US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin spoke with Defense Minister Yoav Galant on Tuesday and emphasized the need for broad agreement on legislative changes in Israel. He also called on Gallant to "deal with the violence of the extremist settlers against the Palestinians."
Defense Minister Galant emphasized to the Secretary of Defense that now, alongside the defense of the state, his main mission, together with the heads of the defense establishment, is to unite the ranks and maintain the IDF's competence in the face of the many security challenges. The defense minister added that the State of Israel is a strong democracy, and will remain so in the future.
Defense Minister Galant meets with US Secretary of Defense Austin Photo: Elad Malka
The defense minister raised the importance of completing the sale of the Arrow 3 system from Israel to Germany for the defense establishment. The two discussed the IDF's activity in Jenin. Minister Galant said that as far as the defense establishment is concerned, a functioning Palestinian Authority carrying out the missions in its territory is in Israel's security interest. At the same time, he stressed that wherever the PA does not rule, the IDF will continue to operate at all times.
Defense Minister Galant thanked the Secretary of Defense and the US administration for their extensive support for Israel's security and their commitment to maintaining the qualitative advantage of the defense establishment throughout the Middle East.
"Agreement must be reached." The protest against the background of the passage of the Reduction of the Grounds of Reasonableness Law, photo: uncredited
Last June, the two met in Brussels and discussed advancing security and military coordination between the two countries on the Iranian issue, with the aim of preventing Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons. Minister Galant discussed with his American counterpart ways to expand and deepen security and military cooperation between the countries. The two agreed to increase military exercises by the IDF and the US Central Command (CENTCOM) in the Middle East. Galant thanked Secretary of Defense Austin for his personal commitment to Israel's security, strengthening ties between the two countries' defense establishments, and maintaining Israel's qualitative advantage in the region.
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