Jerusalem: The Israeli navy will join a
NATO force patrolling the Mediterranean Sea as part of the
"global war on terror," a military spokesman said on Tuesday.
The spokesman confirmed a report by the Maariv
newspaper which said the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation
headquarters last week approved the Israeli Navy`s inclusion
in Operation Active Endeavour.
"The navy will participate in the activities," the
spokesman said. The announcement came as a major boost just
days after Turkey scrapped a joint aerial exercise that was to
have included Israel, Maariv said.
Bilateral relations have taken a downturn since
Israel launched a devastating military offensive in Gaza in
December.
Operation Active Endeavour was launched one month
after the September 11, 2001 attacks on the World Trade Center
in New York.
As part of the operation, NATO ships patrol the
Mediterranean to monitor shipping "to help detect, deter and
protect against terrorist activity," according to the
transatlantic alliance.
Task Force Endeavour consists of surface units,
submarines and patrol aircraft and regularly uses frigate
forces.
Bureau Report
