Defense Forces (IDF) Chief of Staff Benny Gantz (R) meets with visiting U.S. Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Martin Dempsey in Jerusalem, on March 31, 2014. General Dempsey arrived in Israel on Sunday for a three-day visit with the country's top military and political leaders. (Xinhua/POOL/Ronen Zvulun)

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Israeli defense minister hails ties with US to ease criticism

JERUSALEM, March 30 (Xinhua) -- Israeli Defense Minister Moshe Ya'alon on Sunday praised ties with the Pentagon in an effort to amend bilateral relations after he criticized U.S. foreign policy.

For Israel, the United States is both "a strategic ally and our greatest friend. The relations are a cornerstone in the national security of Israel," Ya'alon said told media after meeting with Gen. Martin E. Dempsey, chairman of the U.S. joint chiefs of staff, in Jerusalem on Sunday. Full story

Israel Defense Forces (IDF) Chief of Staff Benny Gantz (R) meets with visiting U.S. Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Martin Dempsey in Jerusalem, on March 31, 2014. General Dempsey arrived in Israel on Sunday for a three-day visit with the country's top military and political leaders. (Xinhua/POOL/Ronen Zvulun)