Israeli officials displayed the country’s multi-tiered aerial defense array for President Joe Biden on Wednesday afternoon shortly after his arrival at Ben Gurion International Airport.
An unclassified video was presented by Defense Minister Benny Gantz to the American president, showing Israel’s multi-tiered air defense array, led by the Defense Ministry’s Israel Missile Defense Organization (IMDO).
Defense Ministry Director General Maj. Gen. (res.) Amir Eshel followed the display with a presentation of Israel’s new “Iron Beam” high-power laser interception system.
The new system was presented to Secretary of State Antony Blinken and US National Security Advisor to the President Jack Sullivan.
Eshel also presented them with the remains of a UAV and a mortar that were intercepted by the Iron Beam system during a groundbreaking series of tests conducted by the Defense Ministry this past April.
Following the defense exhibition, the US Secretary met with Prime Minister Yair Lapid.
Biden Entourage Visits Yad Vashem
Prior to his meeting with Lapid, Blinken joined US National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan and US Special Envoy to Monitor and Combat Antisemitism, Ambassador Deborah Lipstadt, in accompanying Pres. Biden and Israel’s President Isaac Herzog on a somber visit to Yad Vashem in Jerusalem.
During the visit, a traditional stop for all visiting foreign officials in Israel, Biden participated in a wreath-laying ceremony in the Hall of Remembrance. The American president rekindled the Eternal Flame and honored the memories of the victims of the Holocaust.
Notably, Biden — who is tall — eschewed formality and literally dropped to his knee to speak with two seated, elderly Holocaust survivors who were present for the ceremonies, Rena Quint and Dr. Gita Cycowicz.
Israel’s defense minister was also present at the ceremonies, as were Yad Vashem Chairman Dani Dayan and Yad Vashem Council Chairman Rabbi Israel Meir Lau.
