A U.S. Navy Warship Makes An Israeli Port Of Call

U.S. Ambassador to Israel David Friedman tour USS Ross, during a ceremony marking the 243rd anniversary of the U.S. Navy aboard the guided-missile destroyer, at the Ashdod port, Israel October 11, 2018. Heidi Levine/Pool via REUTERS

Reuters: U.S. Navy returns to Israeli port in sign of 'deep alliance'

ASHDOD, Israel (Reuters) - A U.S. Navy warship has docked in the southern Israeli port of Ashdod, the first such visit there in almost 20 years, in what officials from both sides hailed as a sign of their strong ties in the face of shared adversaries like Iran.

Foreign navies generally prefer northern Haifa as their Israeli port of call, so the destroyer USS Ross’s arrival at Ashdod potentially signaled Washington’s interest in broadened berthing options for its Mediterranean Sixth Fleet.

“This visit has significance. It symbolizes the deep alliance between Israel and the United States,” said Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, speaking from the deck of the USS Ross, together with his wife and the U.S. ambassador to Israel.

Read more ....

WNU Editor:  A lot of symbolism and messaging in this port of call.