Readout of Secretary Napolitano's Meetings With Israeli President Shimon Peres, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Intelligence and Atomic Energy Dan Meridor, and Minister of Transport Yisrael Katz

Press Release

Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Janet Napolitano today traveled to Israel, meeting with Israeli President Shimon Peres, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Intelligence and Atomic Energy Dan Meridor, and Minister of Transport Yisrael Katz to discuss threats from terrorism and the ongoing security partnership between the United States and Israel.

"Protecting against terrorism relies on close cooperation and information sharing with our international partners," said Secretary Napolitano. "The continued collaboration between the United States and Israel is critical to ensuring our shared security in the face of new and evolving threats."

In her meetings with President Peres, Deputy Prime Minister Meridor, and Minister Katz, Secretary Napolitano reiterated her commitment to promoting enhanced international aviation security and sharing information and best practices with Israeli aviation authorities in order to counter threats of terrorism. Secretary Napolitano also discussed the continued collaboration between the two countries on global supply chain security, emergency management, science and technology, and intelligence analysis and sharing.

Secretary Napolitano also visited the historic Western Wall in Jerusalem's Old City as well as the Yad Vashem Holocaust Memorial, where she delivered brief remarks on the significance of the memorial and laid a wreath with a ribbon that read "U.S. Department of Homeland Security."

Tomorrow, Secretary Napolitano will meet with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and other top Israeli officials and visit the Ben Gurion International Airport to meet with airport officials.

Secretary Napolitano's visit to Israel follows stops in Ireland, Afghanistan and Qatar. She will continue to Belgium on Jan. 5-6 to meet with European Union and World Customs Organization officials to discuss international efforts to ensure the security of our global aviation and supply chain systems against threats of terrorism.

For more information, visit www.dhs.gov.

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