With the expected sale of aircraft to the Emirates and the new sanctions on Iran in the background, the Secretary of Defense has left for the United States and will meet with the US Secretary of Defense and senior Pentagon officials
Defense Minister Bnei Gantz
Photo:
Ariel Hermoni - Ministry of Defense
Defense Secretary Benny Gantz will take off tonight (Monday through Tuesday) for a series of security meetings in Washington.
Among other things, Gantz is scheduled to meet with U.S. Secretary of Defense Mark Asper, along with other senior officials at the Pentagon as well.
The Minister of Defense will return to Israel as early as next Thursday morning, according to a statement from the Ministry of Defense.
During his brief stay in the United States, Gantz will be accompanied by the Chief of Staff, the Military Secretary and the Head of the Political-Security Division of the Ministry of Defense.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has been updated on the trip and the topics of its meetings, which are expected to include, among other things, ensuring the preservation of Israel's qualitative advantage, international policy vis-à-vis Iran and preventing its intensification and establishment in the Middle East.
In addition, the issue of security cooperation between Israel and the United States and the issue of defense procurement will also be discussed at the meetings.
The person who will become Gantz's temporary replacement during his stay in Washington is the Minister of Social Affairs in the East Security - Michael Bitton.
Ganz's trip to the United States comes amid Israel's peace agreements with Bahrain and the United Arab Emirates, along with the recent expected sale of planes. The conventional.
Ganz tweeted yesterday: "Even these days, Iran continues to be an international and regional danger. Its leaders continue to develop the nuclear project, and carry out terrorist metastases throughout the Middle East. To stop it and promote stability in our region. "