The visit was scheduled after an invitation by Lt. Gen. Gabi Ashkenazi.

More Articles US Army and IDF Begin Joint Air Defense Exercise Newly appointed IDF Military Attache in Washington D.C. Israeli Civilian Severely Injured by Firebombs Follow the IDF on Twitter New Academic Military Medicine Program "The IDF is the insurance certificate to the existence of the State" All Articles

On Saturday (Oct. 17), the Chief of the Defence Staff of the Canadian Forces, Gen. Walter J. Natynczyk arrived in Israel a three day long work visit as the guest of the IDF Chief of the General Staff, Lt. Gen. Gabi Ashkenazi.

This is the first time Gen. Natynczyk's is visiting Israel since his appointment in July 2008. The visit was scheduled after an invitation by Lt. Gen. Gabi Ashkenazi with purpose of mutual updating. A briefing will be held on the strategic intelligence of the situation in the Middle East, a presentation of the lessons learnt during the Second Lebanon War and Operation Cast Lead, as well as a general strengthening of the relations between the two militaries.

Gen. Walter J. Natynczyk is expected to withhold a work meeting with the IDF Chief of the General Staff and with other senior members of the IDF Headquarters, including the Deputy Chief of the General Staff, Maj. Gen. Benny Ganz, the Head of the Strategic and Planning Branch, Maj. Gen. Amir Eshel, the outgoing GOC of the Central Command, Maj. Gen. Gadi Shamni, and others.

Gen. Natynczyk is scheduled to visit the Tel Nof Air Force base and to tour the Northern Command with a briefing by the Commander of the Galilee Division, Brig. Gen. Yoel Streak. He will also tour the Southern Command and the Erez District Coordination and Liaison where he will be briefed by the Southern Command Executive Officer, Brig. Gen. Harel Knafo, among other things.

In addition, Gen. Natynczyk will pay a visit to the Yad VaShem Holocaust Museum in Jerusalem.

Gen. Natynczyk's wife, Leslie, will accompany him during his visit. Mrs. Natynczyk is planning to visit the Bet HaLohem (House of the Combat Soldier), where she will be told about the work with bereaved families and injured soldiers. Mrs. Natynczyk is also expected to visit the cities of Jerusalem, Zikhron Ya'akov and Caesaria.