Mobile UPI  |   About UPI  |   UPI en Español  |   UPI Arabic  |   UPIU  |   My Account
Search:
Go

Israel needs Patriot missiles -- advocate

|
|
 
  
Published: Oct. 2, 2009 at 3:03 PM
Advertisement

WASHINGTON, Oct. 2 (UPI) -- Israel lacks the missile defense protection needed to deter a ballistic strike from Iran, making it a candidate for U.S. defense assistance, an advocate says.

Iran during its Sacred Defense Week test fired long-range missiles capable of reaching several targets in Europe and the Middle East, including Israel. The tests coincide with the revelation of a previously undisclosed nuclear site in the holy city of Qom.

Riki Ellison, chairman and founder of the Missile Defense Advocacy Alliance, argues Israel lacks the missile defense needed to deter the Iranian ballistic threat.

He claims it is "paramount" that the United States provides Israel with missile defense systems like the Patriot and Aegis systems as part of a new defense architecture envisioned for Europe.

Ellison notes that threat assessments in Iran from the U.S. intelligence community have not changed, adding Iran is determined to develop strike capabilities by 2015.

He cautions that if Israel is not able to protect itself with an adequate defense program, it may be provoked to launch a pre-emptive strike on Iran.

Ellison concludes this is a "gamble" to national security interests in the region that Washington cannot risk.

Topics: Riki Ellison
© 2009 United Press International, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Any reproduction, republication, redistribution and/or modification of any UPI content is expressly prohibited without UPI's prior written consent.

Order reprints
  
Join the conversation
Most Popular Collections
The 1st Airborne Brigade drills in Japan Veteran's parade in St. Louis Oscar nominations 2012
Additional Security Industry Stories
1 of 15
Rose McGowan at The Heart Truth's Red Dress Fall 2012 Collections at Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week In New York
View Caption
fark
Problem: You have a city full of people who have no ability whatsoever to parallel park. Solution:...
38KKK air bags keep woman safe in car crash
NJ DOT committee presents recommendations on ways to reduce train-related deaths. #1: Stop getting...
Another amenity your car is missing: A wood burning stove. Talk to this guy about getting that set...
If you think doing your taxes by yourself is confusing, try getting them done at a tax business...
Photoshop this night on the town