By Jim Garamone
American Forces Press Service
ABOARD A U.S. MILITARY AIRCRAFT, March 29, 2014 – Army Gen.
Martin E. Dempsey, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff is traveling to Israel
for meetings with senior Israeli military officials.
Lt. Gen. Benny Gantz, the Israeli Defense Forces chief of
staff, will host the chairman.
“The focus of the chairman’s discussions with his
counterparts will be on issues of mutual strategic interest, while continuing
to build on this important defense relationship,” said Air Force Col. Ed
Thomas, spokesman for the chairman.
This will be Dempsey’s fifth trip to Israel as chairman.
These military-to-military meetings demonstrate America’s unwavering commitment
to Israel’s security and the meetings come amid much change and turmoil in the
region.
Millions of refugees from Syria’s civil war are straining
resources in Jordan and Turkey and there is the threat that the conflict could
spill over Syria’s borders. Insurgents continue attacks in Iraq. Egypt – the
largest Arab nation – is going through its own political transition. Iran is
negotiating over its nuclear program while continuing to support terror groups
including Hezbollah that threaten Israel.
The chairman will also touch on global issues with this
close American ally including the situation in Ukraine and efforts to get
Russia to de-escalate the situation there.
Dempsey last visited Israel in August 2013.
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