I am back from Israel where the combination of watching helplessly the mental and physical deterioration of my beloved mother, listening to the unabashed negative coverage of Bibi Netanyahu’s efforts to construct a broad coalition able to face down the Iranian challenge and pitying the impossible conundrum in which Ilan Shalit’s parents placed Ehud Olmert by insisting that he place their son’s well being above that of the country severly limited my ability to smile.

Then, came the good news, the news that should lift the spirit of every peace loving person for it will vastly improve the ability of Israel and other governments to protect citizens from terrorists rockets and a necessary prelude to any regional peace deal: Israel successfully tests ‘Iron Dome’:

 

The Iron Dome anti-rocket shield passed a critical test in the past 48 hours, the Defense Ministry said on Thursday evening, in a message that will be welcomed by residents of the rocket-battered western Negev.During the test, a number of rockets were launched, “of the same type that were fired in recent years at Israel,” and the Iron Dome system responded “accordingly,” the Defense Ministry said, using terminology indicating a successful interception of the projectiles.

The Iron Dome system is slated to defend southern and northern Israel from Hamas and Hizbullah rockets, and be a key component in a multi-layered missile defense system that includes the Arrow anti-ballistic missile shield.

Iron Dome is being developed by the Defense Ministry’s Administration for the Development of Weapons and the Technological Industry (Maf’at) in conjunction with Rafael Advanced Defense Systems.

Sources in the ministry expressed satisfaction with the test, describing it as a “milestone” and adding that the trial had verified simulations and research work.

Pinchas Buchris, director-general of the Defense Ministry, congratulated Iron Dome engineers on the successful test, and said that accelerated work would enable its installation in the near future.

Defense Minister Ehud Barak said the development of a multi-layered missile defense system was a “national mission aimed at reaching the stage in which a clear majority of missiles do not reach their targets.”

Earlier this month, Danny Gold, head of Research and Development at Maf’at, said work on the Iron Dome had reached its “final stage” and was running “ahead of schedule.”

“This system can be developed in a fifth of the time it would take to develop other systems, and at a tenth of the cost,” Gold said. “It is the cheapest system in the world.”

All I can say to the scientists is the traditional “Chazak Veematz!” (Go forth with strength and courage)

For more visit my History News Network blog Deja vu 

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