Dempsey: Israel, IDF have no greater friend on Earth than the US military

“Eisenkot tells visiting US military chief: Your personal commitment to our security has inspired us.”

JERUSALEM POST

Israel and the IDF have no greater friend on the face of the Earth than the United States military,” US Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. Gen. Martin Dempsey, told his counterpart in Israel on Tuesday.

Dempsey made the warm remarks after receiving a badge of appreciation from IDF Chief of Staff Lt.-Gen. Gadi Eisenkot at a ceremony held at IDF headquarters, at the Kirya in Tel Aviv.

The ceremony followed a guard of honor held by the IDF for Dempsey.

“I am greatly honored to host your visit to Israel. Your loyalty, friendship, and personal commitment to our security has inspired us,” Eisenkot told Dempsey.

“Under your leadership, the cooperation between our militaries has become more powerful,” Eisenkot added.

Dempsey responded by saying, “I’m so honored to accept this award. And I accept it on behalf of all of the men and women who had the privilege of serving side by side with the men and women of the IDF.”

The words reflected years of very close cooperation between the two armed forces, which has continued irrespective of the turbulent diplomatic relationship between the Netanyahu government in Jerusalem and the Obama Administration in Washington.

Dempsey, arrived in Israel on Monday on an official visit, and is holding a series of meetings with Eisenkot, Defense Minister Moshe Ya’alon, and other Israeli security chiefs, to discuss bilateral military cooperation, and pressing security challenges.

This is Dempsey’s fifth visit to Israel since his appointment as US military chief.

The US military chief was last in Israel in March 2014, when he met Netanyahu, Ya’alon, and the former IDF Chief of Staff Lt.-Gen. (res.) Benny Gantz for a series of closed-door meetings.