The new Israeli Defense Minister thanks the US support in his first call to Austin

MADRID 8 Nov. (EUROPA PRESS) –

The Israeli Minister of Defense, Israel Katz, held a first call this Friday with his American counterpart, Lloyd Austin, in which he took the opportunity to once again highlight the “firm support” provided by Washington “since the beginning of the war”.

“I have thanked you for America’s steadfast support of Israel from the beginning of the war, your commitment to our joint efforts to bring all hostages home, and for maintaining our strategic ties against the threats posed by Iran and its allies,” said Katz.

Likewise, the new Israeli Defense Minister has taken the opportunity to also thank the United States for its forceful stance against the “serious attacks” suffered the day before by Israelis in the Dutch city of Amsterdam, during a soccer match.

Finally, Katz has expressed his conviction that “soon” he will be able to meet in person with Austin in Israel.

Katz officially assumed the position as Israel’s Defense Minister this Friday, replacing Yoav Gallant, whom Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu dismissed in mid-week citing a series of disagreements, which had deepened in recent times and he already considered insurmountable.

Gallant’s dismissal has sparked criticism not only from the opposition, which accuses Netanyahu of making a political decision in the middle of the war; but also of the relatives of the hostages and part of the population, who have even taken to the streets several consecutive nights to protest the decision.