Israeli Defense Minister Moshe Ya’alon, pictured, met at the Pentagon on Monday with U.S. Defense Secretary Ashton Carter. Photo: Wikimedia Commons.

JNS.org – Israeli Defense Minister Moshe Ya’alon met at the Pentagon on Monday with US Defense Secretary Ashton Carter. Among other matters, Ya’alon and Carter discussed the new 10-year memorandum of understanding on US security assistance to Israel that is currently being negotiated.

Other topics of discussion were recent developments in the Middle East and the deepening of ties between the Israeli and US defense establishments.

Ya’alon and Carter agreed to increase cooperation in the cyber domain, with the goal of bolstering their nations’ cyber defense capabilities.

A Pentagon spokesman said Carter reaffirmed the “unshakable” U.S. commitment to Israel’s security and the importance of US-Israel defense ties.

After the meeting, Ya’alon said, “Our bond with the US is the cornerstone of our national security.” Ya’alon went on to call Carter a “true friend” who was “committed to Israel’s security.”