Home Middle East NATO Deputy Secretary General visits Israel

NATO Deputy Secretary General visits Israel

January 31, 2019

NATO Deputy Secretary General Rose Gottemoeller paid an official visit to Israel, to discuss practical cooperation activities between NATO and Israel.

The Alliance say that she met with government officials in Tel Aviv and Jerusalem to exchange views on current developments in the region.

During her visit, Gottemoeller had substantial discussions with senior civilian and military officials at the Foreign Affairs and Defence Ministries on issues on common interest, and on the breadth of NATO’s partnership with Israel. According to a release:

“Ms. Gottemoeller also participated in a high level conversation on Israel’s approach to Women, Peace and Security issues, where she reaffirmed NATO’s commitment to encourage women’s participation especially at the leadership level in both military and political staff.”

Israel has been a member of NATO’s Mediterranean Dialogue since it was established by NATO Foreign Ministers in December 1994. Israel’s current Individual Partnership and Cooperation Programme was agreed between NATO Allies and Israel in January 2017.

Recently the flagship for NATO Operation Sea Guardian, Greek frigate HS Navarinon, conducted a medical response exercise with Israeli Navy corvette INS Eilat.

The exercise, dubbed ‘MEDEX Crystal Sea’ by the alliance, is designed to develop the medical support around the Mediterranean Sea for Operation Sea Guardian to ensure that any health issue among the crews on board military ships participating in Operation Sea Guardian can be addressed quickly and at the level of care required.

“The exercise is a stepping stone for Operation Sea Guardian as it is the first exercise conducted with a NATO Partner Nation. Israel’s support of, and participation in this exercise helps to build additional medical interoperability in the southern part of the Eastern Mediterranean.

Israel is a very active partner of the Alliance as a member of NATO’s Mediterranean Dialogue, established in December 1994. MEDEX Crystal Sea is a concrete example of the increasing and deepening relationship between NATO and Israel.”

In the exercise, a simulated fire on board HS Navarinon generated a need to provide immediate first aid and stabilization to three injured sailors then transport them to the INS Eilat which has the capability to conduct surgery aboard. On board INS Eilat the patients were received, evaluated and treated according to their injuries.