Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu met Thursday morning in Jerusalem with US Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Gen. Martin Dempsey.

“You’ve been a wonderful friend and a grand champion of America and of America-Israel relations,” Netanyahu greeted Dempsey warmly. “We appreciate it.” 

“I want to take this opportunity to also express our respect and deep admiration for America’s fighting men and women. We know you’re extended around the world, including in our region.”

“We know we have no better friends than the American people, the American governments, the American fighting men and women,” Netanyahu stressed. “You fight for America, but you also fight for freedom.”

Dempsey responded positively, noting, “the greatest gift has been the friendship that we’ve managed to forge with the leaders in the IDF, and I know you’re proud of them but we are too.” 

“It’s our constitution, and you know that that’s what inspires us as I know service to your nation inspires you.”