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Lake Kinneret with the Golan Heights in background (Yaron Kaminsky) Last update - 17:07 21/05/2008 ANALYSIS / Small piece of land could scupper Israel-Syria talks By Akiva Eldar Tags: Mideast peace process  The gap between the Syrian and Israeli positions lies in Damascus' demand for an Israeli withdrawal to the July 4, 1967 lines and Jerusalem's stance that any withdrawal must be to the international border. On the ground, this gap is just several hundred meters, but the sticking point is Syria's demand for land reaching the north-eastern shore of the Kinneret. Unofficial contacts between the two sides via a Swiss channel, which lasted until summer 2006 and were driven by former Foreign Ministry director general Alon Liel, resulted in an agreement that the disputed area between the 1967 lines and the international border would be part of a "peace park" that would cover the entire Golan Heights. The Syrians agreed that Israelis would be able to visit the park during the day without any entry requirements. Advertisement Meanwhile, Syrian President Bashar Assad demanded that Israel honor a pledge by former prime minister Yitzhak Rabin to the United States in which he promised that if all of Israel's demands were met, it would withdraw to the 1967 lines. The talks between the two sides include a range of issues, all of which will play a key role in the success of negotiations, to varying degrees. WATER RESOURCES: Syria, which suffers from water shortages, recently told former U.S. president Jimmy Carter that it is willing to commit that it will not draw water from the Kinneret, but expects financial assistance for desalination plants and a commitment from Turkey that it will supply Syria with water. EVACUATION OF SETTLEMENTS: In previous contacts between Israel and Syria, a rift emerged between the sides over a timetable for the removal of Israeli communities on the Golan Heights. Israel requested a 15-year period to evacuate settlements, while Syria envisioned a period of ten years for removal of these communities. SYRIA'S TIES TO IRAN, HEZBOLLAH AND RADICAL PALESTINIAN GROUPS, INCLUDING HAMAS: Israel insisted that Syria commits in advance to sever ties with these parties, while Damascus maintained that this issue should be on the negotiating table with all other issues. In effect, Syria has rejected any preconditions in the talks. AMERICAN INVOLVEMENT: Syria is standing by its request for U.S. involvement in the negotiations, and wants the U.S. to change its attitude to Damascus and President Bush's inclusion of Syria in the "axis of evil." DEMILITARIZATION OF SYRIAN TERRITORY EAST OF THE AGREED BORDER: Syria previously demanded that Israel also create a demilitarized zone; an agreement on the extent of the two zones has not yet been reached. NORMALIZATION OF TIES: Syria backed an Arab League resolution decision first adopted in 2002 at the Beirut conference to normalize ties with Israel in return for a complete withdrawal from all Arab lands captured in 1967. It is unclear if Syria would agree to the normalization requested by Israel before it cedes the West Bank and East Jerusalem as part of a peace deal with the Palestinians. GOLAN HEIGHTS: The Golan Heights Law which passed in 1981 confirmed Israel's annexation of the Golan. This law could now make it difficult for the government to get the Knesset's approval for settlement evacuation or withdrawal from the Golan Heights. Back in their day, both Rabin and Ehud Barak promised to bring any agreement to a referendum. Related articles: Israel and Syria officially confirm indirect talks Yishai: Syria is still axis of evil; Labor MK: Olmert using spin to deflect from probe Syria-Israel peace deal 'requires shift in U.S. policy' Bookmark to del.icio.us   Jet error Israeli warplanes come close to shooting down Tony Blair's plane. Rehab (live) Report: Singer Amy Winehouse is to undergo drug rehab in Israel.   1.   As Katyushas Fall in Ashkelon 15:20  |  Straight Talk 21/05/08   2.   peace talks 16:11  |  hiram janover 21/05/08   3.   Comprehensive peace can include agreements over water sharing .. 16:20  |  Ahmad 21/05/08   4.   IF YOU BELIEVE THIS,YOU`LL BELIEVE ANYTHING!! 16:36  |  Ian 21/05/08   5.   Palestine First the Syria!!!! 16:50  |  Robert 21/05/08   6.   No withdrawal but to the international border, not to land Syria 16:51  |  Eliyahu 21/05/08   7.   Golan Frontiers 17:15  |  Paul 21/05/08   8.   A time for reality 17:33  |  howiej 21/05/08   9.   Nothing as usual 17:57  |  Dror 21/05/08   10.   Correction Needed 18:12  |  Mark 21/05/08   11.   Peace 19:06  |  Mohammad 21/05/08   12.   THE GOLAN HTS IS ARAB LAND 19:06  |  ARAB DRUZE MUSLIM 21/05/08   13.   It is in the interest of Syrian people to have true Peace 19:17  |  Genuine Tosefta 21/05/08   14.   Syria has a water SURPLUS 19:20  |  steve from Raleigh 21/05/08   15.   There is already Peace with Syria, why tinker with it? 19:21  |  Genuine Tosefta 21/05/08   16.   #9 is most logical, #12 settle down 19:24  |  Lebanese Druze Musli 21/05/08   17.   Jabel Druze will never be independent 19:26  |  Genuine Tosefta 21/05/08   18.   God, Torah, New Testament even Koran declare that the land of Isr 19:32  |  JJ 21/05/08   19.   Paul you right but it is much harder and Peace is impossible 19:33  |  Genuine Tosefta 21/05/08   20.   67 border 19:37  |  steve 21/05/08   21.   If peace talks fail, just withdraw... 19:39  |  eddie 21/05/08   22.   Novel idea!! PEACE....4.....ready for this? PEACE 20:09  |  JJ 21/05/08   23.   Golan 20:21  |  Asshraf 21/05/08   24.   "Peace for peace" not "land for peace" 20:21  |  Schtarker Yid 21/05/08   25.   Syria and the Golan. 20:33  |  Jean Van Daem 21/05/08   26.   THE RABIN DEPOSIT 20:59  |  Arik Silverman 21/05/08   27.   The International Border Seashore Area 21:03  |  thinkaboutit 21/05/08   28.   #20 steve 21:12  |  Boycott 21/05/08   29.   Where Israel will welch on the deal 21:44  |  Colin Wright 21/05/08   30.   Syria Admits Principle of Conquest of Land 21:46  |  dsharon 21/05/08   31.   Peace now 22:17  |  Syrian for peace 21/05/08   32.   Syria-Israel Negotiation 23:27  |  Steve Schuit 21/05/08   33.   #16 & #17 SOMETHING TO THINK ABOUT 23:45  |  ARAB DRUZE MUSLIM 21/05/08   34.   live together in peace 00:28  |  Joe 22/05/08   35.   #29DSHARON . AND MOREOVER... 01:42  |  Ian 22/05/08   36.   # 19 GT 01:45  |  Axel 22/05/08   37.   Arab Druze Muslim 02:21  |  Ashraf 22/05/08   38.   Collin Wright: Should the US give the east coast to England? 02:25  |  JJ 22/05/08   39.   Arab Druze Muslim, Druze and Jewz are very similar 02:29  |  JJ 22/05/08   40.   # 32 Druze Muslim 02:37  |  Will Durant 22/05/08   41.   #29 dsharon, who has a funny definition of "conquest" 03:39  |  Johnboy 22/05/08   42.   #41 Misunderstands 04:47  |  dsharon 22/05/08   43.   #40 Will Durant 05:34  |  ARAB DRUZE MUSLIM 22/05/08   44.   #42 dsharon misunderstands 02:41  |  Johnboy 23/05/08   45.   Goodnight Johnboy 03:25  |  dsharon 24/05/08   46.   #45 Good riddance, dsharon 06:35  |  Johnboy 24/05/08

Read & React Bradley Burston: The Palestinians' time is running out Responses: 301 West backs Lebanese gov't capitulation to Hezbollah Responses: 151 Obama promises 'unshakable commitment' to Israel if elected Responses: 180 Iran reportedly irate over Israel-Syria peace talks Responses: 164 McCain rejects pastor's support after 'God sent Hitler' jibe Responses: 90 Rosner's Domain Rosner's Guests: can "decisive victory" against guerilla achieved? Blame the Israel Lobby for Clinton's loss? (WTR) Poll: Peace between Israel & Syria? Should American Jews Embrace Living Double Lives? Why Obama needs Florida Jews? (WTR) More Headlines 13:33 Hamas: Olmert too weak to negotiate peace agreement with Syria 08:14 UN: No. of roadblocks in W. Bank up 7 percent from last Sept. 13:22 Teenager stabbed to death at high school in Galilee village 03:19 Israeli warplanes almost shoot down Tony Blair's plane 11:18 Egypt police shoot Sudanese migrant at Israel border 08:12 Syria hesitant to let IAEA inspect alleged nuke site hit by IAF 03:38 Report: Singer Amy Winehouse to undergo drug rehab in Israel 13:08 Tourist in critical condition after jumping from Tiberias hospital 08:21 'Israeli Big Lebowski' captures top student prize at Cannes 09:30 11-year-old killed by unexploded IDF ordinance near Ramat Hovav 09:43 In a sign of changing times, IDF and PA military officers meet to talk security Previous Editions Select Day 23 may 22 may 21 may 20 may 19 may 18 may 16 may 15 may 14 may 13 may 12 may 11 may

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