Capitol Hill. Photo: Wikimedia Commons.

The John S. McCain National Defense Authorization Act passed by the Senate on Wednesday contains a number of key pro-Israel provisions — including $500 million for US-Israel missile defense cooperation and up to $50 million for US-Israel counter-tunnel cooperation.

The annual funding legislation — which will soon become law following the Senate’s action — also extends authorization for the US War Reserve Stockpile in Israel by five years and allocates an additional $1 billion in US weapons stockpiles in Israel.

Furthermore, the American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC) said in a statement commending the bill’s approval, it calls for a “joint assessment of the quantity and type of precision-guided munitions necessary for Israel to defend itself against Hezbollah, Hamas and other terrorist groups.”

Additionally, AIPAC noted, “[f]or the first time, this measure authorizes the establishment of a cooperative R&D program with Israel to develop capabilities for countering unmanned aerial systems.”

“In adopting this critical legislation, AIPAC appreciates the leadership of Senate Armed Services Committee Chairman John McCain (R-AZ), Sen. Jim Inhofe (R-OK) and Ranking Member Jack Reed (D-RI), and House Armed Services Committee Chairman Mac Thornberry (R-TX) and Ranking Member Adam Smith (D-WA),” the statement said.