BICOM

Israel’s Defence Minister Moshe Ya’alon arrived in Washington yesterday for an official visit, which is thought likely to focus on a new defence package to ensure that Israel maintains its qualitative military edge in the region.

The memorandum of understanding between the United States and Israel, which details a defence package worth more than £2 billion is due to expire in 2017 and Ya’alon will discuss a new ten-year deal. Speaking at Israel’s Embassy in Washington at an event to mark the 20th anniversary of the assassination of former-Prime Minister Yitzchak Rabin, Ya’alon said “Today, 20 years later [after the assassination], the United States is Israel’s greatest friend. Its contribution to our security is tremendous and is truly our strategic cornerstone.” He emphasised that, “The relationship between the United States and Israel is based on shared values and interests.”

Ya’alon said that he will be meeting with his American counterpart, US Secretary of Defence Ash Carter, describing him as a “good friend … who has time and again proven his commitment to the security of the State of Israel.” Ya’alon explained that, “We will discuss how to further increase the IDF’s capacity and capabilities to maintain our qualitative edge given increased and growing regional threats on the security of our country.”

Ya’alon and Carter appeared side by side at the National Defense University before senior US and international defence officials. Ya’alon said that, “Israel is aspiring for peace. As one who has experienced wars, I am anxious to have peace. I can tell you personally that I supported Oslo [peace accords in the 1990s].” But, said Ya’alon the Palestinian leadership including Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas is “not ready to recognise our right to exist as the nation state of the Jewish people.” Meanwhile, Carter described Israel as “a cornerstone of our strategy in the Middle East” and Ya’alon himself as “one of the finest defence officials in the world,” a “friend and a strategic thinker.”