General Tom Lawson hosts a meeting with the Chief of the General Staff for Israel

News Release

January 5, 2015

OTTAWA – As part of a three country farewell tour, the Chief of the General Staff for the Israeli Defence Forces, Lieutenant-General Benny Gantz, today met with the Chief of the Defence Staff, General Tom Lawson, for high-level discussions on military and security issues.

Lieutenant-General (LGen) Benjamin Gantz, Chief of the General Staff of the Israel Defense Forces (left), visits with General Tom Lawson (right), Chief of the Defence Staff, at National Defence Headquarters, Ottawa, Ontario on January 5, 2015.

Quick Facts

LGen Gantz’s visit builds on the January 2014 Strategic Partnership Memorandum of Understanding signed by Canada and Israel, which committed to further develop the countries bilateral relationship across all levels of government, including defence and security.
In the summer of 2014, the Israeli government established the first resident Defence Attaché in Canada. LGen Gantz’s trip to Canada will mark the first official visit by the Israeli Chief of the General Staff to that office.
Canada and Israel enjoy close military relations at all levels, including cooperation in the areas of counter-terrorism, training, search and rescue, intelligence, command and control and new technologies.
The Department of National Defence and Canadian Armed Forces have deepened our ongoing interactions and continue to share best practices with the Israeli Special Operations through training visits, exchanges and participation in exercises.
Canada’s defence relationship with Israel has brought us considerable operational benefit through the exchange and purchase of Israeli unmanned aerial vehicles and counter-improvised explosive device equipment.

Quotes

“Israel is Canada’s closest ally in the Middle East and our two countries enjoy strong military relations on a variety of fronts. This bond has been strengthened under LGen Gantz’s watch, and reinforced by today’s meeting. It has been a pleasure working with LGen Gantz during his tenure as Chief of the General Staff, and I wish him success in his future endeavours.”
General Tom Lawson
Chief of the Defence Staff

LGen Gantz expressed his deep appreciation to his Canadian colleague for the Canadian involvement in the changes in the Middle East and specifically for the Canadian efforts to combat the Islamic State. Lieutenant-General Gantz thanked General Lawson for the visit and suggested further intensification of military cooperation between Canada and Israel.
Lieutenant-General Benny Gantz
Chief of the General Staff

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General Tom Lawson hosts a meeting with the Chief of the General Staff for Israel

News Release

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