Upcoming U.S.-Israel Military Exercise “Largest,” “Most Significant” in History

Jason Attermann — November 7, 2011 – 3:17 pm | Barack Obama | Foreign Policy | Israel | Military Comments (0) Add a comment

On Friday, Assistant Secretary of State for Political-Military Affairs Andrew Shapiro spoke to the Washington Institute for Near East Policy on the current state of the U.S.-Israel security relationship. During his speech, Shapiro referred to an upcoming joint exercise between both countries’ militaries as the “largest” and “most significant” in the relationship’s history.

According to Haaretz:

Israel and the U.S. will embark on the ‘largest’ and ‘most significant’ joint exercise in the allies’ history, said Andrew Shapiro, U.S. assistant secretary for political-military affairs, on Saturday.

Speaking to the Washington Institute for Near East Policy, Shapiro said the exercise will involve more than 5,000 U.S. and Israeli forces, and will simulate Israel’s ballistic missile defense.

‘Joint exercises allow us to learn from Israel’s experience in urban warfare and counterterrorism,’ said Shapiro.

‘Israeli technology is proving critical to improving our Homeland Security and protecting our troops,’ he added, explaining that Israeli armor plating technology and the specially designed ‘Israeli bandage’, being used on American troops in Afghanistan and Iraq, are proven successes.

Shapiro described President Barack Obama’s commitment to strengthening the bilateral relationship, and the significance of a secure Israel to America’s national security:

Shapiro emphasized the Obama Administration’s support for Israel, despite comments by a senior U.S. official on Friday, who expressed concern that Israel would not warn the U.S. before taking military action against Iran’s nuclear facilities.

‘Our security relationship with Israel is broader, deeper and more intense than ever before,’ said Shapiro, adding that Israel’s military edge was a ‘top priority’ for himself, U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and U.S. President Barack Obama.

The U.S. has a $3 billion per year commitment to Israel, which Shapiro said the Obama Administration would continue to honor over the next ten years, ‘even in challenging budgetary times.’

Speaking of the economic impact of the U.S.-Israeli relationship, Shapiro said it was important to note that U.S. security assistance to Israel helps support American jobs, since the ‘vast majority of security assistance’ is spent on American-made goods and services. ‘We don’t provide assistance out of charity. We provide assistance because it benefits our security,’ he said.

‘We support Israel because it is in our national interests to do so,’ said Shapiro, echoing the recent report by the Washington Institute for Near East Policy, entitled, ‘Israel: A Strategic Asset for the United States’, which argues that Israel is a strategic asset to the U.S. ‘If Israel were weaker, its enemies would be bolder. This would make broader conflict more likely, which would be catastrophic to American interests in the region. It is the very strength of Israel’s military which deters potential aggressors and helps foster peace and stability.’

Click here to read the full article.

Click here to watch Shapiro’s remarks and read important excerpts.

 

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