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 de-
termined 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. 
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representa-
tives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, 
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE. 
This Act may be cited as the ‘‘United States-Israel 
Maritime Security Partnership Act of 2016’’. 
SEC. 2. FINDINGS. 
Congress finds the following: 
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(1) In 2010, a major natural gas field—named 
the Leviathan gas field—was discovered off the 
coast of Israel. 
(2) It has been estimated that the Leviathan 
gas field and the Tamar gas field, two major natural 
gas fields located approximately 90 miles west of 
Haifa, contain 620 billion cubic meters and 280 bil-
lion cubic meters of natural gas respectively. 
(3) The two gas fields could have major geo-
strategic implications for Israel and facilitate co-
operation between Israel and its neighbors. 
(4) The gas drilling sites represent strategic in-
frastructure that are potential targets for terrorist 
organizations, like Hezbollah and Hamas, seeking to 
cause harm to Israel and its interests. 
(5) The discovery of large gas reserves in the 
exclusive economic zone of Israel necessitates the de-
ployment of new naval capabilities of Israel to pro-
tect these resources. 
(6) Hezbollah reportedly possesses the Russian 
cruise missile, Yakhont, which is capable of striking 
Israel’s coast, putting key Israeli infrastructure and 
economic assets within range. 
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(7) Hezbollah has previously deployed anti-ship 
missiles, including during a 2006 attack on an 
Israeli naval vessel that killed four Israeli sailors. 
(8) During Operation Protective Edge in 2014, 
Hamas claimed responsibility for firing rockets at 
Israeli natural gas installations 19 miles off the 
coast of Gaza. 
(9) United States-Israeli cooperation to combat 
Israel’s varied security threats has proven beneficial 
to both countries. 
(10) The provision of United States assistance 
to Israel to protect the coastline of Israel and nat-
ural gas fields located in the exclusive economic zone 
of Israel will be critical to enabling Israel to develop 
its energy infrastructure and further integrate Israel 
into regional and European economies. 
SEC. 3. AUTHORIZATION OF UNITED STATES ASSISTANCE 
TO ISRAEL TO PROTECT THE COASTLINE OF 
ISRAEL AND NATURAL GAS FIELDS LOCATED 
IN THE EXCLUSIVE ECONOMIC ZONE OF 
ISRAEL. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—The President is authorized to 
provide assistance to Israel to protect the coastline of 
Israel and natural gas fields located in the exclusive eco-
nomic zone of Israel. 
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(b) ACTIVITIES SUPPORTED.—Activities that may be 
supported by assistance under subsection (a) include the 
following: 
(1) Procurement, maintenance, and sustain-
ment of the David’s Sling Weapon System for pur-
poses of intercepting short-range missiles launched 
at the coastline of Israel and natural gas fields de-
scribed in subsection (a). 
(2) Payment of incremental expenses of Israel 
that are incurred by Israel as the direct result of 
participation in a bilateral or multilateral military 
exercise of the United States Navy or Coast Guard, 
including pursuant to section 2010 of title 10, 
United States Code. 
(3) Conduct of increased visits of United States 
naval vessels at ports of Israel. 
(4) Conduct of joint research and development 
for advanced maritime domain awareness capabili-
ties. 
(c) SUNSET.—This section shall terminate on the 
date that is 5 years after the date of the enactment of 
this Act. 
Æ 
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