Gantz thanks CENTCOM chief for Israel’s move to CENTCOM

Gantz told McKenzie that now, as part of CENTCOM, Israel can deepen cooperation with new regional partners and broaden operative horizons even further.

From R to L: Defense Minister Benny Gantz, Commander of the United States Central Command, General Kenneth F. McKenzie, Jr. and IDF Chief of Staff Lt.-Gen. Aviv Kochavi in Tel Aviv, January 29, 2021.  (photo credit: ARIEL HERMONI / MINISTRY OF DEFENSE)
From R to L: Defense Minister Benny Gantz, Commander of the United States Central Command, General Kenneth F. McKenzie, Jr. and IDF Chief of Staff Lt.-Gen. Aviv Kochavi in Tel Aviv, January 29, 2021.
(photo credit: ARIEL HERMONI / MINISTRY OF DEFENSE)
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.
Defense Minister Benny Gantz with Commander of the United States Central Command, General Kenneth F. McKenzie, Jr. in Tel Aviv, January 29, 2021. (Credit: ARIEL HERMONI / MINISTRY OF DEFENSE)
Defense Minister Benny Gantz with Commander of the United States Central Command, General Kenneth F. McKenzie, Jr. in Tel Aviv, January 29, 2021. (Credit: ARIEL HERMONI / MINISTRY OF DEFENSE)
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.”