The US Department of Defense has announced that Lloyd Austin will arrive in Israel on Sunday and meet with Prime Minister Netanyahu and Defense Minister Ganz • This is the first visit by a senior member of the Biden administration to Israel, which is taking place in the shadow of growing naval tensions with Iran
US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin // Photo: AFP
The U.S. Department of Defense confirmed this morning (Friday) that U.S. Secretary of Defense General Lloyd Austin will pay an official visit to Israel this coming Sunday, as part of a series of visits to Western and Central Europe.
According to the Pentagon statement, the minister is expected to meet with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defense Minister Bnei Gantz to discuss "a priority for Israel and the United States and the United States' continued commitment to continuing Israel's quality military advantage in the region."
This is the first visit by a senior member of the Biden administration to Israel since the new president was sworn in in January and he comes amid growing naval tensions in the region, after a Revolutionary Guards ship was attacked in the Red Sea earlier this week.
As part of his trip, Austin is also expected to visit Britain and Belgium, where he will meet with NATO allies, including General Jans Stoltenberg, the commander of the alliance.
Austin is also expected to visit the commander of American forces in Europe and Germany.
Lloyd Austin is the first black defense minister in American history and a respected military commander.
He commanded American forces in Iraq during the tenure of President Barack Obama.
In addition, in 2012 he served as the First Black Deputy Chief of Staff of the US Army.