Bolton praises US-Israel partnership after security meeting with Israeli counterpart

The U.S. and Israel are discussing  cooperation to secure 5G networks, cyber security, and countering malign actors in the Middle East.

By World Israel News Staff

U.S. national security adviser John Bolton is praising a “great meeting” which he held on Monday in Washington with his Israeli counterpart Meir Ben-Shabbat.

“The close United States-Israel strategic partnership reflects the tremendous strength of the ties between our governments and the citizens of our two allied countries,” wrote Mr. Bolton on Twitter.

He also stated that “very productive” meetings were held with members of U.S.-Israeli national security teams. The bi-national teams periodically hold discussions, alternating between each other’s country.

“We reaffirmed long-standing shared security priorities and discussed expanding cooperation to secure 5G [advanced wireless] networks, cyber security, and countering malign actors in the Middle East,” said the U.S. national security adviser.

On a trip to Israel in January, he tried to allay Israeli concerns over an American pullout from Syria.

Israeli contacts with the U.S. national security adviser have also dealt with the Iranian threat posed by both its nuclear program and conventional terror.

Mr. Bolton has taken a tough stand against Tehran, saying last September, as the U.N. General Assembly was convening, that “the murderous regime and its supporters will face significant consequences if they do not change their behavior. Let my message today be clear: We are watching, and we will come after you.

“If you cross us, our allies, or our partners; if you harm our citizens; if you continue to lie, cheat and deceive, yes, there will indeed be hell to pay,” said the U.S. adviser.

Mr. Bolton has pledged to Israel that it would not have to make concessions in exchange for the U.S. move of its embassy in Israel from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem.

“The US embassy ought to be in the capital city of the country which is accredited as the right and natural thing to do, and it’s not an issue of quid pro quo,” he said.

Cyber securityJohn Bolton