Ex-Israeli defence minister announces challenge to become PM

U.S. lawmakers have given up to $600 million to Israel in annual "discretionary funds" for the regime's missile program, which is much more than the $150 million requested by the White House.

Aid for the missile defense program is separate from the $3.1 billion in annual military aid given to Israel by the US.

The current MOU, signed in 2007 and due to expire in 2018, gave Israel around $30 billion in so-called foreign military financing.

Israel requested $601 million in US funding for missile defense programs that are jointly shared with the United States and help defend both countries. "I am glad so many of my colleagues joined Senator Kirk and me in supporting full funding for these joint programs that benefit not only Israeli security but US national security as well through our co-production and technology development". "This commitment, which would amount to billions of dollars over 10 years, would be the first long-term pledge on missile defense support to Israel, affording Israel robust support for its missile defense, as well as predictability and facilitating long-term planning for missile defense initiatives".

The Obama administration is refusing to fully fund Israel's security and defense, informing Congress in a letter on Tuesday it opposes efforts to provide the Jewish state with almost $500 million for its top missile defense programs.

"In the wake of numerous misleading reports, the Prime Minister's bureau would like to clarify there has been no cut in American assistance".

Ya'alon was pushed out of his job a few weeks ago by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu as part of the agreement to bring in Yisrael Beiteinu to the coalition and to appoint Avigdor Lieberman in his stead. In a "Statement of Administration Policy" released by the White House's Office of Management and Budget, the administration said it "opposes the addition of $455 million above the FY 2017 Budget request for Israeli missile defense procurement and cooperative development programs".

"Should Israel be left without an aerial defense system in the next war, we can set up the commission of inquiry into how Netanyahu makes decisions related to Israel's security".

Netanyahu's government was working to wrap up the talks with the Obama administration, Nagel told reporters.

Another sticking point has been a US demand to reduce the amount of aid money - now 26.3 percent - that Israel can spend on its own military industries rather than on American products.

Moshe Ya'alon announces his intent to run for the leadership of Israel during the Herzliya conference at the Interdisciplinary Center in Herzliya on June 16, 2016.