US Defence Secretary Lloyd Austin hosted his Israeli counterpart Benny Gantz at the Pentagon on Thursday amid heightened regional tension.
Mr Gantz began serving as Minister of Defence in 2020 and became Deputy Prime Minister of Israel in 2021.
The meeting comes as the US continues indirect talks with Iran in hopes of reviving the nuclear deal that put curbs on Tehran's nuclear ambitions — a deal that was quashed by former president Donald Trump.
Israel has long been opposed to a nuclear deal with Iran and during talks with Mr Austin, Mr Gantz emphasised the need to put a stop to Iranian aggression.
“We must act decisively against Iran’s mounting regional aggression in a variety of ways — this includes strengthening a practical coalition under US leadership together with regional partners,” Mr Gantz told Mr Austin.
The Israeli defence chief also thanked Mr Austin for supporting the passing of a $4.8 billion dollar security package for Israel.
The package, which was passed by the US senate in March, earmarked $1bn for Israel’s Iron Dome missile defence system.
The two defence chiefs met as tension in Israel and the West Bank continues to build.
Mr Gantz's office said in a statement that he had "debriefed Secretary Austin on recent security tension in Israel, particularly the recent wave of terror" and that he also spoke on Israel's counter-terrorism and intelligence efforts.
More than a dozen people were killed in a series of attacks that began in late March. This month, three people were killed in the central Israeli city of Elad when two assailants leapt from a car swinging axes at passers-by.
And last week, Palestinian-American journalist Shireen Abu Akleh was fatally shot while covering an Israeli raid in the West Bank town of Jenin.
During her funeral in Jerusalem, police clashed with mourners — including those bearing Abu Akleh's coffin — and several people were injured.
Director: Laxman Utekar
Cast: Vicky Kaushal, Akshaye Khanna, Diana Penty, Vineet Kumar Singh, Rashmika Mandanna
Rating: 1/5
Our legal consultant
Name: Hassan Mohsen Elhais
Position: legal consultant with Al Rowaad Advocates and Legal Consultants
THE BIO
Age: 33
Favourite quote: “If you’re going through hell, keep going” Winston Churchill
Favourite breed of dog: All of them. I can’t possibly pick a favourite.
Favourite place in the UAE: The Stray Dogs Centre in Umm Al Quwain. It sounds predictable, but it honestly is my favourite place to spend time. Surrounded by hundreds of dogs that love you - what could possibly be better than that?
Favourite colour: All the colours that dogs come in
The Melbourne Mercer Global Pension Index
The Melbourne Mercer Global Pension Index
Mazen Abukhater, principal and actuary at global consultancy Mercer, Middle East, says the company’s Melbourne Mercer Global Pension Index - which benchmarks 34 pension schemes across the globe to assess their adequacy, sustainability and integrity - included Saudi Arabia for the first time this year to offer a glimpse into the region.
The index highlighted fundamental issues for all 34 countries, such as a rapid ageing population and a low growth / low interest environment putting pressure on expected returns. It also highlighted the increasing popularity around the world of defined contribution schemes.
“Average life expectancy has been increasing by about three years every 10 years. Someone born in 1947 is expected to live until 85 whereas someone born in 2007 is expected to live to 103,” Mr Abukhater told the Mena Pensions Conference.
“Are our systems equipped to handle these kind of life expectancies in the future? If so many people retire at 60, they are going to be in retirement for 43 years – so we need to adapt our retirement age to our changing life expectancy.”
Saudi Arabia came in the middle of Mercer’s ranking with a score of 58.9. The report said the country's index could be raised by improving the minimum level of support for the poorest aged individuals and increasing the labour force participation rate at older ages as life expectancies rise.
Mr Abukhater said the challenges of an ageing population, increased life expectancy and some individuals relying solely on their government for financial support in their retirement years will put the system under strain.
“To relieve that pressure, governments need to consider whether it is time to switch to a defined contribution scheme so that individuals can supplement their own future with the help of government support,” he said.
Company profile
Company name: Nestrom
Started: 2017
Co-founders: Yousef Wadi, Kanaan Manasrah and Shadi Shalabi
Based: Jordan
Sector: Technology
Initial investment: Close to $100,000
Investors: Propeller, 500 Startups, Wamda Capital, Agrimatico, Techstars and some angel investors
