Report: Netanyahu ready to discuss Golan pullout

the "propaganda" itself is actually very calculating and well done; after all, unless they pursue the truth about what really went on in 1948, most people completely fall for israel's "version" of the events that took place. and you'll have to excuse me, but i don't see what israel's size has to do with anything...unless perhaps you're suggesting that because of its size, it should be given "carte blanche" to do as it pleases? and finally, if you want to get to know me, and THEN accuse me of "jew-hate", that's fine; but until that time, you don't know me well enough to rightfully do so. have a nice day.

and if it is, what's bibi up to? i'm sure i'm not the only one who doesn't buy this at face value.

bibi is jumping over the American barriers by claiming he is willing to talk to Syria on the basis of returning the Golan. a lie..pure lie, this is nothing more then a maneuver to silence the obama admin. and then when obama backs off with his demands on bibi, then bibi will huff and puff and blow Assad away...

Netanyahu has already stated he is prepared to enter negotiations without preconditions. An alternative view is that with a comprehensive agreement with the Syrians vis a vis water rights and say The Golan being under Syrian control but demilitarised for example. Syria will no longer feel the need to be aligned with Iran and helping to arm Hezbollah and HAMAS particularly as part of the carrot could be the normalisation of ties between Syria and the West, and even a pipeline through Syria from Iraq bypassing Russia and allowing for energy independence from Russia for Europe. The scenarios are endless if we apply what ifs, but the real question is will Netanyahu withdraw from the Golan? And if Netanyahu does agree to withdraw from the Golan will his coalition government survive long enough to put in place any agreements made?

Item by Item: Syria must recognize Israel as a Jewish state, anything less will not end the demand of right (wrong of return) of return of Arabs to the Jewish state. Sadat came to the Jewish people, Assad will have to do the same. UNIFIL can stay in Lebanon, but Hezbollah that has been sponsored by Syria and Iran will have to be disarmed. Anything less than the items listed are in itself a non starter. Israel can not give up the strategic high ground to Assad who is aligned with Iran, Hezbollah, Hamas without realignment-can't be done. If Assad wants Syria to be recognized as an Alawite state, so be it.

I have a bridge in London for sale

When you think of the size of Israel compared to that of the Arab world or even "just" to New Mexico, it becomes clear that your bias against Israel comes from a dark, tiny little niche indeed. Really no excuse at all for that, writing from a very big sunny state in a giant nation. Funny, how good ol' Jew-hate warps the sense of proportion right out the window.

for the mindless repetition of worn out propaganda that it IS. BOTH the arabs and the zionists rejected the u.n. partition, and the arab advance only gave the zionists justification for something they were poised to do ALREADY. try expanding your knowledge of history "beyond" what you have been hand fed and widening your world perspective beyond the tiny little niche in which you dwell.

My dear friend, you seem off track once again, by implying that the Arabs are the party not asking for peace. You also imply that peace would be available for the asking from the Israel. In 2002, seven years ago the Arab League set forth a Proposal for peace with Israel. There was a one day conference in Annapolis, Maryland with 17 Arab countries represented and Livni and Olmert present. Why can't the current government pick up where the last one left off. This Arab proposal is a great starting point for peace talks--but It's Israel that doesn't want to move it forward.

If the settlers want to remain, they should be given Syrian citizenship, but no more settlers are to come and settle. Or, they should just leave gradually. It's illegal to build settlements. Someone should have told them that. I don't believe Netanyahu will make peace or remove the settlements of the Golan Heights. It's highly doubtful. It's possible, but who would believe that.

thus, according to your list of demands, setting up preconditions that would make starting negotions impossible in the first place. Probably wwhat netanyahu has in mind when he employs his characteristic deceit in saying one thing and meaning another. Syria is under no obligattion to recognise Israel as a Jewish state anymore than Israel is obligated to recognise Syria as an Alawite state. Any discussions of Hizbollah should occur between Israel and Lebanon. Those should result in a reconfirmation of the UNFIL presence in southern Lebanon. Sadat spoke to the Israeli people as a former enemy. He did not address the Jewish People. Instead of all this deceit, Ron, just admit what your real intention is and that is not an inch of movement on the Golan.

Paris with Sarkozi is the best place to meet. Israel, Syria and the ME have much to gain from peace.Yalla go for it!!!

Since the early to mid-1990s, James Baker, papa Bush's Sec of State, successfully engaged Israel in talks that last nine years, much was accomplished. Problems with Hamas and Hezbollah would be reduced if not disappear; leverage with Iran will increase. When an Arab country wants to become moderate, every other coutnry should try to make it happen. The Golan needs a creative solution--maybe an Inational Park of some sort.

Syria must break off relations with Iran until Iran has relations with Israel, disarm Hizbollah (a return of all weapons to a 3rd party) recognize israel's water rights and recognize Israel as a Jewish state. Assad must come to Israel and speak directly to the Jewish people as Sadat did.

Israel will never give up the Golan. This is yet another stall tactic in order to avoid a peace process with the PALS and to divert attention from it and the settlements.

Usually, the French top the list of their objects of scorn and hatred. Guess they'll have to soften their propaganda a bit now that netanyahu got a handshake.

At least in Paris he got more than he did in Washington. I mean, a handshake, st least, is something. First, we have an announcement, not from any Israeli source, that he is willing to discuss Golan. Then his office denies it. Then we get no press conference but a handshake (with or without a smile?) This is a ploy, a distraction, throwing some fat to the media, get them distracted so Palestine is off the burner. Remember too that Begin agreed to give up all of Sinai only in order to entrench Israel's expansionism and occupation in the WB, which is the heart of the matteer. Could be repeat here, concessions made on Golan, no further in Judea and Samaria which are apaprt of Eretz Yisrael and all of Jerusaelm its capital.

Attempting to make peace with Muslims/Arabs may be impossible if this is true: "Sadly, there cannot be a moderate Islam, because there are many verses in the Quran (Koran) that say that the Muslims must make war against all non believers, until they convert to Islam (Quran, 4:76, 4:89 and 9:123), and that the Muslims must kill all non believers anywhere they find them, until they convert to Islam (Quran, 2:191-192), and there is a verse in the Quran that says that the Muslims must kill all idolaters anywhere they find them (Quran, 9:5), and there is a verse in the Quran that say that the Christians and the Jews are idolaters (Quran 9:30-31), so that the violence and the terrorism are inherent to Islam, because they are in its sacred book." Where do we go from here?

If what you say about Bibi is right,then he must be very popular in the US. Afterall you've elected a president that is the master of talks with no action or follow-through 10 months and Gitmo is still open,no health care more troops to Afghanistan?no,yes,maybe,that what your president is good for.

BJ: "That the pre-conditions were Syria`s insisting on withdrawal before negotiations were to take place" No, Syria insisted that the negotiations would be ABOUT the IDF withdrawal from the Golan, and not about "who should own the Golan".

There's Bibi desperately trying to show his western friends that he's interested in peace, and just after he's launched his little fake scheme, one of his cabinet mninisters torpedoes it by saying 'yes Israel will talk to Syria, but not about withdrawing from the Golan'! What else would they talk about?!!!! The weather, the price of oranges, Bibi's bald patch? Bibi's Israel doesn't want peace, and can't even convincingly put on the apperance of wanting peace.

That the pre-conditions were Syria's insisting on withdrawal before negotiations were to take place In other words, Syria demanded advance concessions without agreeing to make any of her own Since Johnboy has never been to the Golan or anyplace near where the problems are, he fails to realize that Syria used the Golan as a jumping off point for several Arab iniaited wars Johnboy is merely a bystander, never a participant, sitting in the stands, never having been on the field with the players Kibbitzers are a dime and dozen, Johnboy's kinds are worthless

In 1948, arabs allied to destroy the Jewish state of Israel. They failed, repeatedly.( no 'land grab', no 'theft' just the League of Nations returning Jews to their "Homeland for The Jewsih People." There has never been a 'land grab' except by a non recognized terrorist groups all of whom are not Jews. If the enemies of Israel wanted to make peace, they've had 61 years to do so. The Pals better wake up and smell the coffee. Their BS isn't believed by anyone and Israel can crush them like a bug. It's up to the Pals to act as adults w/ half a brain at least, reject the 'leaders' who get you killed. Make peace w/ Israel or, know more of the same only worse.

... how much benefit peace with Syria can help to solve the Israeli-Palestinian problem ? Will Assad stop his alliance with Iran and break relations with Mashal & all other terrorists organizations; specially Huzballah etc.. and what are the guarantees that Syria will give Israel not to use the Golan as a lunching pad against Israel. Syria is a neighbor, Peace with neighbors is always useful. Netanyahu wants a real Peace and not the Peace that is wanted by the terrorists organization, Hamas etc.. Any Peace with real security can be welcomed !

All the arabs have to do is wait out the occupation.Dont rush to a peace deal, time is on thier side. Thier populations are growing exponentially, thier armies are getting stronger and may be to top it all there could be an arab nuke. Isreal has to call in any one who claims to be a jew, the jewsish population can not keep up.

Time to buy some more time by screwing around with Syria. Having no intention of making peace with the Palestinians our "leader" now seeks to waste time with the Syrians. Perhaps the idea is to get Obama off his back for a little bit.

dino uses the "world" in juxtaposition to israel. he tries to make the case that israel does not belong in his perfect, otherworldly world. he accuses israeli politicians of not understanding the world. of couse, he tells us not, which world he references. then, of course, he has the nerve to tell us that israel is responsible not onlyfor her safety, but for also the safety of all jews everywhere. he counts on us to curb the antisemites.

With you, reason prevails. Unfortunately reason doesn't grow wild in the Middle East and no-one here has yet researched its cultivation, more's the pity. Thanks for the idea though. In our reality, discussing arm amputations for treating duodenal ulcers has become the time-honored method for holding on to what we've got and damn the consequences.

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I think it would be wrong for Israel to make a peace deal with Syria before resolving the Palestinian issue. You don't cure an ulcer by amputating your arm.First solve the domestic issue, and make a decision on Jerusalem and then shake hand with the Alaouite dictator giving him the Golan back (and getting simultaneously an agreement with Lebanon).

The non-freezing is just a symbolic declaration that the Likud cannot, and will not, quit even a millimeter of the West Bank. On the contrary... This trip actually demonstrates the above. The Palestinians are not any better either! They cannot and do not intend to negotiate anything. The maximum requirements are their minimum position (just consider Hamas).

"resistance is the essence of our policy in the past and in the future." assad sums up his entire diplomatic philosophy in that one phrase.

Netanyahu has not the slightest intention of withdrawing from the Golan. What he wants is the appearance of peace talks to lessen criticism of him from the West. Abbas quite rightly won't play his game of fake peace talks, so he's now hoping Assad will. Or if Assad won't then Bibi can cry crocodile tears and wail 'Israel would looooove to make peace, but we have no peace partner. woe is me etc.' It's the game Israel's been playing for years and Bibi is an expert at it.

10 years ago Syria would have been happy to get back the Golan. But at this point they will demand major concessions. But what?

... provided it remains at the discussion stage... indefinitely... ... it's the art-of-the-infinite...

"Resistance is the essence of our policy in the past and in future. We have no conditions to achieve peace but rather rights and we will not abandon them," Assad said in a speech opening the 5th Conference of the Arab Parties titled "The Independent Arab Decision." That is no preconditions? My god.

just talk and get to an agreement. we can share the golan heights, doesnt matter, druze, jews, sunnis, shias, christians, whoever wants to live there should be allowed to live there...whether they are syrians, israeilis or whatever...just make peace

....of (right-wing and part of mainstream) Israel, where the only purpose of "talks" seems to be to stall and deceive. Do your politicians really believe "the world" doesn't get it...??? Can't you really understand what image you give to the Jewish people and the Jewish religion around the world...??? Israel, sorry to remind you, but you are and you remain (as long as you exist) THE representative of the Jewish people/ religion in this world....

Netanyahu can talk as much as he wants, but withdrawal from the Golan is not what Israel needs on the contrary: the stability of the future of the Golan is paramount.

are chosen to lead it. it takes no great stretch of the imagination to realize that as long as israel refuses to relinquish those things that continue stoking the antagonism of its neighbors, that antagonism will not only continue, but is also justified. one would think, that in the face of universal condemnation of its occupations, israel would be more inclined to consider its long term security and future prosperity, than it apparently does. israel is faced with some very serious choices in a rapidly changing world that is increasingly aware and less susceptible to the misinformation and deception that israel has relied upon in the past. yet the collective mentality of the israeli leadership remains tucked away in the past and appears unable to fathom the implications that are inherent within today's world view...because the choices being made by israel are all the wrong ones. i certainly do NOT savor the idea of israel's demise, but i can't help but venture the thought that if things continue as they are; its eventuality is almost inevitable. and the irony of it will be that its demise will be brought by the same zionist zealotry that gave it birth.

now do you understand how right we are kouchner?, i think you know your on your way out, hence the backflip.

The same old song, build settlements as we go into negotiation for peace. It is not going to work this tim because it's an insult to the world intellgence. Bibi, you are out if you could not deliver a two state solution. You want to fight another battle...go for it.

Bibi has said Israel will never relinquish the stolen Golan

iam sick of talks just get every thing in the open and no moor waist of time. or you think people are stupid.

Israel occupies other people's lands, refuses to leave (in the case of the WB even refuse to stop building on occupied land let alone leave !) and continues to say we are ready for negotiations as long as there are no preconditions. Thank you Bibi for being so generous... No wonder there will never be peace between you and your neighbors. Netanyahu's lying ways need to stop and there are only two entities that can do this: 1. The people of Israel ....unfortunately it seems they have lost any interest in telling their leaders they want real peace, are brainwashed into the "Bibi" mindset, don't care, or would rather steal more land than have peace. 2. The US. Only the US can change this sick pattern by putting its money where its mouth is and letting Israel know, in no uncertain terms, that this has to stop. Will the Jewish lobby allow that? that is the $64 million question, but time is not on the side of Israel.

that's why the whole world has enough of him. He talks empty talk about talk, talks about peace but does not want to take one step himself. He is no leader, he will be remembered as the guy who cost Israel many years and lots of opportunities. He is not courageous, he lacks vision, he is stuck in the mud of his attempt to stall the process. Who voted that sucker in? Right: the electorate. Well, don't come knock on my door when you need my support!

peace, peace, in our time - peace with honour - Bibi and Sarkey bring peace, lovely, isn't this wonderful?

WHy is it that Israel is setting up their preconditions. Yes, them saying no precondition is a precondition. What gives them the right to even say this.

...ANYTHING under the sun, except the Golan... ...aren't there enough unprecedented preconditions in today's world...?

I'm dying to see what deal he is proposing to the Arab Republic of Syria... Let me guess: Peace + the recognition of Israel's annexation of the Golan? And believe me... that deal is generous according to Likud!

"Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Wednesday that Israel would be prepared to hold immediate peace negotiations with Syria, as long as the talks were held without preconditions." The term "without preconditions" is simply a code word for "I wish to dump all of Israel's prior agreements and understandings". Be certain what it really means: Netanyahu wants to be free to offer goods for sale that have already been sold to either Syria or the USA by previous Israeli govts. And he'll want to extract NEW goods from Syria or the USA in exchange for every one of those tatty 2nd-hand goods he offers up for sale for a 2nd (or is that 3rd?) time. Bibi wants to keep selling the same goods, over and over and over again. That's not diplomacy. That's a con-trick.

that when you hold/steal (another debate altogether!) all the other persons cards that it's so easy to state that you're willing to enter negotiations without any preconditions. I wonder when Israel will stop trying to clear it's side of the table when it comes negotiating peace? You have to give a little to gain anything back. entering negotations without the legitimate preconditions that Syria has is just another excuse for wasting time.

My BDS (Bullshit Detection System) has kicked in again. Netanyahu is clearly running scared and lacks clout. Scurrying around to make it look like he is in control. Which he is not. Lamentable. Get someone in who resembles a statesman with a genuine and sincere desire for peace not just a chancer and previously failed PM like Netanyahu.

Once Netanyahu became P.M. peace became a mirage all talk with no action or follow-through. The French as most Americans do not trust this Guy, he is full of talk and no action whatsoever. He should declare a political bankrupcy.

"We have no conditions to achieve peace but rather rights and we will not abandon them" This language is crafted very well to allow Assad to enter bargaining and gain some positive light on the world stage, while at the same time enabling him to blame any failure on Israeli intransience with regards to the Golan/Kinneret.

How come you don't understand? And after Golan, the Wall, East Jerusalem and the Right of Return,the cries of, "Victim" by israel will fade into oblivion. And THEN there will be War. From within Israel and from without. As for us Jews in the Diaspora? Plastic surgery wasn't around last time they called us out. OK That's how many Jews feel. What can you DO to allay our fears. This is what it's all about.

The psycho-right in Bibi's cabinet have his hands tied behind his back. He can't make any concessions or his government falls. Bibi is happy to talk to Syria but does anybody, anywhere in the world seriously believe that Bibi is about to give up an inch of the Golan?

If he stays in Paris for 48 hours, he can then arrange to meet with Assad, who will be in town. The two of them can have a face-to-face greeting, which would go a long way to starting things off towards a reconciliation. This stuff is so basic, it amazes me when these leaders do everything to avoid meeting.

Arab States like to have a One Party system - eg Baath of Assad , Mubarak Party,Khadaffi Party etc . So Pals can all vote for Likud or Liebermans Party. If one party system is accepted by Obama as being OK for Syria, Egypt,Libya then it should be OK for Pals

I would have never thought that France would be better friends with Israel then the states... But after seeing how the two heads of state dealt with Netanyahu, it is clear who is Israels friend.