OTTAWA – The Chief of the Defence Staff, General Tom Lawson, completed a four‑day trip to Israel last week where he met with the Israeli Minister of Defense, Mr. Moshe Ya’alon, and the Israeli Chief of the General Staff, Lieutenant-General Binyamin Gantz. The purpose of this visit to the region was to build on Canada’s existing defence relationship with Israel, and to meet with Canadian Armed Forces members currently serving on various peacekeeping and observer missions in the region.
“Our defence relationship with Israel has been growing steadily, and this visit is an indication that we are developing even closer cooperation and greater mutual understanding,” stated General Lawson. “This trip has been very productive in that it has allowed me to gain a better sense of regional dynamics, and how our militaries can work together even more effectively on projects and issues of shared concern.”
During General Lawson’s visit to Israel he placed a wreath at the Yad Vashem Holocaust Memorial, and visited a number of Israeli military sites where discussions were held about various defence‑related matters. While in Jerusalem, General Lawson also presented Operational Service Medals along with Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medals to Canadian Armed Forces members serving on several operations in the region (including Operations Proteus, Jade and Calumet).
Canada and Israel have strong bilateral relations marked by close political, economic, social and cultural ties. The relationship has been further strengthened in recent years through increased cooperation in several areas including public security, defence, trade, investment and the increased frequency of senior official, military affairs and ministerial visits. Canada and Israel marked 60 years of diplomatic relations in 2009.
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