* US defence secy says strong diplomacy key to IsraelÂ’s security
* Says Peace process with Palestinians effectively ‘on hold’
* Says ‘We can’t get ‘em to the damn table’
US Defence Secretary Leon Panetta urged Israel to get back to the ‘damn’ negotiating table with Palestinians and take steps to address what he described as the Jewish state’s growing isolation in the Middle East.
Panetta, addressing a forum in Washington, also made one of his most extensive arguments to date against any imminent military action against Iran over its nuclear programme, saying he was convinced that sanctions and diplomatic pressure were working. “You always have the last resort ... of military action. But it must be the last resort, not the first,” Panetta said. |