Today the state of Israel contends with the threat posed by state and non-state actors who possess short and medium range surface-to-surface strike capabilities.  Hezbollah and Hamas persistently launch mortar and rocket strikes from southern Lebanon and Gaza.  Simultaneously, Iran has significantly increased the quantity and quality of its medium range surface-to-surface missile inventory.  These two threat streams have encouraged a fundamental shift in Israel’s defense strategy.  This backgrounder will review how Israel has responded to these two threats with what has become a core component of Israeli defense strategy, the world’s first battle-tested, integrated missile defense shield.