Washington, October 03: US Defense Secretary Leon Panetta says the Israeli regime is becoming increasingly isolated following the recent popular uprisings in the Middle East.
“It’s pretty clear 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 is what has happened,” Panetta was quoted as saying by Reuters on Monday.
The American military chief made the remarks on an aircraft ahead of an official visit to Tel Aviv.
Panetta also emphasized that Israel faces security challenges after the downfall of the US-backed regime of Hosni Mubarak in Egypt.
Mubarak was ousted in February following weeks of anti-government protests in the North African nation.
Panetta also called on Israeli officials to repair diplomatic ties with countries such as Egypt and Turkey, reiterating that the military might of the Tel Aviv regime could not compensate for a weakened diplomatic position.
“The question you have to ask is, is it enough to maintain a military edge if you are isolating yourself diplomatically?” he noted.
“Real security can only be achieved by both a strong diplomatic effort as well as a strong effort to protect your military strength,” said the top US official.
Relations between the Tel Aviv regime and Turkey have also been strained ever since Israeli forces attacked the Gaza-bound Freedom Flotilla aid convoy, which was sailing in international waters on a mission to break Tel Aviv’s brutal siege of the entire Gaza Strip. Nine Turkish activists were killed during the Israeli military assault and dozens of others were wounded. Hundreds more in the six-ship convoy were detained under harsh conditions and were later set free.
The refusal by the Israeli regime to apologize for the bloodshed prompted Ankara to expel Tel Aviv’s ambassador and sever all bilateral military ties with the regime.
——-Agencies