Netanyahu, US Joint Chiefs of Staff Discuss Iranian Threats

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu meets Gen. Mark Milley, chairman of the US Joint Chiefs of Staff, in Tel Aviv, Israel on Dec. 18, 2020. Twitter
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu meets Gen. Mark Milley, chairman of the US Joint Chiefs of Staff, in Tel Aviv, Israel on Dec. 18, 2020. Twitter
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Netanyahu, US Joint Chiefs of Staff Discuss Iranian Threats

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu meets Gen. Mark Milley, chairman of the US Joint Chiefs of Staff, in Tel Aviv, Israel on Dec. 18, 2020. Twitter
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu meets Gen. Mark Milley, chairman of the US Joint Chiefs of Staff, in Tel Aviv, Israel on Dec. 18, 2020. Twitter

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defense Minister Benny Gantz have discussed with visiting Chairman of the US Joint Chiefs of Staff General Mark Milley Iran’s threat in the region.

A statement from Netanyahu's office said Friday the PM also discussed with Milley regional threats and military cooperation between Israel and the US.

Netanyahu thanked the US General for the military cooperation between the two countries, which has expanded in recent years, and expressed hope that such coordination would continue.

This is Netanyahu’s second meeting with a senior US security official this week.

Last Sunday, the Israeli PM met with US National Security Adviser Robert O'Brien.

Before meeting O'Brien, Netanyahu said "the United States and Israel are working closely together more than ever."

Gantz said the army is ready for any eventuality in the face of the Iranian threat in the region, calling on the US military to remain in the Middle East.

During Friday's talks, which focused on "the Iranian threat to the region," Gantz said pressure on the Tehran regime must be continued.

"During the meeting, we discussed various challenges and changes in the Middle East,” a statement from his office said.

The Israeli Defense Minister called for continued pressure on the Iranian regime.

"It is important to maintain the US military presence in the Middle East, which is a key element for stability in the region," he said, addressing the US Chief of Staff, who arrived in Israel on Thursday on a two-day visit.

He met with the Chief of Staff of the Israeli army, Aviv Kochavi, and a number of officers, to discuss joint cooperation, amid escalating tensions between Israel and Iran in the wake of the assassination of nuclear scientist Mohsen Fakhrizadeh last month.



Reactions to the Death of Pope Francis

Pope Francis speaks during an interview with The Associated Press at The Vatican, Tuesday, Jan. 24, 2023. (AP)
Pope Francis speaks during an interview with The Associated Press at The Vatican, Tuesday, Jan. 24, 2023. (AP)
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Reactions to the Death of Pope Francis

Pope Francis speaks during an interview with The Associated Press at The Vatican, Tuesday, Jan. 24, 2023. (AP)
Pope Francis speaks during an interview with The Associated Press at The Vatican, Tuesday, Jan. 24, 2023. (AP)

Pope Francis, the first Latin American leader of the Roman Catholic Church, has died, the Vatican said in a video statement on Monday. He was 88, and had recently suffered a serious bout of double pneumonia.

Following are reactions to his death:

US VICE-PRESIDENT JD VANCE:

"I just learned of the passing of Pope Francis. My heart goes out to the millions of Christians all over the world who loved him.

"I was happy to see him yesterday (Sunday), though he was obviously very ill. But I’ll always remember him for the.... homily he gave in the very early days of COVID. It was really quite beautiful."

ITALIAN PRIME MINISTER GIORGIA MELONI:

Meloni mourned the departure of "a great man, a great shepherd".

"I had the privilege of enjoying his friendship, his advice, his teachings, which never ceased not even during times of trial and suffering," Meloni said in a statement.

FRENCH PRESIDENT EMMANUEL MACRON:

"Throughout his pontificate Pope Francis had always sided with the most vulnerable and the most fragile, and that he did this with a lot of humility. In this time of war and brutality, he had a sense for the other, for the most fragile," he said.

INDIAN PRIME MINISTER NARENDRA MODI:

"Pope Francis will always be remembered as a beacon of compassion, humility and spiritual courage by millions across the world.

"He diligently served the poor and downtrodden. For those who were suffering, he ignited a spirit of hope. I fondly recall my meetings with him and was greatly inspired by his commitment to inclusive and all-round development. His affection for the people of India will always be cherished. May his soul find eternal peace in God’s embrace."

GERMANY'S CHANCELLOR-IN-WAITING FRIEDRICH MERZ:

Pope Francis would be remembered for tireless commitment to the society's weakest members.

"He was guided by humility and faith in God's mercy," Merz said in a post on X.

ISRAEL'S PRESIDENT ISAAC HERZOG:

"A man of deep faith and boundless compassion, he dedicated his life to uplifting the poor and calling for peace in a troubled world," Herzog said of Francis. "I truly hope that his prayers for peace in the Middle East and for the safe return of the hostages (in Gaza) will soon be answered," Herzog said on X.

CARDINAL PABLO VIRGILIO DAVID, PRESIDENT OF THE CATHOLIC BISHOPS CONFERENCE OF THE PHILIPPINES:

"Oh my God. I am so shocked by this."

"Let us please ring the bells of our churches and call our people to prayer for the eternal repose of the Holy Father Pope Francis who passed on just about ten minutes ago."