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Eight-three of
the 100 senators signed the letter, led by Republican Lindsey
Graham and Democrat Chris Coons. Senator Ted Cruz, a 2016
presidential candidate, was one of the 51 Republicans on board.
The Senate's Democratic White House hopeful, Bernie Sanders, was
not among the 32 Democrats.
"In light of Israel's dramatically rising defense challenges, we
stand ready to support a substantially enhanced new long-term
agreement to help provide Israel the resources it requires to
defend itself and preserve its qualitative military edge," said
the letter, which was seen by Reuters.
It did not provide a figure for the suggested aid. Israel wants
$4 billion to $4.5 billion in aid in a new agreement to replace
the current memorandum of understanding, or MOU, which expires
in 2018. U.S. officials have given lower target figures of about
$3.7 billion. They hope for a new agreement before Obama leaves
office in January.
The funding is intended to boost Israel's military and allow it
to maintain a technological advantage over its Arab neighbors.
The letter said the Senate also intends to consider increased
U.S. funding for cooperative missile defense programs, similar
to increases in the past several years.
Obama has asked for $150 million for such programs, but
lawmakers are believed to be willing to send Israel hundreds of
millions for programs like its Iron Dome air defense system and
David's Sling medium- and long-range defense system.
(Additional reporting by Matt Spetalnick; Editing by Sandra
Maler)
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