U.S. deepens bond with Israel

WASHINGTON – President Barack Obama signed a measure Friday to strengthen U.S. security ties with Israel, the move coming a day before his Republican rival for the White House is scheduled to meet with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

The bipartisan legislation calls for enhanced cooperation on missile defense and intelligence sharing, as well as for increased Israeli access to advanced weapons.

“In many ways, what this legislation does is bring together all the outstanding cooperation that we have seen really at an unprecedented level between our two countries to underscore our unshakable commitment to Israel’s security,” Obama told reporters just before he signed the measure.

The president did not talk about Romney at the ceremony.

Romney has suggested that Obama has undermined the U.S.-Israeli relationship during his term in the White House.