30/3/08 The American Secretary of Homeland Security, Michael Chertoff, was on an official visit to Israel from the 27th to the 29th of March, as the guest of the Ministry of Public Security, Avi Dicter. Secretary Chertoff was accompanied by his wife and senior officials of his office.

The aim of the visit was to promote the operational and technological cooperation of the State of Israel and the American Department of Homeland Security in the area of homeland security.

During his visit, Secretary Chertoff met with the Head of the Intelligence Branch in the Israel Defense Force regarding the regional situation and the coordination between the various intelligence agencies, with the Deputy Minister of Defense with whom he discussed issues of crises management during states of emergency in the home front, and with the head if the Israel Security Agency (Shabak).
The meetings were also attended by the Director General of the Israeli Ministry of Public Security, Rani Falk.

The Minister of Public Security, Avi Dicter, accompanied his American counterpart on a visit to Jerusalem during which he presented the challenges Israel faces in homeland security. Secretary Chertoff also visited the Ben Gurion International Airport where he learned about the security and safety systems installed on the premises.

Minister Dicter and Secretary Chertoff discussed the progression of the cooperation between the two offices and other key homeland security issues.

Meanwhile:

24/2/08 The Israel Police hosted last week a delegation of 20 people sent by JINSA (The Jewish Institute for National Security Affairs), headed by the Director of the US Marshals Service, John Clark.

JINSA has been active for many years in explaining the need for a prudent national security policy for the United States, addressing the security requirements for both the United States and Israel, and strengthening the strategic cooperation relationship between the two democracies.

Director Clark concluded the meeting by thanking Minister Dicter for his hospitality and promised to continue strengthening and promoting the cooperation between the agencies.