Lloyd Austin, the first senior member of the Biden administration to visit the country, will meet with Prime Minister Netanyahu and Defense Minister Ganz • The nuclear deal with Iran is expected to be the focus of talks
U.S. Secretary of Defense Austin and Secretary of Defense Gantz, in Kirya, today
Photo:
Gideon Markovich
US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin landed in Israel this morning (Sunday), becoming the first senior member of President Joe Biden's administration to land in the country since entering the White House.
At the beginning of his visit to Israel, Austin arrived at the Kirya, where an honor guard was performed in his honor.
Defense Secretary Bnei Gantz will host the secretary, who will visit the country as part of a delegation that also includes Acting Deputy Secretary of Defense Dr. Mara Carlin, senior military assistant to Secretary of Defense Brian Fenton, Chief of Staff Secretary of Defense Kelly Magsman and Assistant Secretary of Public Relations C. Van Kirby.
Austin is expected to hold a round of discussions with senior officials in Israel, and among other things, he is expected to talk with them about the continuation of procurement and equipment between the countries, maintaining Israel's qualitative advantage, the nuclear agreement with Iran, deepening intelligence cooperation in the region and strengthening US-sponsored regional cooperation.
In addition to the meeting that Austin is expected to hold with Ganz during the visit, he will also hold meetings with the Director General of the Ministry of Defense, Amir Eshel, Chief of Staff Aviv Kochavi, the head of the General Staff, Tal Kalman, and the head of the Defense Ministry, Zohar Felti. Below are statements to the media.
The secretary and Gantz will visit Nevatim base tomorrow, where he will receive a briefing from Air Force Commander Maj. Gen. Amikam Nurkin.
He will also receive an overview of a series of security developments that Israel's industries are developing in collaboration with the US administration.
Later, the two will tour Yad Vashem, where they will lay a wreath at the Memorial Hall on Mount Herzl ahead of this week's Memorial Day for the Israeli system.
Afterwards, Austin will meet with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
At the end of the meeting, the Secretary will end his visit to Israel.
Austin's two-day visit to Israel will be part of his second trip outside the United States since taking office. This will be Gantz's second visit to Israel during his tenure at the Defense Department, when Mark Asper, who arrived in Israel last year. Expected to visit Germany, Belgium and the UK as well.
Lloyd Austin is the first black defense secretary 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.