NEW CUMBERLAND, Pa. (WHTM) — They come to buy, well, they can’t say specifically what they’re here to purchase for their countries’ militaries.
But they end up taking home something else: friendships — including ones that might seem unlikely — which they’re happy to talk about.
Lt. Col. Moran Goldstein is one of two special assistance liaison officers, or SALOs, serving Israel’s military at the United States Army Security Assistance Command here. Like counterparts from traditional allies — think Canada and Australia, for example — Goldstein works to buy materiel for his country.
Holocaust Remembrance Ceremony held in Harrisburg
But he also does so alongside SALOs from countries like Jordan, Turkey and Saudi Arabia that often aren’t aligned with Israel.
Turns out, they don’t merely coexist.
“We are very good friends, playing soccer together, drinking beer together, talking on a daily basis about everything,” Goldstein said.
Or nearly everything, anyway. The key?
“We just don’t mention politics,” Goldstein said.