US Secretary of Defense James Mattis landed in Israel on Thursday afternoon, as the third stop in his five country, week-long tour of the Middle East.
General James Mattis
In the wake of a US missile strike that seriously crippled its air-force,Syria is moving its remaining planes to an airfield adjacent to a Russian airbase. Despite rising tensions with Russia, the US remains committed to preventing further chemical attacks by the Syrian government.
“The position of the US is crucial to eliminating obstacles that undermine stability in the Middle East. We need an active America in our region.”
Israeli Defense Minister Avigdor Lieberman had his first official meeting with his new American counterpart, Secretary of Defense James Mattis.
Retired Marine Gen. James Mattis, who is President-elect Donald Trump’s pick for secretary of defense, said in a nomination hearing that he considers Tel Aviv—not Jerusalem—as Israel’s capital.
Last month, the Zionist Organization of America (ZOA) urged the president-elect against the appointment over controversial statements Mattis has made about Israel.
