Honored Kirk is helping Israel

Iran's saber-rattling has been downright terrifying lately. The terrorist state recently tested a new class of missile that is capable of hitting Israel. A Shahab-3 missile fired from Iran could hit Tel Aviv with less than 11 minutes warning. With such little room for error, Israel must have the best missile defense and warning systems possible. Mark Kirk stepped up to the plate and delivered.

Before President Bush traveled to Israel in May Congressman Kirk led a bi-partisan group of his colleagues and pushed the President to offer enhanced missile defense and detection systems to Israel to defend against Iranian attacks. After much behind-the-scenes negotiation it was announced last month that the Pentagon would be deploying the advanced X-Band radar in Israel. The X-Band is our most advanced radar system currently deployed and is capable of tracking a baseball from 2,900 miles away. Its deployment will improve Israel's missile detection and interception time sixfold.

Israel is a lone island of democracy in a sea of tyranny. It is our moral obligation to defend them and ensure that they are not wiped out by the forces of intolerance and hate. Deploying this radar is a good step in that direction and I am honored that it is my Congressman who is responsible for it.

Zachary Fertig

Deerfield