Joint Statement on the Annual Meeting of the U.S.-Israeli Defense Policy Advisory Group

The Defense Policy Advisory Group was held in Tel Aviv on June 24, 2010. The annual U.S.-Israel bilateral defense meeting was co-chaired by the U.S. Under Secretary of Defense for Policy Michele Flournoy and the Israeli Director General of the Ministry of Defense Udi Shani.

The group discussed a range of topics of mutual interest to the U.S. and Israel, including the enduring U.S. commitment to Israel's security, the deep bilateral defense relationship, the United States' commitment to Israel's qualitative military edge, and the challenges posed by Iran and terrorist organizations.

The meeting was conducted in an open and intimate atmosphere of mutual confidence and trust, reflecting the depth and breadth of the relationship, and the parties reaffirmed the statements of Secretary of Defense Robert Gates and Minister of Defense Ehud Barak that the U.S. -Israel defense relationship is stronger than ever.

During her visit to Israel, Under Secretary Flournoy had the opportunity to visit Sderot and other key sites in southern Israel to get a first hand impression of the security situation. She also visited Kerem Shalom, the main border crossing of civilian goods to the population of Gaza. The Israel Defense Forces also displayed the Israeli Arrow ballistic missile defense system and Iron Dome, a new Israeli short range rocket defense system. President Barack Obama has recently requested $205 million in U.S. support for Iron Dome.