Assad: Mideast peace 'impossible' with Netanyahu
Syrian president blames building of new settlements as reason for stalling peace talks, AFP reports.
By Haaretz Service Tags: Bashar Assad Syria Israel news Middle East peaceSyrian President Bashar al-Assad said Thursday that peace with Israel was "impossible" as the government headed by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was not a real partner for talks, French news agency AFP reported.
"The establishment of peace in the Middle East is impossible because of the absence of an Israeli partner," Assad told reporters in Damascus.
Israel and Syria conducted indirect peace negotiations through Turkish mediators last year, with Syria suspending those talks as a reaction of Israel's war in Gaza in December 2008.
Assad also called the recent Israeli approval of a plan to build 1,600 new East Jerusalem housing units a "real obstacle," which would create "more wars and tension" in the entire region.
The Syrian president told AFP that his country was genuinely interested in establishing comprehensive peace with Israel "through Turkish-sponsored indirect negotiations," but the current political climate in the region would not enable such ties, AFP reported.
He added that the Israeli government "cannot be considered a partner as long as it responds to calls for peace with settlements and the Judaization of (Muslim) holy sites."
Syria is demanding that Israel agree to return the entire Golan Heights, territory captured in the 1967 Six Day War, in any peace deal.
Since the establishment of Netanyahu's government in March last year, the Syrian president has iterated his concern regarding the lack of an Israeli partner for peace.
Last month, Defense Minister Ehud Barak warned that the stalled peace process with Syria could augur ill for the future of the Middle East.
"In the absence of an arrangement with Syria, we are liable to enter a belligerent clash with it that could reach the point of an all-out, regional war," Barak told senior Israel Defense Forces officers.
Barak said Israel's response to the Goldstone Report, which it submitted to the United Nations, was "very important."
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Then when withdrawing back from the Golan, the Syrians must allowed a PEACE PARK on THEIR LANDS.
Arab Territories than Peace with the neighbors. You Know it, I know it, and the WORLD knows it.
nobody else, as he is the only Unreliable partner to all the other Leaders of Syria, Palestinians and Lebanese.
Assad could certainly do more to promote peace even if Netanyahu is determined to start a war. Israel will not invade Syria. That would leave Hisbollah on Israel's left flank, Hamas on it's rear and besides, Syria, weak as it is, might not be a total push over like Hisbollah was in the Second Lebanon War. Israel is smart enough to not take on anything but 98 lb weaklings.
Isn't any Israeli president who don't give away land for peace, (that never worked, look at Gaza) 'impossible' in the eyes of the wonnahaves? Sofar, Bibi is doing a good job.
Assad is a dictator who ruthlessly oppresses his own people. Assad should be overthrown before any talks of peace begin. Assad supports Huzzballah and other terrorists organizations. Assad is a disgrace to the entire Arab world and should have a shoe thrown in his ugly face. Assad is Irans lapdog and he should be isolated by the entire world. People of Syria rise up and overthrow this tyrant before he brings destruction on your country.
Syria with a leadership like Assad doesn't want peace with Israel. Never will. He or any other dictator shouldn't be taken seriously. Just trying to scare Israelis by using words which hits directly the psychologically weak spots in decent and peace loving Israelis. Unfortunately, the leftists do believe and become frightened by his lofty words and lies. I believe the only ones to understand Assad's manipulative language is in reality Netanjahu and Lieberman, and of course that disturbs not only the leftists, but 'the whole world'.
Actually, the Olmert govmnt did reach an agreement with Styria on a peace treaty. It involved a complete israeli withdrawal from the Golan and the establishment of a "peace park" on the liberated lands. Olmert did not have the political ability (due to criminal investigations and the vile attack on the inhabitants of Gaza) to fulfill this. Haaretz published this, along with a preliminary draft agreement
There will be peace the day we elect a dictator like Assad. Just joking. Assad inherited the country from his dictator father, that killed 20,000 dissidents in one week.
"Mideast peace is impossible with Netanyahu" Before Netanyahu there was Olmert and before that Sharon and before that Barak and so on. There was also Rabin, Peres, etc. Oddly, Syria found it "impossible" to make peace with any of them. Conversely, in Syria there has been only 1 leadership Assad Sr/Assad Jr for the last 40+ years. Perhaps the Syrians should change leadership and see if peace is possible. Never mind - Arab states don't change leaders except by revolution or death/inheritance. Now - any more questions why there is no peace in the ME?