Panetta Heads to Tel Aviv Concerned Over Israel’s Isolation

Defense Secretary Leon Panetta said he is concerned Israel is becoming “increasingly isolated” as uprisings sweep the Middle East and that the U.S. is working to improve the country’s ties with Turkey and Egypt.

“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’s what’s happening,” Panetta told reporters traveling with him to Tel Aviv. “For the security of that region, it’s really important that we do everything possible to try to help them re- establish relations with countries like Turkey and with Egypt.”

Israel-Egypt ties have frayed since Egypt’s President Hosni Mubarak was ousted in February, bringing calls to end a three- decade peace treaty between the two nations. Turkey downgraded relations with Israel after Netanyahu refused to apologize for a commando raid last year on a Turkish vessel attempting to breach the Israeli blockade of the Gaza Strip that left nine dead.

Panetta’s comments came after Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said he accepted a proposal from the U.S. and its partners to restart peace negotiations with the Palestinians. Panetta, who will meet with Netanyahu, Defense Minister Ehud Barak and Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas, said the talks are essential for Israel’s security.

‘Strong Diplomatic Effort’

“Is it enough to maintain a military edge if you’re isolating yourself in the diplomatic arena?” he said. “Real security can only be achieved by both a strong diplomatic effort as well as a strong effort to protect your military strength.”

Panetta will go to Cairo after Israel in his first visit to the region since becoming defense secretary on July 1. He aims to reinforce President Barack Obama’s efforts to improve regional stability following uprisings in Tunisia, Egypt, Yemen, Libya and Syria.

“There are too many friction points as it is right now, with all of these changes taking place,” Panetta said. “The most important thing now would be for Israel as well as these neighboring countries to try to develop better relationships so at the very least they can communicate with each other rather than taking these issues to the streets.”

Egypt’s ruling military council declared a state of emergency to restore order after protesters in Cairo attacked the Israeli Embassy on Sept. 9, forcing an evacuation of diplomatic personnel.

Settlement Freeze

The so-called Quartet, which comprises the U.S., the United Nations, the European Union and Russia, issued the proposal for new peace talks on Sept. 23 after Abbas asked the UN to approve a Palestinian application for full membership. Members of the group have been trying to pressure him to drop the statehood initiative, which the U.S. has vowed to veto, and focus on pursuing a peace agreement with Israel.

Talks between Israel and the Palestinians broke down a year ago after Netanyahu refused to renew a 10-month freeze on settlement construction. Abbas has said that building in settlements has to stop before peace talks can resume.

“My main message to both sides is you don’t lose anything by going into negotiations,” Panetta said. “In many ways, they can protect their interests when they go to negotiations, and at the same time open a door to the possibility of finding a way to resolve these difficult issues.”

In Cairo, Panetta will meet with Field Marshal Mohamed Hussein Tantawi, who heads the military council that took over power from Mubarak, as well as Prime Minister Essam Sharaf. After his Middle East trip, Panetta will travel to Brussels to attend regular meetings of North Atlantic Treaty Organization defense ministers.

Discouraging Iran Strike

On Iran, Panetta signaled that the U.S. continues to discourage Israel from potential military action to stop the Islamic state from further nuclear development. The U.S. said it believes Iran is pursuing an atomic weapon, while officials in Tehran say they are solely interested in nuclear energy.

Netanyahu told the opening of the UN General Assembly in New York last month that the prospect that Iran’s “fanaticism” will include atomic weapons is “the greatest danger facing our world.”

“The international community must stop Iran before it’s too late,” Netanyahu said. “If Iran is not stopped, we will all face the specter of nuclear terrorism, and the Arab Spring could soon become an Iranian winter.”

Asked to comment on calls in Israel for a pre-emptive strike on Iran, Panetta said the international community should do everything in its power to persuade the Iranians to stop working toward a nuclear weapon and end support for militants in the region.

“I think the most effective way to deal with Iran is not on a unilateral basis,” Panetta said. “The best way to deal with the issues there is to unify.”

To contact the reporter on this story: Viola Gienger in Tel Aviv through the Washington newsroom at +1- vgienger@bloomberg.net