Israeli Defense Minister Moshe Ya�alon called Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Martin Dempsey “a true friend” to Israel during a meeting on Sunday.

The meeting came weeks afer Ya’alon harshly criticized the Obama administration’s foreign policy, which he suggested was weak.

On Sunday, Ya�alon assured Dempsey that the alliance with the U.S. was a �cornerstone� of Israeli security, Haaretz reported.
He thanked Dempsey for �being a true friend� to Israel and the Israel Defense Forces.

The two officials met in Jerusalem to discuss developments in the Middle East and how both countries can work together, the report said.

�We truly appreciate the close relations between the United States and Israel. For us, the United States is a strategic ally and our greatest friend. Our relations with the United States are a cornerstone of Israel’s national security,� Ya�alon said.

His comments come in stark contrast to what he said about the United States and Obama administration about a week ago.

In a speech at Tel Aviv University, Ya�alon criticized President Obama for having a weak foreign policy, and said Israel could no longer depend on the U.S. to lead nuclear negotiations with Iran.

Ya�alon said America�s power in the world has become increasingly diminished.

�Weakness certainly does not pay in the world,” he said. “No one can replace the U.S. as the world’s policeman. I hope the U.S. will come to its senses.�

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