BBC: US urges Israel to end 'isolation in Middle East'

[Poll_Blind]

From http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-16014194">BBC:

US Defence Secretary Leon Panetta has urged Israel to "mend fences" with Turkey, Egypt and others in the Middle East to reduce its growing isolation.

--snip--

"Unfortunately, over the past year, we've seen Israel's isolation from its traditional security partners in the region grow, and the pursuit of a comprehensive Middle East peace plan has effectively been put on hold," he said.

--snip--

When asked by an audience member after his speech what Israel could do to get the peace talks restarted, he said: "Just get to the damn table."

"The problem right now is we can't get them to the damn table."

Much more at the link!

The Obama administration is getting frustrated with Israel lately, and this is how they show it. Specifically Benjamin Netanyahu's absolutely shitty coalition government- The NeoCon All-Stars, if you will. This is the http://upload.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=439x2406748">second time in the last few days a high-ranking official in the Obama administration has publicly expressed concern about Netanyahu's irrational behavior.

The Obama administration is not the only one concerned. No less than Meir Dagan, ex-head of the Mossad (yes, that Mossad) had this to say about where Netanyahu's government is pushing Israel, from a different http://www.haaretz.com/print-edition/news/former-mossad-chief-briefed-comptroller-about-iran-strike-plans-1.399061">article also published today:

'I'm very troubled,' Meir Dagan said. 'What I understand is that Israel must act within that time frame. I don't share that appraisal.'

--snip--

Dagan last night expressed concern for possible mistakes made by Israel's leadership. He explained that if a decision takes shape to attack Iran, it is up to him to warn of the imminent disaster. He said an offensive now would be entering "a regional war with eyes wide open. This is necessary only when we're attacked or when the sword begins to cut the flesh."

He added that Iran would react with missile fire, as would Hezbollah, Hamas "and in view of Syria's problematic situation, there's a good chance the Syrians would join in" to divert attention from the riots against the regime.

"I can't predict the number of fatalities in such an attack," he said, in a barb aimed at Barak.

Mind-boggling. I hope the Israelis can rein in their own Prime Minister from starting WW III.

PB

[teddy51]

1. Amazing that a nation of 8 million people could be able to wipe out 6 or 7

billion people. Most know that the Us is responsible for this, by virtue of supplying Israel with the Nuke in the first place.

[Poll_Blind]

2. I think it was actually the French who helped Israel with their core nuclear technologies.

Later, after a falling-out with De Gaulle, Israel tapped America as their new best-est friend. The huge connection between Israel and American Jews and America in general really didn't begin until the mid-70's from what I've read. The whole construct did not naturally come about after WW II as one would imagine.

PB