Washington (CNN) -- The day before Mitt Romney makes a highly publicized trip to Israel, President Barack Obama on Friday signed a bill passed by Congress designed to increase security ties with the Jewish state. Both the timing of Friday's event and the presence of TV cameras opened the White House to accusations of political maneuvering in a presidential election year. Obama's schedule for this week, distributed by the White House on July 20, made no mention of the signing of the United States-Israel Enhanced Security Cooperation Act. The measure won final approval from Congress on July 17, receiving strong bipartisan support.
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The measure enhances security ties between the two allies
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Obama also announces U.S. funding for Israel's Iron Dome missile defense system
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Mitt Romney travels to Israel on Saturday to meet with leaders there
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Democratic sponsors of the bill deny any political mischief in the timing of Friday's event
"This is a program that has been critical in terms of providing security and safety for @placeholder families," Obama said of the Iron Dome system.