Panetta Counters Israel Critics With Missile-Defense Vow

Defense Secretary Leon Panetta, countering criticism the U.S. is cutting funding for Israel’s missile defenses as the threat from Iran grows, told Jewish leaders the Obama administration has doubled such spending.

President Barack Obama has pledged more than $650 million in funding since 2009 for Israel’s missile defenses, twice the level planned during the administration of President George W. Bush, Panetta told about 14,000 members of the American Israel Public Affairs Committee in Washington today.