Subscribe to Print Edition | Wed., November 12, 2008 Cheshvan 14, 5769 | | Israel Time: 13:34 (EST+7) web haaretz.com   Back to Homepage Haaretz Toolbar Diplomacy Defense Jewish World Opinion National Print Edition Car Rental Books Haaretz Magazine Business Real Estate U.S. election Travel Week's End Anglo File

Anything for a quiet life By Jonathan Spyer Tags: israel news So far, the story of the current negotiations with Syria showcases a number of recurring problematic elements in Israel's approach to regional policy - and not just toward Syria. A chronic myopia serves Israel's cause poorly, and leaves the country open to manipulation. For the Syrians, the Olmert government's offer to start negotiations was the equivalent of a "get out of jail free" card. French President Nicolas Sarkozy's visit to Damascus in September set the seal on the Alawite regime's triumphant passage from isolation, a journey it began courtesy of the talks with Israel. In meetings in Damascus, in which the Emir of Qatar and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan also participated, Syrian President Bashar Assad reportedly issued a six-point document that we are told will form the basis for the fifth round of indirect talks. The document is understood to include a demand for Israeli withdrawal from the entirety of the Golan Heights. Prime Minister Ehud Olmert has yet to set a date for these talks. It is not quite clear at the moment whether anyone involved expects them to lead anywhere. One Israeli source quoted in the press said there was no chance of a deal or even a breakthrough. Another dropped hints that the talks would be deadly serious, with far more happening behind the scenes than met the public eye. All, however, agreed that if there was any hope at all of a breakthrough, even a sliver, it was incumbent upon the government of Israel to try. Advertisement The Syrians, for their part, have made it clear, via every available platform, that the subject of the talks would be the return of the Golan Heights, in exchange for security guarantees on the Heights. They have repeatedly stated that there is no chance of putting other Syrian relationships - such as the strategic alliance with Iran, or the support for Hezbollah, Islamic Jihad and Hamas - on the discussions' agenda. One witty Syrian commentator even suggested that just as the Syrians did not expect Israel to discuss Israeli-Georgian relations with them, so Israel should not presume to bring up other, unrelated aspects of Syria's system of alliances. So the talks, which will probably lead nowhere, have already largely served the purposes for which the Syrians entered into them. If, however, they were to lead somewhere, it would inevitably require Israel to cede strategic ground to a regime that currently poses no credible conventional military threat, but which would reserve the right to continue to threaten in various other ways. That is, Israel would cede an important asset in order to offset a currently non-existent threat, while accepting that its concessions would have no bearing at all on very real and existing dangers. "We have to try," we are told, all the same. If only to establish a "channel" of communication. This kind of rhetoric is the authentic voice of a widespread Israeli outlook that seeks a quiet life at all costs. The problem is that seeking a quiet life at all costs is not a good strategy for attaining one. Current Israeli strategy broadcasts a willingness to be led by the nose by even the vaguest hint of willingness for peace. In so doing, it gives a very large room for maneuver to countries that mean Israel ill. Observe the sequence of events: Syria actively arms and supports bodies engaged in killing Israelis, maintains a rock-solid alliance with Israel's main strategic enemy, and is facilitating the rebuilding of a military infrastructure pointed at Israel in southern Lebanon. It seeks to avoid paying a price for any of this by expressing its willingness to begin peace talks. Israel rushes to accommodate. The message is thus conveyed that Israel apparently has no strenuous objection to neighboring countries helping to engage in killing its citizens, and will even hand out strategically vital territory on trust to these countries. Such an approach serves to confirm the supposition of the Iran-led alliance facing Israel to the effect that the Zionist entity is a tired, befuddled creature, willing to grasp for any illusory fata morgana that seems to offer it the chance of saving its skin. In the very brutal game of regional politics, as played by Syria and its allies, the current government may take credit for a number of tactical successes. The bombing of the Syrian plutonium reactor, and perhaps the killings of Imad Mughniyeh and General Mohammed Suleiman served as a warning to the Assad regime that its excitement following the 2006 Lebanon War was premature. However, the over-arching desire to immediately cash in on these security successes with a half-baked political process serves to nullify any gains. The Iran-led regional camp absorbs the blows, and, relentless, continues its long game of intimidation and blackmail. Those seeking a quiet life continue to wonder why it eludes them. After all, if they were Assad, they would jump at the chance. And so it goes. It's time to take a closer look at the thinking and the behavior of the regimes to which we seek to grant concessions. It's time to understand that the Assad regime is simultaneously implacable, brutal and fragile, and for all these reasons should be contained - not offered gifts of territory. The matter at hand is a long game of chess, requiring strong nerves. It may last a generation. Peace now, or even peace soon, is not presently an option. Jonathan Spyer is a senior research fellow at the Global Research in International Affairs Center at the Interdisciplinary Center, Herzliya. Bookmark to del.icio.us   No light at the end Amira Hass / Powerless in Gaza, residents rely on the tunnels. Offensive strikes Report: U.S. secretly attacked dozens of Mideast targets since 2004.   1.   Article avoids the real point 09:59  |  Natallie Durson 07/11/08   2.   Come on, Jonathan...... 10:02  |  Clickfool 07/11/08   3.   OMG, Haaretz prints a Pro Israel article. I`m in shock 10:06  |  Ken Jurist 07/11/08   4.   Golan Heights was always part of Israel. Read its history 10:14  |  David Stoler 07/11/08   5.   Israeli leaders believe in total surrender to Syria. 10:20  |  Eric Wood 07/11/08   6.   Hear, hear! 10:46  |  RobertK 07/11/08   7.   Articel ignores the possibility that Syria can change 11:59  |  dyinglikeflies 07/11/08   8.   Olmert can`t see beyond himself 12:27  |  Ilan 07/11/08   9.   Fata Morgana 13:35  |  Avi 07/11/08   10.   Anyone remember Yehuda Gil? 13:54  |  Manny Goldstein 07/11/08   11.   Shia kill Sunni, Sunni kill Shia 16:16  |  rich 07/11/08   12.   A change must come soon or later 16:57  |  S.Awaad 07/11/08   13.   myopic article 17:01  |  examiner 07/11/08   14.   100 percent correct. Only dissenters here want Israel destroyed 18:02  |  McQueen 07/11/08   15.   To dyinlikeflies:of course syria can change 18:16  |  Arie 07/11/08   16.   Well written Examiner... 18:37  |  BBSNews 07/11/08   17.   True peace 19:30  |  jim 07/11/08   18.   Syria "gave green light" for Oct. 26 raid on Al Qaida 19:58  |  Joe Camel 07/11/08   19.   Residual Oslo Psychosis 20:42  |  AniAshkeloni 07/11/08   20.   Syria, Israel and Golan 21:04  |  Luiz Felipe Haddad 07/11/08   21.   Gotta love those idiots who think they know it all... 21:17  |  JT 07/11/08   22.   Possible Outcome 23:01  |  Uri 07/11/08   23.   #1 Natallie 23:30  |  Courcey 07/11/08   24.   Uri #19 -- What exactly is the damage done to Iran? 02:14  |  Joe Camel 08/11/08   25.   OK AniAshkeloni, the US will keep Iraq... 02:24  |  BBSNews 08/11/08   26.   The answer is Russia Uri... 02:30  |  BBSNews 08/11/08   27.   #4 06:22  |  umich student 08/11/08   28.   You are not mistaken UMICH student... 08:33  |  BBSNews 08/11/08   29.   #26 bbs MISSES the huge FOREST for the lone TREE. Again. 09:12  |  CK Tan 08/11/08   30.   #27 umich student - you are TOTALLY mistaken 09:22  |  CK Tan 08/11/08   31.   An irreconcilable Peace dilemma: Jewish yearning vs. Arb greed 13:56  |  Genuine Tosefta 08/11/08   32.   myopic, but not in the way this article suggests. 14:08  |  KM 08/11/08   33.   Come on, clickFOOL..... 14:18  |  Joe Moer 08/11/08   34.   on Jonathan Spyer, myopic fool 14:46  |  zeev 08/11/08   35.   For Joe Moer #33 15:03  |  Clickfool 08/11/08   36.   umich student - do ASK the bbs for his PROOFS 15:59  |  CK Tan 08/11/08   37.   BBS News - SOFA becomes USFWA 16:22  |  Mark Lincoln 08/11/08   38.   37 mark in a quandary and theoretical bunkum 16:42  |  victor hardman 08/11/08   39.   I know Mark Lincoln, it`s just... 17:06  |  BBSNews 08/11/08   40.   BBSNews just cannot grasp the point. 19:30  |  miguel almela 08/11/08   41.   BBSNews - the warlovers 20:36  |  Mark Lincoln 08/11/08   42.   Excellent Article By J. Spyer 21:09  |  Gary 08/11/08   43.   #18, Raid on Kfaa was a "joint" attack 21:17  |  Gary 08/11/08   44.   #25 BBS: You prove my point. 01:58  |  AniAshkeloni 09/11/08   45.   it`s not time for peace 02:43  |  joe 09/11/08   46.   BBSNews #25 03:50  |  Gee 09/11/08   47.   to AniAshkeloni #40 - try to think 05:13  |  zeev 09/11/08

Read & React Nasrallah: Israeli hands that attack Lebanon will be severed Responses: 82 Carlo Strenger: Why Barack Obama's win is 'good' for the Jews Responses: 25 Secular candidate Barkat, after win: I'll be mayor of all Jerusalemites Responses: 14 Amir Oren: A Netanyahu win will put us on collision course with Obama Responses: 16 More Headlines 13:29 Four Palestinian gunmen killed in IDF raid on Gaza 09:42 Secular candidate Barkat, after win: I'll be mayor of all Jerusalemites 12:05 Cabinet: No extra NIS 500m to reinforce Gaza-area homes 11:40 Why Barack Obama's win is 'good' for the Jews 11:05 Prosecutor: U.S. Muslim charity glorified Jihad and killing Jews 03:24 Footage emerges of Obama poking fun at 'foul-mouthed' Rahm Emanuel 12:54 Iran says it test fired long-range surface-to-surface missile 13:25 Egyptian troops mass on Sinai border in wake of deadly clashes with Bedouins 07:42 Sources: Israeli businesswoman brokering E. Guinea arms sales 12:22 Israel's longest-serving mayors ousted as residents vote for change 09:10 Peres breaks bread with Saudi king to kick off interfaith meet 07:15 Olmert aides 'flabbergasted' by Livni coolness to Syria talks 09:53 Construction of Negev missile defense base run by U.S. troops completed 06:29 Fischer springs surprise 0.5% cut to lowest ever interest rate Previous Editions Select Day 11 nov 10 nov 09 nov 07 nov 06 nov 05 nov 04 nov 03 nov 02 nov 31 oct 30 oct 29 oct

Special Offers Advertisement Living in Israel Studying in English Click & Meet our students from all around the world Dan Boutique Jerusalem New Dan Hotel in Jerusalem Young, Fun & Distinctively Dan Book Now Online! Fattal Hotel Chain Perfectly located hotels on best resorts of Israel. Car rental in Israel Shlomo Sixt Receive $15.00 from our low rates. Dial 013 for your long-distance calls and get all your money back US CITIZENS Vote for real change. Request your ballot today! Eldan Rent a Car Israel's leading car rental company offers you a 20% discount on all online reservations Jewish Singles Personal Ads Find the love of your life on JDate.com Israel's Premier Real Estate Website www. israel-property.com Hebrew Summer courses From $39.95 Junkyard Junk a car - get free towing nationwide and a tax-deductible receipt

Home | TV | Print Edition | Diplomacy | Opinion | Arts & Leisure | Sports | Jewish World | Underground | Site rules |

Real Estate in Israel | Travel to Israel with Haaretz | Hotels Israel | Restaurants Israel | Tourist attractions Israel | Shops Israel

birthright Israel | Search engine marketing

Haaretz.com, the online edition of Haaretz Newspaper in Israel, offers real-time breaking news, opinions and analysis from Israel and the Middle East. Haaretz.com provides extensive and in-depth coverage of Israel, the Jewish World and the Middle East, including defense, diplomacy, the Arab-Israeli conflict, the peace process, Israeli politics, Jerusalem affairs, international relations, Iran, Iraq, Syria, Lebanon, the Palestinian Authority, the West Bank and the Gaza Strip, the Israeli business world and Jewish life in Israel and the Diaspora.

© Copyright  Haaretz. All rights reserved