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Hagel: "I Intend to Expand the Depth and Breadth of U.S.-Israel Cooperation"
(Ha'aretz) Chemi Shalev - In a letter to Sen. Barbara Boxer (D-Cal.), U.S. Secretary of Defense-designate Chuck Hagel has expressed regret for using the term "Jewish lobby" and has reiterated his support for "a strong U.S.-Israel relationship" and for "Israel's right to defend itself against attack." Hagel wrote: "America's relationship with Israel is one that is fundamentally built on our nations shared values, common interests and democratic ideals. The Middle East is undergoing dramatic and historic changes, ones which surround Israel with tremendous uncertainty. We are working together daily, hand in hand, in unprecedented ways, to counter old, new and emerging mutual threats. I fully intend to expand the depth and breadth of U.S.-Israel cooperation."