Defense Minister Ehud Barak called to convene a special cabinet session to discuss Israel's growing political isolation in the wake of the recent crises with Turkey and Egypt. Events are occurring which are not in Israel's control but Jerusalem can certainly affect the way it faces them he told ministers at the weekly cabinet meeting, The defense minister also warned that Israel's ties with the United States are eroding and said ahead of the Palestinian statehood bid at the United Nations this month, Jerusalem must discuss the situation with the Quartet, and European countries. Speaking to the Arab media on Sunday Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas said the Palestinians will continue to demand the right of return of the millions of refugees to their homes inside Israel even after the United Nations recognizes a Palestinian state on the 1967 lines.