April 11 Joint Press Statement by Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III and Israeli Minister of Defense Benny Gantz

 April 11, 2021

Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III; Israeli Minister of Defense Benny Gantz

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STAFF: Good afternoon, everybody. My name is Betty Ilovici. And it is my great honor to welcome United States Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin to the State of Israel and to the Ministry of Defense in particular.

We wish you a meaningful and fruitful visit. To our members of the press I will note that the minister has recently finished a series of bilateral briefings and will now be delivering the remarks.

Starting with Israel's Minister of Defense Benny Gantz. Minister Gantz, the floor is yours.

ISRAELI MINISTER OF DEFENSE BENNY GANTZ: Thank you. Secretary Austin, it is an honor to welcome you here. We thank you for making Israel your first visit to our region, reflecting the enduring relationship between the United States and the State of Israel. 

Jonathan Shrier, thank you for enabling it. Mr. Secretary, you and I go back, so I can say first hand that we are very fortunate to be welcoming an outstanding professional and true patriot here.

Our Ministry of Defense and your Department of Defense share the same vision for global security, stability and prosperity. Our partnership is built not only on strategic interest, but on shared values, history and personal relationship. Like your late father, who served his nation as a soldier in this same Allied forces that freed my late mother from the hold of the vile Nazis, today we remain committed to fighting for freedom, democracy, and for the protection of innocent people. Now we both, Israel's defense forces and American armed forces, the same values in basic human decency compel our moral standard in actions.

To our enemies, trying to use our own morality against us and to the cynical attempt to abuse the ICC, I say that they will not succeed in preventing us from fulfilling our duty. We will never neglect our moral obligation to defend human lives and to remain humane as we do so.

Please convey my appreciation and gratitude to President Biden and the entire administration for supporting Israel and opposing the recent decision taken by the ICC. 

In our meeting earlier, Secretary Austin and I agreed to continue in the close consultation on the urgent regional security challenges. I also expressed our commitment to continuing working closely with the United States with true bipartisan support on Israel's long terms planning for defense acquisition to maintain Israel's QME, essential not only for the guarantee for Israel's security, but as a guarantor of the Middle East stability.

During our conversation, I emphasized to Secretary Austin that Israel views the United States as the full partner across all operational threats, not the least, Iran. 

The Tehran of today possess a strategic threat to international security to the entire Middle East and to the state of Israel. And will work closely with our American allies to ensure that any new agreement with Iran will secure the vital interest of the world, of the United States, prevent dangers, unrest in our region and protect the state of Israel.

I further told the Secretary that we are continuing to work closely with the Palestinians authority to help bring stability and prosperity to our close neighbors, Israel.

Lastly, let me say that after a year, of which shook the world to its core, I find great comfort in the assurance of our people's unbreakable bonds and in the knowledge that both in the United States and in Israel, forces of good act to promote unity, solidarity and diversity. Values that I protect in my country and that you, throughout your outstanding career of inspiring public service, exemplify in yours.

I am certain that under President Biden's leadership, our bonds will continue to grow and achieve new heights. Thank you very much and welcome to Israel.

STAFF: Please, Secretary Austin.

SECRETARY OF DEFENSE LLOYD J. AUSTIN III: Well, good afternoon everyone and thank you for being here. First and foremost, I'd like to thank Minister Gantz for the warm welcome. And my deepest thanks to the people of Israel for their gracious hospitality.

You know we all took the time last week to remember the Holocaust. And Minister Gantz, you as a son of Holocaust survivors know better than most the horror and heartache your family endured. 

We remember the 6 million Jews and the millions of others who perished during the Holocaust. May their memory be a blessing and let it be solemn reminder of our duty to be ever vigilant against mass atrocities. 

It is indeed a privilege to be here in Tel Aviv on my very first visit to Israel as a Secretary of Defense. And I'm grateful for the opportunity to meet with the Minister, despite the challenges from COVID-19.

It is especially meaningful to join him here ahead of Remembrance Day, which is a most solemn day, honoring those who have fallen in the service to their country is a tradition shared by both Israel and the United States as we recognize the sacrifices our brave service members in uniform make to protect our people and preserve our way of life.

Today, I was tremendously pleased with our discussion on a number of security issues, which are important to our two countries. And I wanted to convey the Biden-Harris administration's strong commitment to Israel and the Israeli people. 

As a major strategic partner for the United States, our bilateral relationship with Israel in particular is central to regional stability and security in the Middle East. And during our meeting, I reaffirmed to Minister Gantz, our commitment to Israel is enduring and it is iron clad.

And I pledge to continue close consultations in order to insure Israel's Qualitative Military Edge and to strengthen Israel’s security. We both agree that we must work closely together to enhance U.S./Israel Defense cooperation and to advance shared security interest and priorities. 

And I appreciate -- appreciated hearing Minister Gantz's perspectives about the challenges in this region. We addressed a broad range of defense issues, to include Israel's long term planning for defense acquisitions; and regional security challenges; and U.S. support for efforts to normalize relations between Israel and Arab and Muslim majority nations.

Today's discussions were quite productive and I want to once again thank Minister Gantz for his gracious hospitality. And I look forward to reciprocating this hospitality when you're able to visit the Pentagon and I hope that's one day soon.

MIN. GANTZ: Hopefully.

SECRETARY AUSTIN: Mr. Minister, our dialogue today gives me great confidence in our already strong and enduring security partnership. This is a relationship built on trust, which has developed over decades of cooperation and I look forward to building upon that trust in the years ahead. 

Thank you very much.

MIN. GANTZ: Thank you.

STAFF: Thank you, everyone.

MIN. GANTZ: (Inaudible).

STAFF: No, no questions.

MIN. GANTZ: Thank you.

Austin Says U.S. Commitment to Israel Remains 'Ironclad'

 April 11, 2021 | BY Jim Garamone , DOD News

The United States' commitment to Israel's existence and security began moments after Prime Minister David Ben-Gurion proclaimed the establishment of the state of Israel in 1948. 

Then-President Harry S. Truman recognized the nation immediately, and the United States has become a strong strategic partner through U.S. administrations of different parties and through many conflicts.

Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III reiterated American support and commitment during his talks with Israeli Defense Minister Benny Gantz today in Tel Aviv. 

The two men covered a wide range of issues, and Austin said he was pleased with the discussions. "I wanted to convey the Biden-Harris administration's strong commitment to Israel and the Israeli people," he said following the talks. "As a major strategic partner for the United States, our bilateral relationship with Israel, in particular, is central to regional stability and security in the Middle East. And during our meeting, I reaffirmed to Minister Gantz our commitment to Israel is enduring, and it is ironclad. And I pledge to continue close consultations in order to ensure Israel's qualitative military edge and to strengthen Israel's security."

Austin noted that the United States marked Holocaust Remembrance last week. "Minister Gantz, you, as a son of a Holocaust survivor, know better than most the horror and heartache your family endured," Austin said. "We remember the 6 million Jews and the millions of others who perished during the Holocaust; may their memory be a blessing, and let it be a solemn reminder of our duty to be ever vigilant against mass atrocities."

It is also sobering that Austin's visit coincides with Israel's Remembrance Day, which is similar to America's Memorial Day. 

Austin and Gantz agreed the two nations must work closely together to enhance U.S.-Israeli defense cooperation. For example, the two countries already cooperate on ballistic missile defense and Israel flies the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter. The two men want to move toward discussing advanced, shared security interests and priorities. 

But the Middle East is still a dangerous neighborhood. "I … appreciated hearing Minister Gantz's perspectives about the challenges in this region," Austin said. "We addressed a broad range of defense issues, to include Israel's long-term planning for defense acquisitions and regional security challenges and U.S. support for efforts to normalize relations between Israel and Arab and Muslim-majority nations.”

In his remarks, Gantz specifically pointed to the threat from Iran. He said Israel "regards the United States as a full partner across all operational threats, not the least, Iran." The fundamentalist leaders in Tehran pose a strategic threat to international security to the entire Middle East and to the state of Israel, the Israeli leader said.

"We will work closely with our American allies to ensure that any new agreement with Iran will secure the vital interests of the world, of the United States; prevent dangerous unrest in our region; and protect the state of Israel," he said.

Gantz said the ties between the U.S. and Israeli militaries are so close because the nations share the same values and beliefs in basic human decency. "I find great comfort in the assurance of our people's unbreakable bonds and in the knowledge that both in the United States and in Israel, forces of good act to promote unity, solidarity and diversity," Gantz said.

Related News: Austin Travels to Middle East, Europe to Strengthen Ties With Allies

 April 11, 2021 | BY Jim Garamone , DOD News

Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III is traveling to the Middle East and Europe to consult with some of America's closest allies, with an eye toward "revitalizing" America's relationships.

The secretary begins his trip in Israel, moves on to Germany, and then goes to Brussels for meetings with NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg. He'll wrap up his travels in the United Kingdom.

In Israel, Austin will meet with Defense Minister Benny Gantz and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. The secretary is the most senior Biden administration official to visit the country. He is visiting the week Israel marks Holocaust Remembrance Day, followed by Israeli Independence Day.

The United States was the first nation to recognize Israel's independence in 1948, and the American commitment to Israel has never wavered. Austin will reiterate the administration's ironclad commitment to the strategic relationship with Israel and to ensuring Israel's qualitative military edge, said a senior defense official. 

Maintaining Israel's qualitative military edge is a long-standing commitment that has crossed multiple administrations. "It is both a testament to the importance of the relationship and also a testament to just how seriously we think about regional security affairs," the official said.

Maintaining the edge is more than just equipment and training. "We consult with them and work with them on [qualitative military edge]," another official said. "It is an iterative, consistent and persistent process."

In every conversation from the secretary of defense all the way down to desk officers with Israeli counterparts, maintaining the edge is a consideration. "It is a consideration on any other military sales that we contemplate with any other partner in the region," the official said. "That's no secret. And, of course, we're also thinking about our own national security interest as we're looking at any and all of these."

Austin and Israeli officials will spend a lot of time talking about regional security, including Syrian, Lebanese, Jordanian and Palestinian security. "Iran will obviously be on the agenda; Jordan I expect to be, as well, Palestinian security, in addition," the official said. "But above all, the key will be this is a close relationship. It is one characterized by collaboration, and that's what, what he'll really be talking through."

Iran is a malign influence throughout the Middle East, and Israel is very worried about the nation developing nuclear weapons and the means to deliver them. "Over the years, you have seen this topic be one in which, frankly, we have mutual interest with the Israelis," the official said. "The president has been very clear: Iran will not get a nuclear weapon. We will not allow Iran's bad regional behavior to go unnoticed and unchecked, and those sorts of discussions are critical."

After Israel, Austin will travel to Berlin where he will meet with defense and national security officials. He will also visit U.S. troops in Stuttgart, Germany. Austin "will applaud the Germans for all of the progress that they've made on defense spending and encourage them to continue down that path," the official said.

After Germany, the secretary will go to Brussels where he will meet with NATO officials, including Stoltenberg. Austin's first call upon arriving at the Pentagon in January was to the NATO leader. Officials traveling with Austin emphasized the "criticality" of the alliance, saying it is at the heart of America's greatest asymmetric advantage: the network of allies and partners around the world.

Spotlight: NATO

Austin wants to ensure that the 30-nation alliance is ready for the challenges of today and tomorrow.

Finally, the secretary will visit London to meet with counterparts there. Austin will applaud the integrated review that the British just put out and look to maintain and strengthen the special relationship. 

But the United States is a global power, and Austin still has to maintain contacts around the world. Seven hours into his flight to Israel, Austin spoke with Philippine Minister of National Defense Delfin Lorenzana. The two discussed China's massing of militia vessels at Whitsun Reef. Pentagon Press Secretary John F. Kirby said that Austin reiterated the U.S. commitment to a free and open Indo-Pacific region. "The secretary proposed several measures to deepen defense cooperation between the United States and the Philippines, including by enhancing situational awareness of threats in the South China Sea," he said.

Related News Release: Readout of Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III Phone Call With Philippines Secretary of National Defense Delfin Lorenzana