U.S. Army chief to visit Israel before stepping down from post
American General Mark Milley will visit the Jewish state to assess damage to Israeli army readiness following protests by Israeli army reservists
General Mark Milley, chairman of the U.S. Joint Chiefs of Staff, will visit Israel next week to meet Defense Minister Yoav Gallant and Israeli army chief Herzi Halevi, Walla reported on Wednesday.
The media outlet reported that the visit will enable the Biden administration to assess the extent of the damage caused to the Israel Defense Forces' (IDF) readiness by the refusal of some reservists to perform their duties in protest against judicial reform.
Many reservists have stopped reporting for duty or training after Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's government passed a law limiting the ability of the Supreme Court to review and overturn the government's actions
Senior Israeli military leaders, including Israel Air Force commander Major General Tomer Bar, have warned of a gradual degradation in the IDF's readiness for war amid the protests.
It is not yet known whether Milley will meet with Netanyahu. The Pentagon declined to comment on the reported visit.
Israeli sources told Walla that the trip was also a farewell visit for Milley, who is due to leave his post in October. He had been scheduled to visit in June, but cancelled at the last minute due to Wagner Group's rebellion in Russia.