BICOM

US Secretary of Defense, Leon Panetta called yesterday for the recommencement of negotiations between Israelis and Palestinians. Panetta’s remarks were made in the course of an official visit to Israel. The US Defense Secretary said that his “main message” to “both sides” was that nothing was lost through negotiating.

Elsewhere, Panetta presented a broader analysis of the current regional situation and the issues facing Israel as a result of the regional upheavals of 2011. While noting that Israel remained the most powerful regional nation militarily, Panetta stressed that “real security” could come only from a “strong diplomatic effort” alongside the maintaining of military strength. In this regard, the US defence chief called on Israel to work to restore relations with Turkey and Egypt.

Following his visit to Israel, Panetta is due to travel to Egypt, where he will meet with Prime Minister Esam Sharraf and Supreme Council of the Armed Forces head Mohammed Hussein Tantawi.

Meanwhile, back in Washington the United States Congress made its first official statement yesterday regarding the decision to block almost $200 million in aid to the Palestinian Authority. Bradley Goehner, Communications Director of the House Committee on Foreign Affairs, said that the funding has been blocked while Congress seeks further information regarding the use by the PA of funds previously supplied, the PA’s intentions regarding the current funds and systems in place to enable the reduction of US support for the Palestinians. Goehner’s statement also referenced the concern of Congress members regarding the PA’s relations with Hamas, its activities at the UN and its failure to recognise Israel as a Jewish state.

The Obama Administration, meanwhile, is according to media reports currently seeking to unblock the aid. State Department spokeswoman Victoria Nuland told reporters yesterday that talks are under way between officials and members of Congress to enable this.