Al Jazeera (Reuters): “Panetta: Israel must ‘get to the damn table’”
New York Times: “Defense Chief Says Israel Must Mend Arab Ties”
Fox News: “Panetta Scolds Israel on Peace Talks”
Sometimes media can make a public event into a Rorschach test, reporting what they are predisposed to want us to see. Coverage of Defense Secretary Leon Panetta’s speech to the Saban Forum is an example. The transcript simply does not bear out the headlines.
Panetta declared publicly that Israel’s security, based on its relationship with the United States, is a core component of stability in the region: “…that bond is the fundamental key to stability and hope in the Middle East, and it is a bond that must never be broken.” He spelled out the three principles of America’s regional policy: “First, our unshakable commitment to Israel’s security. Second, our broader commitment to regional stability. And third, our determination to prevent Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons.” Panetta illustrated these principles by referring to the Administration’s actions. He cited “unprecedented levels of defense cooperation with Israel to back up our unshakable commitment to Israel’s security.” AJC’s sources in the Israeli defense establishment confirm this without reservation, noting the announcement in the same speech of the largest-ever joint U.S.-Israel military exercises.
READ MORE: http://bit.ly/1jAjaDL
Secretary Panetta’s Speech: A Rorschach Test
Al Jazeera (Reuters): “Panetta: Israel must ‘get to the damn table’”
New York Times: “Defense Chief Says Israel Must Mend Arab Ties”
Fox News: “Panetta Scolds Israel on Peace Talks”
Sometimes media can make a public event into a Rorschach test, reporting what they are predisposed to want us to see. Coverage of Defense Secretary Leon Panetta’s speech to the Saban Forum is an example. The transcript simply does not bear out the headlines.
Panetta declared publicly that Israel’s security, based on its relationship with the United States, is a core component of stability in the region: “…that bond is the fundamental key to stability and hope in the Middle East, and it is a bond that must never be broken.” He spelled out the three principles of America’s regional policy: “First, our unshakable commitment to Israel’s security. Second, our broader commitment to regional stability. And third, our determination to prevent Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons.” Panetta illustrated these principles by referring to the Administration’s actions. He cited “unprecedented levels of defense cooperation with Israel to back up our unshakable commitment to Israel’s security.” AJC’s sources in the Israeli defense establishment confirm this without reservation, noting the announcement in the same speech of the largest-ever joint U.S.-Israel military exercises.
READ MORE: http://bit.ly/1jAjaDL
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Edward Rettig