Defense Secretary Leon Panetta said on Thursday, November 29 that the relationship between the United States and Israel is “stronger than any time in history,” The Jerusalem Post reported. Awarding Israeli Defense Minister Ehud Barak the highest civilian honor, the Distinguished Public Service Award at the Pentagon, Panetta said the strong relationship between the countries is grounded on shared values and an “ironclad commitment” to Israel’s security. The Defense Secretary praised the success of the Iron Dome anti-rocket system, and pledged “strong” U.S. commitment to the system for the future, reiterating that the U.S. will provide $70 million in fiscal 2012 on top of the $205 million previously appropriated. “The events of the past month underscore something that the Israeli prime minister and I have said, that Iron Dome does not start wars; it helps prevent wars,” Panetta said.