Posted on 10/02/2011 5:48:06 PM PDT by MinorityRepublican
U.S. Defense Secretary Leon Panetta warned Sunday that Israel was at risk of becoming isolated and more vulnerable if it did not take steps to repair ties with neighboring countries and restart negotiations with the Palestinians.
The U.S. remains committed to helping Israel maintain its "qualitative military edge" in the Middle East, Mr. Panetta said. But he added that genuine security would not come through military hardware, but by returning to peace negotiations.
"The question you have to ask is: 'Is it enough to maintain a military edge if you are isolating yourself in the diplomatic arena?'" he said. "Real security can only be achieved by a strong diplomatic efforts as well as a strong effort to protect your military strength."
Mr. Panetta commented while en route to Israel for a visit starting Monday. While there, he will try to restart direct negotiations between the Israeli government and the Palestinian Authority. He is scheduled to meet with both Israeli and Palestinian officials.
Mr. Panetta, the former CIA director and a onetime White House official, said the U.S. wants to give the Israelis confidence that they can "take risks for peace" and that they will have "room to negotiate."
Mr. Panetta is also scheduled to travel to Egypt to meet with officials there, and said he would try to help improve communications and cooperation between Cairo and Jerusalem.
Israel has strained to maintain ties to neighboring countries with which it once had strong working relationships. Turkey, which once had close bonds to Israel, has grown more distant over the issue of the Israeli naval blockade of Gaza. Israel's relations with Egypt have also deteriorated, culminating in a recent attack on the Israeli embassy by protestors in Cairo.
(Excerpt) Read more at online.wsj.com ...
Israel has been isolated from the arab nations from day -1, and always will be.
Is this the Arab Spring I keep hearing about?
We need to be afraid..very afraid.
Thanks for the Ping!
Yep it’s happening!
ZECHARIAH 12:3
On that day, when all the nations of the earth are gathered against her, I will make Jerusalem an immovable rock for all the nations. All who try to move it will injure themselves.
I know Israel will be isolated. The Bible tells us that “ALL nations will come against Israel.” So, I know it will happen, but I hate to see it.
Even so, come Lord Jesus.
Yep. That’s a good argument to use in a debate with a non-believer.
It may be happening but the final battle may not be for another 1,000 years. Or more. Who knows?
Just look at what the Jews are doing to themselves!
They better knock it off and make things right with all their “neighbors”, otherwise what happens will be their own fault!
sarc
I hate to see Israel isolated too, but I made up my mind a long time ago to believe and take G-D at His Word—and that's His statements, not mine. I guess this means we'll have to stand with Israel no matter the cost in lives or fortunes.
Maranatha—Even so come quickly, Lord Jesus.
no negotiations with terrorists....ever
Obama is trying to toss over Israel into a suicide pact with the Pali’s because he knows he won’t be elected to a second term, and therefore is trying to force a “peace” agreement down Israel’s throat before he gets kicked out of office. A last feather in his cap, and his gift to the Muzzies before he is no more in the WH.
Clinton leaned on Ehud Barak to offer historic concessions to Yassir Arafat who responded with the 2000 Intifada.Hillary screeches about settlements--and her body person was her Saudi agent of influence.
Now comes the Saudi Harvard scholarship winner delivering.
Perhaps Ahmadinejad convinced Barry he's the Hidden Imam.
Narcissists open to blackmail in just that way.
Come on, Israel, lighten up--just because the Hamas Charter calls for your destruction in its 28 chapters doesn't mean you can't be friends.
Does anyone recall the comparison of Benjamin Netanyahu as an IDF pilot versus Barry as the Midnight Toker.
Ignorance and Arrogance presuming to dictate terms to God's chosen people.
Still time for a Wag the Dog, but we know how the movie ends.
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