Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu reiterated his faith in the “brave partnership” between Israel and the United States on Thursday while laying the cornerstone for a new hospital in Ashdod.
"One of the foundations of our security is the brave partnership between us and the United States,” said Netanyahu during the ceremony for the new medical center.
In what appeared to be a slap at political rivals Ehud Olmert, Ehud Barak and Yair Lapid, among others, he added, “In recent days, I have been hearing voices, that are coming from among us that are trying to stir things up between us and the United States. This will not help them.
“The alliance between Israel and the United States is strong,” Netanyahu emphasized. “We have a strategic partnership. We have cooperation in all areas but especially in the security sphere; there cooperation is deep, broad and fundamental.
"I will continue to work with President [Barack] Obama in order to advance the vital interests of the State of Israel regarding the security of Israel's citizens,” he added.
The new medical facility will be a branch of the Assuta private hospital network that operates throughout Israel, and will be only the fourth hospital to be established in the entire southern region.
Yoseftal Hospital exists in Eilat, Barzilai Hospital is located in Ashkelon, and Soroka Medical Center, associated with Ben Gurion University of the Negev and the largest of the three, is located in Be'er Sheva.