by Tovah Lazaroff
US National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan landed in Israel on Wednesday to meet with PM Benjamin Netanyahu.
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US Security Advisor Jack Sullivan meets with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
(photo credit: KOBI GIDEON/PMO)
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A joint Israeli American strategy against Iran and a possible normalization deal between Saudi Arabia and the Jewish state were among the top agenda items that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu discussed on Thursday when he met in Jerusalem with US National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan.
The two men discussed the joint effort between their countries to halt Iran's nuclear program and Tehran's destabilizing activities in the region, according to the Prime Minister's Office.
Sullivan underscored for Netanyahu that US President Joe Biden is committed to preventing Iran from obtaining nuclear weapons.
When it came to the region the two men also spoke about expanding the Abraham Accords under whose auspices Israel normalized ties with four Arab countries.
Israeli officials have recently issued a number of statements about a possible pending deal with Saudi Arabia.
The PMO said there was an "emphasis" on such a deal during Thursday's talks.
The meeting is held amid Israeli-Palestinian tensions
Sullivan arrived amid tensions between Israel and the Palestinian Authority, which led a successful campaign that culminated last month in UN General Assembly to request from the International Court of justice for an advisory opinion on the illegality of the "occupation."
Israel has since leveled financial sanctions on the PA and halted Palestinian construction in Area C of the West Bank, which is under IDF military and civilian control.
Netanyahu told Sullivan that the Palestinian push for an ICJ opinion was a direct attack against the Jewish state that justified its response.
At a press point before the meeting, Netanyahu recalled his friendship with Biden which dates back to the 1980s and lauded the US President as a true friend of Israel.
"I have known President Biden for 40 years as a great friend of Israel and I know how much he trusts you in matters of national security.
"You should know that we see you as a trusted partner in matters of assuring security and of course advancing peace. Today you come at a special time because we have acute challenges to our security and vast opportunities for peace.
"I am convinced that by working together we can both meet the challenges and realize the opportunities and that it's something that bolsters our extraordinary alliance but can change the region and can change history," he said.
Sullivan said he brought greetings from US President.
"As you know his commitment to the state of Israel is bone-deep and America's commitment to Israel is ironclad. It's a commitment that is rooted in shared history and shared interests and shared values. You just laid out a wide-ranging agenda for us to cover. And I agree with you we have to talk about both the challenges but also the real opportunities that our two countries have to work for a better future."
Participants in an expanded meeting included Strategic Affairs Minister Ron Dermer, Netanyahu's Chief of Staff Tzachi Braverman, National Security Adviser Tzachi Hanegbi, Israeli Ambassador to the US Mike Herzog, Deputy Assistant to Biden Brett McGurk and US Ambassador to Israel Thomas Nides.
Sullivan also met separately with Foreign Minister Eli Cohen, Hanegbi and Mossad Chief David Barnea.He is expected to meet later with Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas.
Tovah Lazaroff
Source: https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/article-729023
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