged to provide a bonus for Rafael if it produces a working prototype ahead of schedule.


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