I 

114TH CONGRESS 

2D SESSION H. R. 5066 

To authorize the President to provide assistance to Israel to protect the 

coastline of Israel and natural gas fields located in the exclusive economic 

zone of Israel, and for other purposes. 

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 

APRIL 26, 2016 

Mr. HIGGINS (for himself and Mr. LOUDERMILK) introduced the following bill; 

which was referred to the Committee on Foreign Affairs, and in addition 

to the Committee on Armed Services, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions 

as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned 

A BILL 

To authorize the President to provide assistance to Israel 

to protect the coastline of Israel and natural gas fields 

located in the exclusive economic zone of Israel, and 

for other purposes. 

1 Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representa2 tives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, 

3 SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE. 

4 This Act may be cited as the ‘‘United States-Israel 

5 Maritime Security Partnership Act of 2016’’. 

6 SEC. 2. FINDINGS. 

7 Congress finds the following: 


smartinez on DSK3GLQ082PROD with BILLS
2 

•HR 5066 IH

1 (1) In 2010, a major natural gas field—named 

2 the Leviathan gas field—was discovered off the 

3 coast of Israel. 

4 (2) It has been estimated that the Leviathan 

5 gas field and the Tamar gas field, two major natural 

6 gas fields located approximately 90 miles west of 

7 Haifa, contain 620 billion cubic meters and 280 bil8 lion cubic meters of natural gas respectively. 

9 (3) The two gas fields could have major geo10 strategic implications for Israel and facilitate co11 operation between Israel and its neighbors. 

12 (4) The gas drilling sites represent strategic in13 frastructure that are potential targets for terrorist 

14 organizations, like Hezbollah and Hamas, seeking to 

15 cause harm to Israel and its interests. 

16 (5) The discovery of large gas reserves in the 

17 exclusive economic zone of Israel necessitates the de18 ployment of new naval capabilities of Israel to pro19 tect these resources. 

20 (6) Hezbollah reportedly possesses the Russian 

21 cruise missile, Yakhont, which is capable of striking 

22 Israel’s coast, putting key Israeli infrastructure and 

23 economic assets within range. 


smartinez on DSK3GLQ082PROD with BILLS
3 

•HR 5066 IH

1 (7) Hezbollah has previously deployed anti-ship 

2 missiles, including during a 2006 attack on an 

3 Israeli naval vessel that killed four Israeli sailors. 

4 (8) During Operation Protective Edge in 2014, 

5 Hamas claimed responsibility for firing rockets at 

6 Israeli natural gas installations 19 miles off the 

7 coast of Gaza. 

8 (9) United States-Israeli cooperation to combat 

9 Israel’s varied security threats has proven beneficial 

10 to both countries. 

11 (10) The provision of United States assistance 

12 to Israel to protect the coastline of Israel and nat13 ural gas fields located in the exclusive economic zone 

14 of Israel will be critical to enabling Israel to develop 

15 its energy infrastructure and further integrate Israel 

16 into regional and European economies. 

17 SEC. 3. AUTHORIZATION OF UNITED STATES ASSISTANCE 

18 TO ISRAEL TO PROTECT THE COASTLINE OF 

19 ISRAEL AND NATURAL GAS FIELDS LOCATED 

20 IN THE EXCLUSIVE ECONOMIC ZONE OF 

21 ISRAEL. 

22 (a) IN GENERAL.—The President is authorized to 

23 provide assistance to Israel to protect the coastline of 

24 Israel and natural gas fields located in the exclusive eco25 nomic zone of Israel. 


smartinez on DSK3GLQ082PROD with BILLS
4 

•HR 5066 IH

1 (b) ACTIVITIES SUPPORTED.—Activities that may be 

2 supported by assistance under subsection (a) include the 

3 following: 

4 (1) Procurement, maintenance, and sustain5 ment of the David’s Sling Weapon System for pur6 poses of intercepting short-range missiles launched 

7 at the coastline of Israel and natural gas fields de8 scribed in subsection (a). 

9 (2) Payment of incremental expenses of Israel 

10 that are incurred by Israel as the direct result of 

11 participation in a bilateral or multilateral military 

12 exercise of the United States Navy or Coast Guard, 

13 including pursuant to section 2010 of title 10, 

14 United States Code. 

15 (3) Conduct of increased visits of United States 

16 naval vessels at ports of Israel. 

17 (4) Conduct of joint research and development 

18 for advanced maritime domain awareness capabili19 ties. 

20 (c) SUNSET.—This section shall terminate on the 

21 date that is 5 years after the date of the enactment of 

22 this Act. 

Æ 


smartinez on DSK3GLQ082PROD with BILLS