Ahead of his meeting with US President Joe Biden Thursday, Prime Minister Naftali Bennett met separately Wednesday with US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin and US Secretary of State Antony Blinken on what was his first state visit overseas since taking office.
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Following Bennett's meeting with the defense secretary, the US Defense Department issued a statement saying Austin reaffirmed "the US commitment to the strategic partnership and addressing regional security challenges together."
The statement further noted that Deputy Defense Secretary Kathleen Hicks met with Defense Ministry Director Amir Eshel, and Under Secretary of Defense Colin Kahl "hosted Eshel and a delegation of senior Israeli officials for the annual Defense Policy Advisory Group."
Prime Minister Naftali Bennett met today with @SecDef Lloyd Austin.
PM Bennett and Secretary of Defense Austin discussed a series of regional, diplomatic and security issues, especially the ways to block Iran's regional aggression and the progress of its nuclear program. pic.twitter.com/LrKIcpfzLH
— PM of Israel (@IsraeliPM) August 25, 2021
According to the US Defense Department, "The leaders discussed the wide range of threats posed by Iran's nuclear program, support of terrorism, and maritime aggression. They agreed to cooperate on air and missile defense and countering unmanned aerial systems.
"Secretary Austin affirmed the United States' commitment to Israel's security and qualitative military edge. The Secretary stressed the United States' commitment to broader stability in the Middle East region, including through its military relationships with longstanding partners. Deputy Secretary Hicks and Under Secretary Kahl conveyed US views on strategic competition and highlighted the Administration's support for replenishing Israel's Iron Dome Missile Defense System.
"We are working closely with Congress to provide all the necessary information to respond positively to your request to provide 1 billion dollars in emergency funding. And it's going to save more innocent lives," Austin said.
WATCH: Prime Minister Naftali Bennet's remarks at the start of his meeting today with US Secretary of State Antony Blinken.
Full Remarks >>https://t.co/IiB9gePhYy pic.twitter.com/aSr8PucJYS
— PM of Israel (@IsraeliPM) August 25, 2021
At the start of his meeting with Blinken, Bennett said he planned to speak with Biden and administration officials primarily about "how do we fend off and curtail Iran's ... race to a nuclear weapon."
"I bring from Israel a new spirit, a spirit of folks who sometimes harbor different opinions but can work together in cooperation and goodwill, in a spirit of unity. And we work hard to find common things we do agree upon and move forward on, and it seems to be working," he said.
"Israel has no stronger and more reliable ally than the United States of America," he said, lauding the two countries' bilateral ties.
As for the Abraham Accords, signed between Israel and the United Arab Emirates, Morocco, and Sudan under former US President Donald Trump, Blinken said the US hoped to help nurture those relationships
In a statement, the US State Department said the two "emphasized the importance of the US-Israel partnership and discussed regional security issues, including Iran.
"The secretary and the prime minister underscored our strong bilateral relationship, and the secretary reiterated the US commitment to Israel's security. The Secretary also emphasized that Israelis and Palestinians alike deserve equal measures of freedom, prosperity, and dignity, which is important in its own right and as a means to advance prospects for a two-state solution. Secretary Blinken and Prime Minister Bennett agreed on the importance of working toward Israel's inclusion in the Visa Waiver Program in order to benefit both US citizens and Israeli citizens."
Following his meeting with Blinken, Bennett met with US National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan.
The US and Israel were also expected to discuss the coronavirus pandemic, climate change, and economic matters.
Following their meeting, Blinken tweeted: "Today I met with Israel's Prime Minister Naftali Bennett. We discussed the importance of the U.S.-Israel partnership, including America's commitment to Israel's security. I look forward to continuing our friendship and working with the Prime Minister and his government."
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