Power and Ya’alon meet, discuss Israeli security

Power meets Ya’alon to discuss security cooperation along with the security challenges facing Israel.

“Ambassador Power underscored the unprecedented level of intelligence and security cooperation between the two countries,” a statement from the State Department says.

Defense Minister Moshe Yaalon met with US Ambassador at the UN, Samantha Power, during her visit to Israel, at the Defense Ministry in Tel Aviv, on February 16, 2016. (Diana Hananshvili/MOD)

“Ambassador Power and Defense Minister Ya’alon discussed the situation in the West Bank, in Gaza, and regarding efforts to address shared security threats in the region, such as those posed by Hamas, Hezbollah, and ISIL. They agreed that the destabilizing effects of the civil war in Syria, including the millions of refugees displaced by the conflict, underscored the urgent need to find a political solution to the crisis. In addition, Ambassador Power and Defense Minister Ya’alon discussed ways Israel could play a role in UN peacekeeping efforts.”

Also Tuesday, Power, Israel’s ambassador to the UN Danny Danon and US ambassador to Israel Dan Shapiro were given a helicopter tour of Israel, while being briefed on threats to Israel’s security.

US ambassador to Israel Dan Shapiro (L), US ambassador to the UN Samantha Power (C) and Israeli ambassador to the UN Danny Danon on February 16, 2016 (Avi Dudi)