Relations between the IDF and foreign militaries grow stronger

Several countries strengthened their security bonds with Israel this year. The subjects in which these foreign militaries most seek Israeli cooperation are sea terror and urban warfare

Yarden Winter, Bamahane
Despite the Goldstone Report, many countries have deepened their security related connections with Israel in this year. The Planning Directorate notes that Operation Cast Lead strengthened the image of the IDF as a body trained in fighting terror, particularly in urban warfare.
Col. Dan Hafetz, the Head of the International Military Cooperation Department of the Planning Directorate, explains, “The challenges standing before the State of Israel act as a point of interest among NATO member countries who deal with similar security scenarios. As long as NATO countries reinforce their activities in Afghanistan, the connection between them and Israel is strengthened.” He continues, “This year alone, tens of countries across the ocean strengthened their relations with Israel.” Representatives from foreign militaries are particularly interested in fighting terror and in urban warfare, in the cooperation between the ground, naval and air forces and finally in ways of evacuating the wounded while under fire.
In the past year, a number of Chiefs of Staff of foreign militaries visited Israel, among them those of India, Great Britain and Canada. The IDF Chief of the General Staff, Lt. Gen. Gabi Ashkenazi, visited with three militaries throughout the world in the year 2009. In fact, only recently did he return from a visit at the Annual Conference of NATO militaries, focusing on sea terror. Within the framework of this visit, he met with his counterparts from France, Australia, Italy, Canada and Great Britain. “The subject of arms smuggling is an area of direct influence on the NATO member countries who are forced to deal with that exact phenomenon in Afghanistan,” Col. Hafetz emphasizes. “Naval terror, which Israel deals with, is currently concerning foreign militaries who deal with pirates.”