Mullen Pays Tribute to Ashkenazi

Jason Attermann — February 9, 2011 – 12:13 pm | Foreign Policy | Israel | Military Comments (0) Add a comment

Further emphasizing the robust and intimate security relationship between Obama Administration officials and the Israeli government, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Admiral Mike Mullen will, in an “unprecedented farewell gesture,”  pay tribute to the outgoing IDF Chief of General Staff Lieutenant-General Gabi Ashekanzi at a ceremony at Tel Aviv University.

According to The Jerusalem Post, Mullen’s unique understanding of the strategic significance of the U.S.-Israeli partnership has manifested itself through his nearly 20 meetings over the last four years with his Israeli counterpart. Mullen’s first trip to Israel in 2007 made him the first Joint Chiefs Chairman to visit Israel in over a decade.

During a trip in July 2010, The Jerusalem Post quoted Mullen describing the U.S.-Israeli alliance:

We have met many times, but the meetings here to me are oftentimes the most important because it is recognition of the importance of the relationship, the strength of the relationship and the criticality of the relationship and the constant need to focus on issues that continue to emerge and challenge the both of us.  

The upcoming visit also includes a meeting between Mullen and Ashkenazi’s successor, Major General Benny Gantz. 

Comments

There are no comments for this entry