Defense Minister Benny Gantz expressed his appreciation to the commander of the United States Central Command, Gen. Kenneth F. McKenzie, Jr., for Israel’s move to CENTCOM.
“This shift will afford Israel the opportunity to deepen cooperation with new regional partners and broaden operative horizons,” Gantz said on Friday, according to the Defense Ministry, in what was the first meeting between the two since the announcement earlier this month that US military overview of Israel would be moved to CENTCOM.
The minister, joined by IDF Chief of Staff Lt.-Gen. Aviv Kochavi, briefed McKenzie on Israel’s current defense policy.
The two further reviewed the defense priorities and challenges shared by the two militaries, including regional threats, chiefly Iran.
The Defense Ministry said Gantz “also thanked McKenzie for the American commitment to Israel’s security and qualitative military edge, and the two reiterated the importance of the close collaboration and coordination between the Israeli and American armed forces, vital to the shared interests of the two countries and to regional and global stability.”