Tweet
PENTAGON WARNS ISRAEL BECOMING INCREASINGLY ISOLATED
PanARMENIAN.Net
October 3, 2011 - 10:07 AMT
PanARMENIAN.Net - U.S. Defense Secretary Leon Panetta warned that
Israel is becoming increasingly isolated in the Middle East, and said
Israeli leaders must restart negotiations with the Palestinians and
work to restore relations with Egypt and Turkey.
The Associated Press reported that in a blunt assessment made as he was
traveling to Israel, Panetta said the ongoing upheaval in the Middle
East makes it critical for the Israelis to find ways to communicate
with other nations in the region in order to have stability.
"There's not much question in my mind that they maintain that
(military) edge," Panetta told reporters traveling with him. "But the
question you have to ask: Is it enough to maintain a military edge
if you're isolating yourself in the diplomatic arena? Real security
can only be achieved by both a strong diplomatic effort as well as
a strong effort to project your military strength."
Panetta is scheduled to meet this week with Israeli and Palestinian
leaders, and then travel to a meeting of NATO defense ministers in
Brussels. His visit comes as Mideast negotiators push for a peace
deal by the end of next year, amping up pressure for the resumption
of long-stalled talks.
The Pentagon chief said Israel risks eroding its own security if it
does not reach out to its neighbors.
"It's pretty clear that at this dramatic time in the Middle East, when
there have been so many changes, that it is not a good situation for
Israel to become increasingly isolated. And that's what's happening,"
he said.
Panetta said the most important thing now is for Israel and its
neighbors "to try to develop better relationships so in the very least
they can communicate with each other rather than taking these issues
to the streets."
PanARMENIAN.Net
October 3, 2011 - 10:07 AMT
PanARMENIAN.Net - U.S. Defense Secretary Leon Panetta warned that
Israel is becoming increasingly isolated in the Middle East, and said
Israeli leaders must restart negotiations with the Palestinians and
work to restore relations with Egypt and Turkey.
The Associated Press reported that in a blunt assessment made as he was
traveling to Israel, Panetta said the ongoing upheaval in the Middle
East makes it critical for the Israelis to find ways to communicate
with other nations in the region in order to have stability.
"There's not much question in my mind that they maintain that
(military) edge," Panetta told reporters traveling with him. "But the
question you have to ask: Is it enough to maintain a military edge
if you're isolating yourself in the diplomatic arena? Real security
can only be achieved by both a strong diplomatic effort as well as
a strong effort to project your military strength."
Panetta is scheduled to meet this week with Israeli and Palestinian
leaders, and then travel to a meeting of NATO defense ministers in
Brussels. His visit comes as Mideast negotiators push for a peace
deal by the end of next year, amping up pressure for the resumption
of long-stalled talks.
The Pentagon chief said Israel risks eroding its own security if it
does not reach out to its neighbors.
"It's pretty clear that at this dramatic time in the Middle East, when
there have been so many changes, that it is not a good situation for
Israel to become increasingly isolated. And that's what's happening,"
he said.
Panetta said the most important thing now is for Israel and its
neighbors "to try to develop better relationships so in the very least
they can communicate with each other rather than taking these issues
to the streets."