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What role will US play in Middle East conflict?

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    Former U.S. Ambassador to Israel Ned Walker weighs in

  • Duration 4:21
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It forces are building up on the nation's southern border there waiting potential orders to root out the Hamas militants that continue to fire rockets out of Gaza into Israel.

What -- should the US play in this growing conflict.

Joining us now -- Ned walker a former US ambassador to Israel also a former US ambassador to Egypt -- good morning.

Good morning how you doing Jamie good ambassador as you watch this unfold from our shores what do you think we need to do when are we doing enough.

Well we have to do exactly what the president did make everybody well aware in the Arab world and among the Palestinians that we're gonna stand with Israel on this issue.

We wouldn't put up for -- nano second the kind of things that the Israelis are being forced to put up with.

And so we can't blame them for whatever they have to do to protect their citizens that's what -- mentioned status for.

-- -- They can protect their citizens.

Obviously.

Prime minister.

Does not want to go in on the ground it cost some thirteen lives the last time they did that they would -- much prefer to find a solution and right now.

There are discussions going on with the egyptians and just the batteries and others to try to find a solution a way out of this thing so that.

Both sides can.

Walk away from the breach but.

The Israelis have every right to protect themselves.

As a former ambassador to Egypt what do you think the state of Egypt right now.

It is -- are they there for the United States and Israel.

Well there there are and certainly not the way it was before.

But we have to live with the changes that have taken place.

The egyptians are very much dependent on our assistance.

And are particularly in terms of military assistance.

They don't want to see that disappear they also have absolutely no.

As far as I can see interest in starting a war with Israel that would be a disaster for them their economy is in shambles right now.

They can't afford it so I think the egyptians are trying to be cooperative and helpful even though.

They may not particularly like the Israelis.

Knowing the Middle East -- you do ambassador holding so many positions in the region.

How much of this is a result of Iran's hate for Israel hate for the United States just general hate entity.

Buildup of weaponry that we suspect is going on.

But there's no question that Iran is a provider of missiles to the Palestinians.

Sudan is involved in the in the linkage the way of the missiles are getting to -- those components are getting to the Palestinians.

There -- a number of people involved states involved.

By the Iranians have a long standing.

Belief that they secure their position by being hostile to Israel and by being hostile to the United States.

It is -- regime that is very.

Sensitive.

And unsure of itself.

And they take it out by trying to attack us and attack the Israelis.

I have to I have to ask you this question though because a lot of people I know will last -- President Obama during his first term chose not to visit Israel personally.

In his capacity as president he's on an Asian tour right now talking -- about economics in the economies of he was in Thailand this morning.

Should he be in the region right now.

Maybe not in the region right now because the negotiations that are going on would just be distracted by the president being on the ground out there but he certainly.

Needs to make a trip out to our region he needs to -- make a trip to Israel and to some and other countries like Jordan in the region.

To reassure people who that we are indeed engaged and will be engaged in the future.

All right ambassador thank you very much for being with us I appreciate your insight on it.

And -- I'm sure like us our RB you must be hearing from people.

In the region who are gravely concerned right.

Absolutely on both sides people are very very nervous they don't want to see a war.

Everybody loses -- a war there's got to be a way out of us hope so sir nice to meet you thank you ambassador Martin.

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