Gantz meets with Canadian chief of staff to discuss bilateral defense cooperation

General Tom Lawson says bond between countries has been strengthened during Gantz's tenure.

By YAAKOV LAPPIN
IDF Chief of Staff Lt.-Gen. Benny Gantz meets with his Canadian counterpart, General Tom Lawson on Monday in Ottawa‏. (photo credit: IDF SPOKESMAN’S UNIT)
IDF Chief of Staff Lt.-Gen. Benny Gantz meets with his Canadian counterpart, General Tom Lawson on Monday in Ottawa‏.
(photo credit: IDF SPOKESMAN’S UNIT)
IDF Chief of Staff Lt.-Gen.
Benny Gantz, in North America for a five-day visit, met with his Canadian counterpart, Gen. Tom Lawson, in Ottawa.
During their meeting on Monday, Gantz and Lawson discussed bilateral Canadian- Israeli strategic cooperation, as well as common threats and ways of dealing with them.
The visit underlines the close ties between the militaries of Israel and Canada, Gantz told his host, adding that the relationship is based on common values, joint challenges and joint abilities.
“This partnership is getting closer in light of the dialogue between us,” Gantz said. “Ties have grown closer in the past year with the establishment of the first fixed IDF attaché in Canada.”
Lawson said that “Israel is Canada’s closest ally in the Middle East and our two countries enjoy strong military relations on a variety of fronts. This bond has been strengthened under Lt.-Gen. Gantz’s watch and reinforced by today’s meeting.”
The visit comes after Israel and Canada signed a memorandum of strategic understandings in January 2014, in which they committed to advance bilateral ties in defense, security and government.
Maj. Adam Zusman has served as military attaché in Ottowa since last summer, where he helps coordinate cooperation in counterterrorism, training, search and rescue, intelligence, command and control capabilities and technology. The two countries also exchange information in the field of special forces activities.
Canada has leased and purchased a number of Israeli defense products, including drones and counter-improvised- explosives equipment.
Gantz took off for Washington for the second leg of his tour on Monday night.