Defense secretary says ‘international permission’ trumps Congress - Secretary of Defense Leon Panetta is facing criticism for statements he made at a hearing this week regarding the use of international military force without the explicit approval of Congress

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Thank you, Mr. President, for convening this important debate. I would like to thank the Secretary-General for his remarks, and all others the speakers who set the stage for today’s discussion.

Some in Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office are taking comments this week by U.S. Secretary of Defense Leon Panetta as a direct assault against the Israeli leader.

In his first visit to Israel as United States Defense Secretary, Leon Panetta stressed America’s “unshakeable commitment to Israel’s security.” In a meeting with Israel’s Defense Minister Ehud Barak, Panetta said that Israel and America share a closer defense relationship than ever before.