Senator Paul’s position is that any new foreign aid, regardless of need, must be balanced with funding cuts elsewhere in the budget. In this case, he is demanding that the $1 billion needed for Iron Dome be deducted from $6 billion designated for assistance in Afghanistan, holding up replenishment of this critical defensive tool.

This is a misguided position, as these funds replenish entirely defensive munitions fired in order to prevent acts of terrorism and save lives. Israel taking responsibility for its own defense means that America does not need a military presence, as it has in Germany, Saudi Arabia, South Korea and elsewhere around the world.

Earlier this month, the former Israeli Minister for Congressional Affairs – with the rank of Ambassador – at Israel’s Embassy in Washington, Yoram Ettinger, documented the several hundred percent annual return to the United States for its investment in Israel’s defense.