Republican presidential candidate Ted Cruz hailed the success of Israel’s Iron Dome defense system in intercepting rockets fired by Hamas from Gaza as he unveiled his plan to rebuild the U.S. military on Tuesday. This statement came despite Cruz voting against the annual National Defense Authorization Act, a comprehensive defense budget authority bill that helps fund missile-defense programs like the Iron Dome.

Speaking aboard the USS Yorktown in South Carolina, Cruz pledged to invest in the U.S. military to ensure that it has the resources it needs to protect our homeland and maintain its status as a beacon of freedom and opportunity across the world. “America needs a strong military to protect our great nation and the freedoms we hold dear,” said Cruz. “Rebuilding the American military will be one of the most serious tasks facing the next Commander in Chief. We will invest in our military with a simple goal: more tooth, less tail.”

A rebuilt military and a strong defense, according to Cruz, will restore America’s strength so “it will be feared by our enemies and trusted by our allies.” The Texas Senator highlighted the success of the Iron Dome, funded in large part by the U.S. Congress, as he also called for greater collaboration with the Jordanian, Egyptian and Israeli militaries, and to partner with them on the war against terror.

As Cruz was delivering his remarks, the Rubio campaign distributed a memo that accused Cruz of lying on national security matters. As Rubio did in the past, his campaign pointed out that in 2013, Cruz signed on to Senator Rand Paul’s budget resolution proposal that, among other cuts, slashed defense funding and international aid, “including aid to Israel.”

“Senator Cruz will say or do anything to win an election including lying to cover-up his own weak record on national security. Senator Cruz is the only candidate in this race who has consistently sided against our military and intelligence professionals and whose foreign policy vision changes with his poll numbers,” Joe Pounder, Rubio’s spokesman said in a statement.