Photo: Mr Panetta said he wants Israelis and Palestinians to return to peace negotiationsDef. Sec. Panetta: Israel Risks Isolation -- CBS News
(AP) ON BOARD A MILITARY AIRCRAFT - Defense Secretary Leon Panetta warned Sunday 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.
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.
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My Comment: In other words .... Def. Sec. Panetta wants Israel to issue a public apology to Turkey for last year's seizure of a protest ship to Gaza that resulted in the deaths of a number of Turkish protestors, to accommodate Egypt's new rulers (what for I do not know) .... and to start negotiations with the Palestinian leadership who now show no interest to pursue peace talks.
Hmmm .... I suspect that this is not going to be an easy trip for the Secretary.