Pentagon Press Secretary Brig Gen Patrick Ryder provided the following readout:
Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III spoke by phone on Nov. 17 with Israeli Minister of Defense Benjamin "Benny" Gantz. Secretary Austin thanked the outgoing Israeli Defense Minister for his cooperation and partnership with the United States during the past two years. He also expressed his condolences to Minister Gantz for the victims of this week's terror attacks in Israel. Secretary Austin recounted the successes the United States and Israel have enjoyed during their tenures, including securing additional funding for Israel's missile defense, enhancing bilateral cooperation against regional threats, and deepening regional integration. Secretary Austin reaffirmed the U.S. commitment to support Israel's security and Qualitative Military Edge. The two leaders also discussed regional and global security issues.