Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Israeli Ambassador to the United States David Friedman toured the deployment area on Wednesday for the U.S. THAAD missile-defense system stationed in Israel.
The two were briefed on the exercise deployment of the anti-missile system as part of the joint operational initiative.
“I think this is a testament to the strength of the alliance between Israel and the United States,” said Netanyahu. “The coalition for a common defense that is expressed not merely in intentions but in actual forces on the ground, I think is remarkable.”
The deployment was ordered by U.S. Acting Defense Secretary Patrick Shanahan, according to U.S. European Command (EUCOM), which said it exemplified America’s “continued commitment” to Israeli security.
“This deployment incorporates key capabilities, systems and people stationed in the continental United States and Europe, and with our partners in the Israel Defense Force,” said EUCOM in a statement released by the U.S. embassy in Israel.
According to EUCOM, “THAAD is the most advanced integrated air- and missile-defense system in the world, and this deployment readiness exercise demonstrates that U.S. forces are agile and can respond quickly and unpredictably to any threat, anywhere, at any time.”
“I can’t think of a better example of the incredibly close and important cooperation between Israel and the United States,” said Friedman. “This is an outstanding example of how the American armed forces have made a commitment to Israel’s safety and security. They’ve done this in many other ways, but I can’t think of a better single example than we’re looking at right now.”
“It’s a testament to the really unbreakable bond between Israel and the United States on so many different levels, including mutual security,” he added.
