Admiral Giampaolo Di Paola, chairman of the North American Treaty Organization (NATO), arrived in Israel Wednesday for an official two-day visit to further strengthen military and defensive cooperation between Israel and NATO. He is being hosted by IDF Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Gabi Ashkenazi
Admiral Di Paola, making his third visit to the Jewish State, was invited by Lt. Gen Ashkenazi at a meeting between the two military leaders last November at a NATO Generals' Conference in Brussels. The Italian military commander also will meet with Defense Minister Ehud Barak and is scheduled to visit the Palmachim Air Force Base, where he will be briefed on the Israel Air Force's role in Operation Cast Lead and the Second Lebanon War.