Israel Matzav

Panetta spins for Obama

On his way to Israel on behalf of President Obama, US Secretary of Defense Leon Panetta issues a 'blunt assessment' that Israel must do something to break out of its 'isolation' in the Middle East (Hat Tip: Sparky the Wonder Dog in comments).

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."

Funny - we don't seem to be so isolated.

There's a famous Jewish parable about a fish and a fox that is told by Rabbi Akiva. A fox stands on the shoreline and tries to convince a fish to come out of the water and be friends with him 'as our forefathers were.' The fish tells the fox that without water, the fish will die, and besides, the fish doesn't trust the fox anyway. Rabbi Akiva says that the water is Torah and the fox is the non-Jews who are constantly attempting to get us to abandon the Torah. But could it also be that the fox is the Arab and Muslim countries and the fish in the water are the countries with whom the Netanyahu government has formed alliances? Aren't we better off in the water (in both the traditional sense of the parable and the one that I just proposed)? Why should we listen to the Obama administration and come out when every time we come out, those on the outside seek to swallow us?

Labels: Barack Hussein Obama, diplomatic isolation, Egypt, Leon Panetta, Turkey

posted by Carl in Jerusalem @ 8:33 AM