Israel's Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu welcomed General Martin Dempsey, the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff to the Prime Minister's residence. The Prime Minister recalled that a few months ago he had hosted the President and Commander-in-chief Barak Obama.

Mr Netanyahu said that he appreciated what the president had said regarding the strength of the U.S. and Israel strategic alliance, their security cooperation and Obama's statement that Israel must be able to defend itself, by itself against any threats.

The Prime Minister had hectic meetings with President Obama recently when Israel was asked to withdraw to 1967 borders. The gesture of withdrawal was hoped to bring about a lasting peace in the region. Israel, however, had security concerns as the 1967 borders were indefensible in case of an attack and explained their position to the U.S.

The Prime Minister said that Israel had many threats in the region and chief among them was Iran getting nuclear weapons. A nuclear Iran "dwarfs" all other threats according to the prime minister. The Prime Minister said that Israel and the U.S will work together to ensure that Iran does not get nuclear weapons.

The Prime Minister was expected to discuss all security issues with General Dempsey and will discuss all the challenges in the region including establishing peace in the region.

General Dempsey thanked the Prime Minister for inviting him to his home so soon after the Prime Minister had gone through a surgery. He wished the Prime Minister a speedy recovery. General Dempsey re-committed the U.S. commitment to Israel.

The meeting came in the backdrop of peace talks between Israel and Palestine. The meeting will also focus on the ongoing unrest in Syria.

The Prime Minister of Israel underwent a hernia surgery a few days ago and left the hospital last Sunday. He was admitted to Hadassah Hospital-Ein Karem in Jerusalem after he complained of pain. The operation was said to have gone without complications.

The Prime Minister was back to work for the crucial Israel-Palestine talks, for which he was criticized recently after having released about 26 Palestinian prisoners as a pre-condition for talks.