US Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Gen. Mark Milley (L) lights a Hanukkah menorah, as IDF Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Aviv Kochavi (R) looks on, Dec. 17, 2020. Photo: IDF Twitter account.

US Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Gen. Mark Milley capped off a two-day visit to Israel on Friday, during which he sat down with top defense officials to discuss Middle East security issues.

After meeting with Milley, Israeli Defense Minister Benny Gantz tweeted, “Enjoyed hosting US Chairman of @thejointstaff, #GenMilley, with IDF Chief of General Staff, today. We talked about regional shifts and the importance of continued pressure on Iran.”

“I also shared my profound gratitude for the defense cooperation between our countries, which protects our shared interests, as well as Israel’s qualitative, quantitative, and technological edge,” Gantz added.

Enjoyed hosting US Chairman of @thejointstaff, #GenMilley, with IDF Chief of General Staff, today. We talked about regional shifts and the importance of continued pressure on Iran. pic.twitter.com/OjhfxT6QLJ

— בני גנץ – Benny Gantz (@gantzbe) December 18, 2020

On Thursday, IDF Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Aviv Kochavi hosted Miley for a menorah-lighting ceremony to celebrate the eighth and final night of Hanukkah.

“The close relationship between the IDF and the US military is of paramount importance at the strategic level and is reflected in operational and technological cooperation that strengthens the IDF in the Middle East every day,” Kochavi said.

Milley declared, “I am proud to be with our great friend and ally, the modern Maccabees of the State of Israel. And I take special pride to be here on the last night of Hanukkah when the light of the menorah burns most bright.”

1/
IDF Chief of the General Staff LTG Aviv Kohavi hosted Chairman of @thejointstaff Gen. Mark A. Milley & US Staff Sgt. Jarelle Turner, a MFO peacekeeper who survived the deadly helicopter crash in November, for a candle lighting ceremony on the 8th & final night of Hanukkah. pic.twitter.com/To87oau2KS

— Israel Defense Forces (@IDF) December 18, 2020

יושב ראש המטות המשולבים של צבא ארצות הברית, הגנרל (* * * *) מארק א. מילי השתתף אתמול בטקס הדלקת נרות חנוכה בהובלת ראש המטה הכללי, רב-אלוף אביב כוכבי, לציון הנר השמיני והאחרון של חג החנוכה >> https://t.co/Vw3tyysQd1 pic.twitter.com/91gioMz75b

— צבא ההגנה לישראל (@idfonline) December 18, 2020