Daily Archives: July 18, 2010

COGAT’s Briefing to the EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, 18 July 2010

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The Spokesman of the Coordinator of Government Activities in the Territories (COGAT) announces that today, July 18, 2010, the Coordinator of Government Activities in the Territories, Maj. Gen. Eitan Dangot, and the Director General of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Yossi Gal, met with EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Baroness Catherine Ashton, at the Erez Crossing. During the meeting, Maj. Gen. Dangot elaborated on the steps taken in order to implement the government’s policies regarding the Gaza Strip and presented data on the daily entry of goods via the crossings.

Maj. Gen. Dangot described the increase in the volume of goods passing through the Kerem Shalom and Karni crossings. The Ministry of Defense Crossings Authority representative also emphasized that the capacity has been increased to 150 truckloads per day via Kerem Shalom, and that since July 4, construction work has been carried out by the Palestinian Authority on the Palestinian side of the crossing in order to increase the crossing’s capacity to 250 truckloads a day by July 31.

Maj. Gen. Dangot also presented the High Representative with a list of projects that were approved in addition to the 14 projects approved by the Palestinian Authority and commenced prior to the Cabinet’s decision.

Maj. Gen. Dangot emphasized that Israel will continue to provide solutions to the needs raised by the Palestinian Authority and the international community, based on the existing crossings and the maintenance of the Kerem Shalom Crossing as the main commodities crossing. The policies will be implemented in accordance with security considerations and with the fact that the Hamas terror organization continues to control the Gaza Strip.

The COGAT Spokesman further announces that the transfer of the cargo from the Libyan vessel began this morning via the Kerem Shalom Crossing, following coordination between Israel and Egypt. The remainder of the cargo from the vessel will be transferred into Gaza without interrupting the daily coordination of 150 truckloads of goods.

IDF Chief of the General Staff Departs for Work Visit in Italy and France, 18 Jul. 2010

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The IDF Chief of the General Staff, Lt. Gen. Gabi Ashkenazi departed for an official five-day work visit to Italy and France. Lt. Gen. Ashkenazi was invited by his  counterparts, the Chief of Defense Staff of Italy, General Vincenzo Camporini, and the French Chief of Defense Staff, Admiral Edouard Guillaud. The three will discuss mutual security challenges and the situation in the Middle East.

The visit is aimed at strengthening cooperation between the countries and their militaries.

In addition to meeting with his Italian counterpart, General Camporini, the Chief of the General Staff will meet with senior figures from the Italian Ministry of Defense, Israel’s Ambassador to Italy, Mr. Gideon Meir, and the leaders of Italy’s Jewish community. Lt. Gen. Ashkenazi will also tour Italian military bases and meet with senior commanders from the Italian General Staff. He will also visit and give a modest address at the historical Arch of Titus in Rome, on Monday, July 19th, 2010.

The IDF Chief of the General Staff will also visit France. There he will meet with his counterpart, Admiral Guillaud, President Sarkozy’s Military Assistant, General Puga, the Political Advisor, General Georgelin, and with leaders of France’s Jewish community.

Accompanying Lt. Gen. Ashkenazi are his wife Ronit, the IDF Spokesperson Brig. Gen. Avi Benayahu, Head of the International Military Cooperation Department, Col. Dan Hefez, and his aide.

The IDF Deputy Chief of the General Staff, Maj. Gen. Benny Gantz, will act in Lt. Gen. Ashkenazi’s place during his absence.