Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin and Israeli Defense Minister Benny Gantz speak to reporters following a meeting at the Israeli Defense Ministry in Tel Aviv, Israel, April 11, 2021. (Credit: Matty Stern, U.S. Embassy Israel)
By Gary Raynaldo DIPLOMATIC TIMES
Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin reiterated that the U.S. Commitment to Israel remains ‘enduring’ and ‘ironclad’ during talks with Israeli Defense Minister Benny Gantz today in Tel Aviv. The United States’ commitment to Israel’s existence and security began moments after Prime Minister David Ben-Gurion proclaimed the establishment of the state of Israel in 1948. The two covered a wide range of issues, and Austin said he was pleased with the discussions. The U.S. Defense Secretary is traveling to the Middle East and Europe to consult with some of America’s closest allies, with an eye toward “revitalizing” America’s relationships, the Pentagon said.
“I wanted to convey the Biden-Harris administration’s strong commitment to Israel and the Israeli people,” he said following the talks. “As a major strategic partner for the United States, our bilateral relationship with Israel, in particular, is central to regional stability and security in the Middle East. And during our meeting, I reaffirmed to Minister Gantz our commitment to Israel is enduring, and it is ironclad. And I pledge to continue close consultations in order to ensure Israel’s qualitative military edge and to strengthen Israel’s security.”
-U.S. Secretary of Defense Austin said following the talks.
Thank you MoD @gantzbe for today’s important discussions on the regional threat environment and ways to deepen U.S.-Israel defense cooperation. I’m committed to continuing our close consultations on threats posed by Iran and to strengthening Israel’s security. pic.twitter.com/esGxb0c0Tg
— Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III (@SecDef) April 11, 2021
Austin and Gantz agreed the two nations must work closely together to enhance U.S.-Israeli defense cooperation
Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III and Israeli Defense Minister Benny Gantz speak outside the Israeli Defense Ministry in Tel Aviv, Israel, April 11, 2021. (Photo credit: Matty Stern, U.S. Embassy Israel)
It is common knowledge that both the U.S. and Israel currently cooperate on ballistic missile defense and Israel flies the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter. However, Gen. Austin and Defense Minister Gantz expressed it is time to move toward discussing advanced, shared security interests and priorities.
“Middle East Still a Dangerous Neighborhood”
ISRAEL Concerned About “Threat” From IRAN
In his remarks, Gantz specifically pointed to the threat from Iran. The Defense Minister said Israel “regards the United States as a full partner across all operational threats, not the least, Iran.” The fundamentalist leaders in Tehran pose a strategic threat to international security to the entire Middle East and to the state of Israel, the Israeli leader said.
“I … appreciated hearing Minister Gantz’s perspectives about the challenges in this region. We addressed a broad range of defense issues, to include Israel’s long-term planning for defense acquisitions and regional security challenges and U.S. support for efforts to normalize relations between Israel and Arab and Muslim-majority nations.”
– U.S. Secretary of Defense Austin
In Israel, Austin will met with Defense Minister Gantz and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. The secretary is the most senior Biden administration official to visit the country. He is visiting the week Israel marks Holocaust Remembrance Day, followed by Israeli Independence Day.
