IDF Spokesperson January 26th, 2009

IDF Chief of Staff Leaves for NATO Conference in Brussels

The IDF Chief of the General Staff arrives this morning in Brussels for the
NATO Military Chiefs of Defense Conference which opens today, Tuesday,
January 26th, 2010. His agenda will include discussions regarding the short
and long term challenges facing Israel, the combination of threats in the
region and the need for cooperation between the IDF and NATO militaries and
countries against the global terrorist threat.

The conference will focus on ways to enhance maritime security and includes
meeting with Mediterranean Dialogue countries. In addition, the Chief of the
General Staff will hold a series of meetings with his counterparts from
various countries and senior officials in NATO.

These will include a meeting with his American counterpart, Chairman of the
Joint Chiefs of Staffs, Admiral Michael G. Mullen. The two will discuss
strengthening the relations between the two armed forces, the security
condition and the challenges in the Middle East.

The IDF Chief of the General Staff will also hold meetings with the
following: Commander of EUCOM (U.S European Command), Admiral James G.
Stavridis; Chief of the General Staff of the Canadian Military, General
Walter J. Natynczyk; Chief of the Defense Staff of Italy, General Vincenzo
Camporini; Australia Chief of the Defense Force, Air Chief Marshal Angus
Houston; Chief of Defense of France, General Jean-Louis Georgelin; Chief of
the Defense Staff of the United Kingdom, Air Chief Marshal Sir Jock Stirrup.
In addition, Lt. Gen. Ashkenazi will visit NATO's situation room and meet
with the Chairman of the European Union Military Committee, General Håkan
Syrén.

During his visit, the IDF Chief of the General Staff will also meet with
senior officials from the Israeli Embassies in Belgium, Holland and the
European Union.

During the meetings, the Chief of the General Staff will present the
security challenges facing Israel, and focus on arms smuggling and the
mounting threat of global terrorism.

The Chief of the General Staff will be accompanied by the Head of the
International Military Cooperation Department, Col. Dan Hefez, by the
Assistant to the Chief of the General Staff, Col. Erez Winner and by the
Israel Defense and Armed Forces Attaché to Holland, NATO and the EU, Col.
Hanny Caspi.

The IDF Deputy Chief of the General Staff, Maj. Gen. Benny Ganz, will
replace Lt. Gen. Ashkenazi during his absence.