CIA Director John Brennan makes unpublicized visit to Israel

Brennan & Israel’s defense minister, Moshe Yaalon, talked about Israel’s intent to continue striking shipments of advanced weapons destined to Hezbollah from Iran or even Syria.

By JTA

 

JERUSALEM — CIA director John Brennan made an unannounced visit to Israel to discuss the situation in Syria.

CIA director John Brennan - AP Photo-Charles Dharapak

CIA director John Brennan – Photo: AP/Charles Dharapak

Brennan and Israel’s defense minister, Moshe Yaalon, in their meeting Friday reportedly compared intelligence assessments on Syria and its two-year civil war. They also talked about Israel’s intent to continue striking shipments of advanced weapons destined for Hezbollah from Iran via Syria.

Syria has threatened to strike back at Israel the next time it strikes a weapons system on its soil, Britain’s Sunday Times reported.  Two alleged Israeli airstrikes on Syrian military sites earlier this month reportedly targeted long-range missiles in transit from Iran to Hezbollah.

Brennan also met with Israel Defense Forces Chief of Staff Benny Gantz and Mossad head Tamir Pardo, according to reports.

Israel Radio reported that the Central Intelligence Agency chief and Israeli leaders also discussed Iran’s nuclear program and other regional threats.

 

View original JTA publication at: http://www.jta.org/2013/05/19/news-opinion/israel-middle-east/cia-head-john-brennan-makes-unannounced-israel-visit