MAR 29, 2024 JLM 76°F 01:52 PM 06:52 AM EST
Important visit by the Commander of the American Fifth Fleet to Israel

U.S. Navy Fifth Commander Admiral Brad Cooper last week concluded a visit to Israel, which included a series of meetings with senior Israeli officers to discuss joint naval threats, in light of Israel's move to the U.S. Central Command forces covering the Middle East.

The Israeli newspaper "Jerusalem Post" reported that Cooper held a series of meetings with Israeli Defense Minister Benny Gantz, Chief of Staff Aviv Kochavi, Israeli Navy Commander Maj. Gen. David Salameh, head of the IDF's International Cooperation Department, Brigadier General Efi Dafrin, And other top executives.

The commander of the Israeli Navy, Major General David Salameh, described the visit of the commander of the US Fifth Fleet as "very important."

Israel joins the Middle East militarily
The visit, which was published only after it ended, is the culmination of Israel's transition from the US military command in Europe (EUCOM) to the US Central Command (CENTCOM), along with other Arab countries in the Middle East.

The commander of the Fifth Fleet said that "Israel's joining the operations of the Central Command opens up new opportunities to deepen our maritime relations and improve regional security and maritime stability," and reiterated his country's commitment to Israel's security.

Israeli Defense Minister Benny Gantz said after his meeting with Cooper, "We discussed the importance of the US presence in the Middle East, as well as other strategic issues, including dealing with the Iranian threat, and Iran's regional aggression undermining stability in the region and countries."

According to the Jerusalem Post, the transfer of Israel to US command in the Gulf waters facilitates military cooperation with Washington, and opens the door to the possibility of a regional alliance with Arab countries, especially against Iran's common threats.

The visit of Fifth Fleet Commander Brad Cooper to Israel, his second since taking office last May, comes days after the Israeli foreign minister visited Bahrain, during which there is a tripartite meeting between Washington, Tel Aviv, and Manama to discuss security cooperation in the Gulf waters.

On January 15, the Pentagon decided to transfer Israel from the US military command operations in Europe to be included in the Central Command of the Middle East, as part of the organizational change system that Trump made days before the end of his term.

The U.S. Central Command was established in 1983 and is responsible for overseeing Washington's military presence in the Middle East, and is responsible for military operations in Afghanistan, Syria, Yemen, and Iraq.

It is worth noting that Israel, upon joining, will become the 21st country to enter the field of Central Command work.

While the U.S. Fifth Fleet, part of the Central Command, covers the Arabian Gulf, Oman Bay, the Red Sea, parts of the Indian Ocean, and three international sea crossings, the Strait of Hormuz, the Suez Canal, and the Bab al-Mandab Straits, it operates off the coast of Bahrain.

 

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