Israel says ready for direct peace talks with Syria

your post was well stated, i just wanted to add that an embassy in damascas would very much be a part of what assad envisions; as well as normalized relations, economic, cultural, and academic exchange, et al. and personally, my opinion is that once assad has normalized relations with the israel AND the united states, he's very likely to cut ties with iran. but before he does that, he's going to hit up the u.s. for a defensive pact. iran's ideology is in direct conflict with his own, and he's already, on different occasions, suggested to both hamas and hezbollah/lebanon that it would behoove them to pursue peace with israel...which in itself is perhaps a hint that he's headed away from iran.

your post was said stated, i just wanted to add that an embassy in damascas would very much be a part of what assad envisions; as well as normalized relations, economic, cultural, and academic exchange, et al. and personally, my opinion is that once assad has normalized relations with the israel AND the united states, he's very likely to cut ties with iran. but before he does that, he's going to hit up the u.s. for a defensive pact. iran's ideology is in direct conflict with his own, and he's already, on different occasions, suggested to both hamas and hezbollah/lebanon that it would behoove them to pursue peace with israel...which in itself is perhaps a hint that he's headed away from iran.

... because syrias alliance with iran & hamas etc.. & syrias returning to the sunni pan arab block is an urgent necessity for the saudis etc.. also syrias relations with iran is taking syria to no where on the international stage. The shiites-sunni problem is far much older than the arabs problem with israel and it is more serious; because of its religious nature. Peace between israel & syria can be a blow to iran statutes in the middle east & can improve the situation in iraq etc.. the U.S. can benefit from syria returning to the sunni-arab block, specially now, than solving the palestinians-israel conflict ! Wether syria can make peace with israel on the terms that israel needs; regarding problems of security etc.. this is another problem !

your post was said stated, i just wanted to add that an embassy in damascas would very much be a part of what assad envisions; as well as normalized relations, economic, cultural, and academic exchange, et al. and personally, my opinion is that once assad has normalized relations with the israel AND the united states, he's very likely to cut ties with iran. but before he does that, he's going to hit up the u.s. for a defensive pact. iran's ideology is in direct conflict with his own, and he's already, on different occasions, suggested to both hamas and hezbollah/lebanon that it would behoove them to pursue peace with israel...which in itself is perhaps a hint that he's headed away from iran.

...funny that.

as long as Syria does not do anything stupid, like Hez or Hamas does, or try to build another reactor. It is ok if the tall geek just runs his mouth occasionally.

Basil, good thoughts: no more arms to either Syria or Israel. Israel has no "high" moral ground here. The excuse for security is the same excuse it gives for occupation and settlements anywhere. It gets tiresome. Americans and other word citizens know what is going on. Sanctions could move the ball.

provided the talks never leave the talks stadium.

"Turkey was a good mediator why did you do that?" - Larry Netanyahu is notorious for his shoot first think later style. He acts upon impulse and personal animosity all the time. He has done so for decades. Netanyahu is in a snit because Turkey opposed Cast Lead, so Turkey is out. As the goal of Turkey was to reduce tensions in the region and between two nations it has peaceful relations with, I doubt Turkey cares that it is 'out' so long as negotiations proceed.

Stephen, today Barak was quoted by Haaretz saying what I attributed to him. The Jerusalem Post quoted Netanyahu saying what I attributed to him. I guess you didn't notice the J Post article. I think it would be wise for many reasons for Israel to wage peace with Syria. The military need for physically controlling the Golan vanished years ago and the IDF understands that. Peace would do much to reduce tensions in the area, isolate Hisbollah and eliminate the need for Syria to back Hisbollah and Hamas as a counterpoise to Israel's military superiority.

Before negociation Mr Assad, israel have to solve the following issues, Iran nukes, Hizbullah rockets, Hamas home made pipe bombs, Shalit release to name a few, once we solve those outstanding problems we will start negociating peace with no preconditions. Good luck

Not to me but to them. Face to Face. It's a new generation of Israelis. Let's go. Everything will open up for you. If you pass this by, you will be with the Iranian Extremists. Nuff Said.

Turkey was a good mediator why did you do that?

Israel has to gain something more from Syria than a piece of paper. Why should Israel cede a militarily strategic position in the Golan without cutting off and disbanding Hizbollah? As far as the Palestinian refugees their place is in a state in the West Bank. I know you pine for a two-state solution, one for Palestinians and one for Palestinians and Israelis, but it ain't happenin.

Jalil, Israel tried to make peace with Syria under two 'logical' governments: Rabin's and Barak's. The problem was the Haffiz Assad refused. The excuse of having a 'illogical' government in Israel runs a bit thin.

Israel does not want to "punish" Turkey. (By the way: that's a weird punishment). Israel does not believe that somebody like Erdogan, who stated that Israel has done more harm than Sudan in Darfur (at least 200,000 killed and millions of refugees) and who stated that he can talk to the Sudan's president - a man convicted by the International Court of Justice, but cannot toalk to Netanyahu, can be a mediator.

Only an open minded government in Israel can run negotiations for peace. Therefore, we need to wait for the next elections. Only gaining time and finding excuses to delay peace in the main target of this argant team that is representing who ever elected them

Turkey, with Erdogan, is out of the question,

This time Mark you are wrong. Israel seeks a peace agreement with Syria. So be it, The high ground of the Golan will be demilitarized, of that you can bet, in fact it will be the same as Sinai. Israel has taken a decision. Forget about the hype of some folks, especially those that are "ad hoc" ministers of no value. Netanyahu,Barak and Ashkenazi will stay the course. This is the first time that Israel is willing to negotiate. It may well be the last time. Good night from snowy Alps.

Sheba Farms, belongs to Syria. Currently held as a Protectorate by Israel. Maybe Hezbollah and Damascus will one day go to war over said farms. Obviously, you will witness said affair with certain trepidation. Sheba Farms is Israels beachhead in a bad and nasty neighborhood. Good night.

Nobody has discounted Turkey. Only you. You only see Turkey through the looking glass of the current media frenzy. It only shows your lack of true understanding in whats considered the current situation in the Middle East. Turkey and Israel have good relations. Period. The past government of PM Olmert has to a certain extent over extended the goodwill. Turkey, has also its past and is presently under certain pressures. Its not a question of trust, its more a question that the Palais de l'Elisée wishes to jockey itself into a prime position of influence of its past colony. Please refrain from comments way beyond your scope. Stick to local affairs. get my drift "dude"!

I think it's curious that the Haaretz correspond Mazal Mualem has a last name a Syrian official had. I forget his name. Perhaps, his family came from Syria at one point. Who knows? I think the idea that Eli Yishai said Israel can't make peace because Syria is allied with Iran is ridiculous. Israel is allied to the US and has the US been so kind to Arabs and Muslims? No, the American Government has done things Arabs don't like, either. Iran gives weapons to Syria and Hezbollah, and the US gives weapons to Israel. If Israel wants Syria to stop helping Hezbollah what is the incentive. Israel should sign an agreement with Syria and give up a demilitarized Golan Heights and the Lebanese Shebaa Farms. I am not sure if that entails having an embassy in Damascus or not, but as long as there is a promise of no warfare. I am afraid Israel might use a peace agreement to corner the Palestinians. Israel still has colonial type ambitions. Israel be straight, honest.

And Netanyahu says another. Barak says Israel is ready for direct talks, Netanyahu says he is willing to let France mediate. Israel is smaller than New Jersey, yet the Prime Minister and Defense Minister do not seem to communicate.

When Turkey invited Khaleed Meshaal, their PM made the unfortunate declaration in Davos, exluded Isarel from teh pre scheduled NATO excercise, defended Ahmedinejad's nuclear ambitions by relating it to Israel's so called nuclear capabilities she became part of the conflict, no longer a neutral peace maker. Peace between Israel and Egypt / Jordan were achieved when Anwar Sadat / King Hussein showed the courage to visit Israel. If Mr. Assad is serious about peace he can do the same.

USA and Canada can talk to each other just fine without an intermediate. So can Iceland and Scotland. The reason why Arab states always need an intermediate with Israel is to provide a witness that they did not agree on anything of value to Israel. If they did, the Arab League would promptly take them to the woodshed. The intermediate will always have to be another Arab state.

By asking for talks but eliminating Turkey, Israel is in effect asking for a new system. That is almost a major precondition - so in practical terms, Israel wants talks but not so seriously. Just another Netanyahu gimmick to pretend he wants peace, while all he really wants is to wait for 2012 and hope for a republican win. Just 3 more years to go. If he can starve Obama for another year, he has a good chance of proving Obama incompetent.

It is all a matter of what you can give me in exchange for what I can do for you. Lets get on with it and start the negotiations. They will be long and tough. However, it is better to negotiate than to fight each other.

Assad has been sending feelers to Israel, but he also has been doing the same with al-Qaeda and Bathists. So what is going on here? The Syrian/Iranian alliance is breaking down. It is Iran who now influences Hezbollah and is the major foreign influence in Lebanon. This obviously is making the Syrians nervous, so they have been trying to establish ties with as many enemies of Iran as possible. This may be an opportunity in dealing with Syria. But remember, Assad is nothing more than a cheap dictator looking out for his own interests. Maybe he can be dealt with, but he can never be trusted.

real. Yes Yosemite, you have hit the nail on the head. Iran has nothing to offer Syrian society. Whilst western educated Pres.Assad has a far different approach than his late father, he also is somewhat of a computer buff,is well aware that Israel has not only the technical expertise but now has decided that peace has a true meaning. The problem is believing. Believing the real intentions of Netanyahu,Barak and Ashkenazi. A demilitarized Golan is quite possible. Then again, here comes the grim reaper, that is Iran. The question is, how far has Syria compromised itself with Tehran, its proxies and a host of other elements bent on all out war with the Jewish State. Syria has always maintained a strict and secular regime. Elections have never been necessary, since its a dynasty not unlike modern day Egypt or other Sunni States. If, or should Syria break the rules and enter direct negotiations with Israel, one can without a doubt be sure that the Alawite Dynasty will become a target.

...as Turkey already knows the real issues. Assad should tell Bibi to bite it.

Who really speaks on behalf / in the name of Israel?s government? Here be face Defense Minister Ehud Barak will / intention for talks will Syria at the same time we are inform of Minister of Interior Eli Yishia doughts / restrain concerning such talk. We don?t being informed of Foreign Ministers Avigdor Liberman?s official position and in addition we hear about conditional / unconditional talks by Prime Minister Bibi Netanyahu Does Israel?s Cabinet has an agreed position beyond those personal reactions of different Ministers?

Manufactured water from desalinated ocean water, atmosphere, or cloud seeding. If Israel has some technology that Syria needs, that may be the key. Everybody needs food. Everybody needs water. Basically, you find something they need whether it is physiological or biological and you become the source. You know hatred is symbiotic. Other things are symbiotic also. What do both Israel and Syria require in order to function? What would be a functional symbiotic relationship that would not include hatred or violence? Jordan and Israel have some functional things like that going on. Iran is providing something to Syria. What is it? It must be a function or Syria would reject it. Iran isn't functioning optimally right now. Syria must want stability. How can Israel help? Keep talking.

... non-starter peace talks with Syria... the sine qua non is that Israel remain in protective-mode on the Golan... not belligerent-mode, chas-ve-chalila... the Syrians, our brothers, will understand this... he will give them discount shares in his own family buisness enterprises... unprecedented move towards peace...

The recipe for peace with Syria is wel known: 1-Withdraw from ALL occupied terroteries (return to 4/6/67 borders(. 2- Resolve the Palestinian Refujees 3- Estaplish Palestinian state Who in Isrel can pay the price for PEACE ????