Peace not wanted

lol the 6 day war, the lies isrl puts out r so outrageous. no one who has studied the 6 day war believes isrl story. u should ask some serious questions instead of assuming that what your gov't tells u is truth. they will keep u in the dark as long as their masters tell them too. u should wake up dude, u r being fooled.

Ignorance is truly bliss,and barry from NYC has proven it. he thinks the news like fox and cnn tell the truth. lol he refuses to ask the arabs why they fightand if he did he didn't listen to the answer. he will assume his gov't is tellign him the truth. do not let others do your thinking try and use some of your own brainpower to get some answers.

i hate to tell you this, but Syria did try to talk to isrl but to no avail. even when they tried a debate isrl refused them. the same with the US, when saddam wanted to talk in a debate the US said no, even with the Iranians the US said no. because they know if it got published and i mean every word not some clips from this line or that line and every word and translated exactly word for word, that the US would lose and lose face, in the world. empire building is hard work and it takes years. u should take head to this fact, becasue u r being used ust like everyone else on this planet.

ROBERT B. SILVERS: ... Under what conditions, if any, can violent a action be said to be "legitimate"? ... Lethargically replies Noam Chomsky: My general feeling is that this kind of question can't be answered in a meaningful way when it's abstracted from the context of particular historical concrete circumstances. What was abstract about it you dummy(I say)? And he goes on? Any rational person would agree that violence is not legitimate unless the consequences of such action are to eliminate a still greater evil. (bloody fool of course it was to eliminate a greater evil). Otherwise Americans would now be speaking Japanese. And after that much got the gist of it, and left in disgust at his pronouncements. These pseudo academics are such a pain in the derriere trying to be so intellectual boring us to death (if we let them). And after that he is tripping, tripping on his words lackadaisically trying to either justify it, or cannot be certain. Then says he? One can easily imagine and find circumstances in which violence does eliminate a greater evil. As to the first, it's a kind of irreducible moral judgment that one should not resort to violence even if it would eliminate a greater evil. And these judgments are very hard to argue. I can only say that to me it seems like an immoral judgment. Fine you damn irreducible dingbat,if someone is trying to kill you,what will you do? Just let him cut your throat and kill you with no action by you to try and prevent/defend your self? No wonder the world is in such a mess dealing with the likes of Chomsky & ilk. And we get Finkelstein saying lackadaisically in a deadpan face:That 6 million Jews murdered was an exaggeration No muscle movement just like a ?tailors dummy? body language stiff as board, stiff muscles dead duck as duck. Amazing to witness. Here come people lauding these lot with their ignorant comments they swallowing what they read and take it all seriously.

I am a Syrian man who lived all my life in Damascus. I know for fact that almost all Syrians want to end this disbute, get the Golan hights and establish peace. I truely beleive that we in this corner of the world would ive much happier life if there is peace and economic ties between us and Israel. People on both side of this conflict are feed up with wars. imagine if all the money spent on wars are spent on education and health system. imagine if we could exchange goods and expertise. imagine if Isreali are able to trade with Syrian farmers, or Damascians are able to sell their goods to Isrealis. Peace will come with a price that everyside has to accept. Isreal withdrawal will lead to full political and economic ties with Syria. and Syria in return will make sure that borders are secured. let's have peace and lets end blood shed in this area...

I agree with you

Syria wants to destroy Israel.That is reality. Everything else they say is a smoke screen, which a few like Levy may fall for. They were trying this before Israel captured the Golan when they were shooting at the farmers in the area of the Kinneret and later went to war. The Golan has now been part of Israel for longer than it was part of Syria. It shall stay that way in spite of the Syrians and Gordon Levity.

What exactly is so ludicrous about it?

His qualifications to make political assesments being?

CJ how Israelis citizens jeopardy by l your current statement and past talkback, "If the Golan was important for security, why has Israel illegally settled it with Israeli CIVILIANS? If it was for security they WOULD NOT have civilians there. They`re duping Jewish folk they have endangered by putting them there and charged them for it what`s more." CJ post 69 why are civilians in danger unless, IDF is fighting plain clothed and from inside CV area? why would these civilians be indanger? Especially coming from you who has often espoused that un armed clothed civilians are protected. Unless Noble Syria isn't so noble and how would noble CJ miss that point... unless

CJ how Israelis citizens jeopardy by l your current statement and past talkback, "If the Golan was important for security, why has Israel illegally settled it with Israeli CIVILIANS? If it was for security they WOULD NOT have civilians there. They`re duping Jewish folk they have endangered by putting them there and charged them for it what`s more." CJ post 69 why are civilians in danger unless, IDF is fighting plain clothed and from inside CV area? why would these civilians be indanger? Especially coming from you who has often espoused that un armed clothed civilians are protected. Unless Noble Syria isn't so noble and how would noble CJ miss that point... unless

What you remember has no bearing on the law. The Golan is Sovereign Syrian territory. If it was Turkey or Iran or Iraq or the US or Russia or China trying it on, the Golan is STILL Sovereign Syrian territory. Now if the Golan is so important a defensive position, why oh why has Israel ILLEGALLY settled so many Israeli CIVILIANS there? Mmmm?

Should peace break out the current political class would be floundering. They have needed an enemy without to manipulate the people within. Unfortunately the collateral damage is apparent in the minds of Israelis. It was not as evident in the 1950's when Israel was a positive presence. An approach to all imagined enemies could reveal startling results. Best peace is made with other nations before Egypt frees it's self from it's dictator.

The constant refrain of the Israeli left is that "If only Israel would (fill in the blank), there is no question that (fill in the name of an Arab neighbor) would immediately embark reciprocate abd move toward a peaceful bilateral relationship". The fact is that Syria is not now and never has been interested in any kind of normalization with Israel, simply because there is no advantage to it. Peace with Israel would eliminate its influence with Hamas and Hezbollah and destroy its beneficial relationship with Iran, thus relegating it to the position of a minor player on the Mideast stage with little or no leverage and even less influence (not to mention that it would result in the end of its long held dreams of a 'Greater Syria'). The bottom line is that, short of a willingness by Israel to annex itself to Syria, there is no practical reason why the Assad government would be willing to give up all the advantagers inherent in NOT negotiating a peace treaty with the Jewish stat

How does one build an Empire with peace? Never Never Never speak of borders is the true motto of expansionist Israel!......PEACE NEVER?

1967 war... followed by the 1973 war... followed by Syria's ongoing support of terrorist groups. Tell the Assad's next time to push for peace. This is most certainly an issue of the Souk. If Syria wants its wars, then its going to bear the cost in the form of the Golan. If it really wants the Golan, then the cost is going to come in the form of real peace with Israel. As my old economics professor said: "No Free Lunch".

I dare say purposefully. The Golan is Sovereign Syrian territory. Israel has no right to bargain with it.

Every single Israeli government, including Netanyahu's previous run, negotiated with Syria. Rabin, Peres, Sharon, Barak, Netanyahu, Olmert. Every single one, Labor, Likud, Kadima, all of the above. Back door smoke-filled room discussions for sure, but all of the above met with Bashir Assad to try to bring a resolution to the war footing between Israel and Syria. And Gideon Levy is now trying to make the claim that Israel doesn't want peace? The problem with Gideon's claim that All Israel needs to do is state "We undertake in advance - yes, in advance - to hand back the entire Golan in exchange for a full peace." The problem here is that the full 'peace' offered by Bashir Assad is no where near what Israel demands for the exchange of the Golan. When Gideon and the other commentators on the Left can provide some honest answers on just what this 'real peace' with Syria will entail, then, we can have a discussion about what Israel is or is not doing.

Jasper says "Arabs cannot make peace as is understood in the rest of the world..". I wonder how he would describe the peace treaties Egypt and Jordan signed with Israel. Blind bias will keep you blind.

"cj are you basing your assertions on the french mandate for syria?" No. Why would anyone? Syria was recognized an independent Sovereign Republic in 1944. BEFORE Israel was Declared. I don't believe that status has changed. The French finally left in 1946. They had nothing to do with Syria in 1948.

It would be nice if texts like these contain a bit more substance. Some facts to substantiate the claims. Now it is just a (very) plausible paradigm.

So, if Mr. Levy is an"anti-Israeli hater" does that mean he is pro-Israeli? Intelligent people don't try to see what they WANT to see, but search for the truth. Pretend you are intelligent and consider the other side of this arguement, maybe you will see the truth. I don't hate Israel or Jews. Many people who live in Israel see the truth,and Mr. Levy is one of them. "First take the beam out of your own eye, then help your BROTHER with his splinter!" Don't be afraid of the truth, even if you don't like what you hear.

Peace with Syria?like the one they have with Lebanon?,or Iraq?Like the one Egypt have with Lybia?or Sudan?.Like the one the Gulf states have with Iran.Like the one between Hamas and the PLO?.Peace in Arabic is the name of a town in outer Mongolia.There is no such a thing in the Muslim world.From the time of the prophet they haven't had one day of peace in the Muslim's world!!!

barely deserves a response . When something is so clearly turned on its head , like this article is , there are little to talk about . The writer of this article must be suffering from amnesia .

If this is what Levy thinks , then let him think forever , as he does with all of his thinking's . Not a single Arab regime , out of good will and not out of weakness , wants peace so far . Egypt's and Jordan's dictators understood the heavy hand of Israel in case of mischief . The rest , like Syria , do not care but keeps low . But excepting Israel on the map of ME none of them did it so far , territory or not territory . But Levy's narrow-sightedness will only focus on Israel anyway without asking any reciprocity from Arabs his dream angels .

But this Israel government is not prepared to give up the Golan. They expect Syria to understand that and to want to abandon hope of getting the Golan back, in exchange for the glittering prize of guaranteed non-belligerence. Is that not concession enough? Including no overflights of Lebanon, Bashar, as long as you keep things quiet and Iranfrei, honest! This Israeli government is not prepared to give up the West Bank and East Jerusalem for peace, but hopes that through indirect negotiations, the Palestinians will content themselves with a few towns and villages beyond the "security fence" and preferably separated from each other by it too, that they will be allowed to call chopped Palestine salad. Your own armed police force, passports, everything. Only you'll have to cross the Israeli-held Jordan Valley to get out of that Palestine via the east, and to enter Israel to get out via the west as well. Don't forget to apply for your visas three weeks in advance for security clearance.

levy's thesis is that israel doesn't truly want peace with syria, or it would encourage what may be positive signs from syria and try to close the peace deal. levy asks why israel assumes the worst about syria--such as assad's declarations of solidarity with hezbollah and iran--rather than assuming the best and going for it. but, i turn the question back on levy--not to attack him, but to test the assumption that syria is itself truly interested in peace, rather than merely increasing its power and position regarding both israel and lebanon. thus, i ask, what is levy's evidence that syria is actually FOR peace--long term and meaningful--rather than an armistice during which in maneuvers for advantage? i can be convinced; i am sure many others can, as well. so, i look forward to mr. levy's evidence. keevan d. morgan, chica

1. The Golan belongs to Syria by international law, so as long as Israel occupies it there is motivation for the Syrians to go to war. They will not succeed, as Sadat failed militarily, but won his Sinai back anyway. Why go through a war to do the obvious? 2. Peace with Syria means also peace with Lebanon, as Asad has achnowledged. 3. Hizballah will be cut off from its arms supplier Iran. Israel controls the sea approaches, has good intelligence, and can stop such arms shipments. 4. Iran will be weakened by losing its northern arm. Hizballah now deploys missiles as an implied threat to Israel if it attacks Iran. 5. Hamas will be weakened. Mashal will be kicked out of Syria, and also no arms to reach Hamas from Lebanon. 6. The Palestinian position in general will be weakened, being last in the peace line with no real state support. They will be easier to deal with. 7. Netanyahu can deliver this peace. He can`t make peace with the Palestinians: Likud is too ideological.

Likud has a very hard time giving up any piece of land they grab. (The peace with Egypt was done in the wake of a trauma, the Yom Kippur War.) In the first Lebanon war (1982), which gave rise to the creation of Hizballah, and despite endless attacks on IDF in Lebanon, the Likud government did not budge until Peres (Labor) became PM and moved the forces out (1987) except for a narrow "security strip". Then there were growing attacks, but Likud did not move out until Barak (Labor) became PM and retreated to the international border (2000). The Golan annexation to Israel occurred in 1981, 14 years after the 6-day war. Before that the Golan was negotiable for peace. Begin had a brain-event. Begin's legacy is not only the peace with Egypt but also the war to come with Syria and its allies, after which the Golan will be returned to its internationally recognized owners.

You're wrong. With weapons available to IDF at present Damaskus could be destroyed in ten minutes. Golan only pawn in negotiations.

the U.S.A pays to Egypt and Jordan an annual fee for keeping their peace with Israel. How long do you think their "peace" will last, if the regular checks from the U.S.A stop coming? I call such "peace" false. Such "peace" is immoral and an insult to common sense. Such "peace" reminds me of the "protection money" the Sicilian mafia demanded for not destroying its enemies* stores or killing those "not under its graces" in the U.S. in the 30s. I do not wish for a mafia-like "peace" for Israel. I find such "peace" appalling! Don*t you?

cj are you basing your assertions on the french mandate for syria? if so why do you differentiate in the case of israel . if you are right than lebanon is not legally an independent sovereign country ?

You forgot to mention the peace deals with Egypt and Jordan which did bring about peace and relations between the countries. Also, keep in mind that the term 'Peace' in the Right-wing mentality means peace for your side, not the other side. Because occupation of the WB is not in any way, shape or form peaceful for Pals. That being said, does the occupation really maintain peace for Israel? And as for Gaza, yeah Israel pulled out but it only barricaded the population and restricts any kind of dignified life to go on. In addition to a simultaneous announcement of the 'convergence' plan which steals more land from the Pals and disintegrates the WB even more. If Syria accepts a peace deal and gets the Golan back, they will be obliged under int'l law to keep the peace there as Jordan and Egypt have throughout the years. Otherwise it will give Israel the moral highground (for a change). So why dont you and your misguided righty friends re-assess your definition of peace and stability

nor with any Israel*s neighbors, for I do not want peace that stands on clay feet. Is this kind of an opinion a problem to you?

regularly. Same w/ muslims, Shia vs. Sunni. Love the 'peaceful' religion that ends in premature death for it's true believers. Honor killings, assassinations, SOP, AKA known as terrorists delight. More deaths due to muslim on muslim violence than any other cause on earth. Hopefully, w/ the escalation, they'll eliminate more of them than they breed.

Bits that never belonged to Syria Did you miss that part about the demand for areas that never belonged to Syria? just like you missed Hezb was firing from right next to the UN base in Lebanon or Hamas was firing next to the UN. School? Next you are going to tell us you did not know how Syria torture murdered Israeli POWs or has been using Lebanon to do it's dirty work against Israel Poor little innocents

..with Israel. For GL, there is ONLY one party to BLAME...yawnnnn

FACTS such as : - all OF HISTORICAL Palestine Mandate was DESIGNATED as a JEWISH national HOMELAND - the palis CLEARLY state in an OFFICIAL document that WB and Gaza are NOT their lands - CJ is STILL unable to PROVIDE any IRREFUTABLE that a LEGALLY recognised "people of Palestine" EXISTED Just KEEP the head BURIED in the sand..sshhhhh

Feel FREE to CLEARLY state the MAJOR HISTORICAL details of this "people of Palestine".

This is partially due to the fact that neither US nor Israel has the stamina to initiate a full-scale attack against Iran. To decrease Iranian radius of influence, Israel will very probably attack and invade Syria (and of course Lebanon) during the next 5 years or so. The military capability is there but human resources are not there. If Obama loses the next election, US, not Israel will probably do the job and invade Lebanon and Syria, this is very very probable. Israel does not have the monetary and human resources to maintain a long-term Lebanon-Syria invasion unless the initial attack is super-destructive. And Turkey ? Under AKP Turkey will protest only to Israeli attacks against Palestinians, the rest will be laissez faire. Ask Bar'el about it :)

Lets say that Israel signs a peace treaty with Syria tomorrow,they leave the Golan Heights. Whats to stop Hezballah from entering the Golan? Can Israel trust Syria to block Hezballah and its allies from starting trouble in the Golan? I doubt it. Can you give a guarantee on this problem?

Get it through your head once and for all. It is inadmissible to acquire territory by war. If Israel wants peace, it's easy. It should go home for once in 62 years. It's SO obvious only those blinded by religious and zionist BS can't see it. They don't dare, their silly little land grubbing world would come crashing down. That they hide behind being Jewish is an insult to all decent Jewish people. If the Golan was important for security, why has Israel illegally settled it with Israeli CIVILIANS? If it was for security they WOULD NOT have civilians there. They're duping Jewish folk they have endangered by putting them there and charged them for it what's more.

going to discuss?Assad " Bibi I hear Gideon says you do not want peace,go home"? Or if a meeting goes ahead substantial issues will already be dealt with beforehand,Netanyahu knows that and has announced elsewhere he does not see the future in occupation while Assad says he is prepared for a slow withdrawal. It could well end up as a lease with the Syrian flag flying over Golan. What are the Haaretz inciters going to do with themselves.?

No country capitulates? Even if they have something they shouldn't have and giving it up is the price for peace?

PEACE IS A TWO WAY TRAFFIC SYSTEM....LETS NOT TAL;K ABOUT PEACE WITH CONDITIONS TALK ABOUT PEACE FOR ITS MERITS ALONE. ISRAEL CANNOT MUSTNT AND SHOULDN'T COME TO A SO CALLED PEACE WITH A REGIME WHICH IS CORRUPT AND BACKS TERROR. PEACE IS A THING ABOUT PEOPLE AND I DONT DOUBT THAT MANY SYRIANS DO NOT LIKE TO BE ALIENATED FROM ISRAEL AND COULDN'T CARE LESS ABOUT GOLAN POLITICS AND WOULD VERY MUCH LIKE TO BE ABLE TO HAVE TRAVEL,HUMAN ,CULTURAL AND FRIENDLY EXCHANGES- ISRAELIS IM SURE WOULD JUMP TO IT.

Many of the comments here confirm how right Levy indeed is. "The only peace with Syria occurs when Syria knows that you will smash it if its dictator puts a foot in the wrong place." That's a peaceful mindset, huh? "Gideon Levy ... [should admit that all he does] is urge readers to hate Israel." Yeah indeed, it is very Israel-hating to suggest that it should return the Golan to Syria! No, seriously boys, some self-reflection would be nice here. Hopefully, people like Gideon Levy could be helpful with that.

Obviously Israel Wants Peace! It is only the maker's of Golan Wines, the owners of Eden Water, the Arms' Industry, the Settlers of Neve Ativ, the Ski-lift operators, the Beef Cowboys, some Rabbis, the Right-Wing, and a few others who cannot be named, for obvious reasons, in this less than normal State. But, had Israel considered the opinion of its OWN negotiators, such as Uri Sagui, [Res.] Maj. Gen. -- it would have had peace some 15 years ago. ** Sagui was Israel's Chief Negotiators with Syria for PM Rabin, Netanyahu, Peres, and Barak!

At least you speak the truth Mr. Levy. It's clear Isreal rejects peace with Syria and never would want embassies between each other, even with out giving up the Golan. And never did it want with Palestinians. Peace talks has been a hot topic latley. Meanwhile, Israel goes ahead takes the Ibrahimi mosqu in Hebron. The messege is clear: Israel wants peace with none. But your time is soon

assad is an eye doctor who suffers tunnel and blurred vision!! peace is something neither he nor his father had in mind !

The application of Stein?s Law would suggest that if the Israeli presence in the occupied territories cannot go on forever, there is no need for action to bring it to an end, it will come to an end anyway.

Israel wants a piece of this and a piece of that, but peace is not on their agenda. Israel has never wanted peace, it has only wanted to take from the Palestinians what it could not ever achieve by legal means. There was a time when Israelis sought peace, but greed has overcome morals and ethics under the Netanyahu regime and led to the pariah status that Israel enjoys today. Israel needs to stop electing those who continue to defame Israel and the Jewish people if they ever hope to find Peace and security rather than descend into the abyss they currently find themselves sliding into.

Israel wants peace - but ASSAD is not interested in peace. Look at how Syria treats countries with which it is at "peace". Iraq: Sponsors terrorist attacks against Iraq Lebanon: occupied it, ships weapons to an occupying militia and destabilizes it at every turn. Until last year, claimed Lebanon as Syria's province. Palestinians: sponsored a group of Islamist thugs (hamas) that committed a violent coup and seized control of Gaza, then refused to relinquish this control or allow any semblance of democracy. Jordan: sponsors terror attacks and instability. Egypt: sponsors groups that are trying to destabilize Egypt United States, Saudi Arabia, Afghanistan, etc.: sponsors groups that are dedicated to committing terror against these nations Turkey: only stopped sponsoring the PKK terrorists when Turkey threatened to invade Syria. "Peace" with Syria is not peace. The only peace with Syria occurs when Syria knows that you will smash it if its dictator puts a foot in the wrong place.

are so far up Irans ... and Hizbully is their terrorist group away from home and that they are controlling Lebanon etc. Then you can see why Israel doesn't want peace with Syria

People who spread hate like you will pass like you werent there. You are indirectly saying we eventually want chemical & Bio & nuclear War with Iran, Syria, Hizbullah and everybody else....why? for a few occupied miles of Syrian territory... and because we hate peace and love killing. In the yom kippur war, over 2500 IDF were killed, and many more thousands from arab countries. You happy pal? You are participating to put at risk your FAMILY, your PEOPLE, your GRAND CHILDREN and yourself. As well as OURS. Think about my words, read history, then rewrtie this nonsense.

International Law. Don't mention the FACT that Israel expressed it's desire to acquire all of the non-state entity of Palestine BEFORE Israel became a UN Member state. http://wp.me/pDB7k-l5 Don't mention the FACT that Israel has done just as it threatened. http://tinyurl.com/y8ewves/myths-mis-conceptions-propaganda/#who-is-being-wiped-off-the-map If you mention these things, you will be labeled Anti-semitic, a Jew hater, a self hating Jew. You will be accused of things you haven't said, things you don't support, of wanting the destruction of Israel. Your words will be taken out of context, changed, mis-quoted, PURPOSEFULLY mis-interpreted. In fact, and it is a fact, you will be subjected to all manner of lies, innuendo, false accusations, smears, slurs, insults. You're reasonable request for answers to simple questions will be met with all manner of ridiculous analogies and claims by people who DO NOT DARE look in the mirror, because THEY KNOW what they will see.

as it says ,israel never wants peace in middle east.because israel's aims here conflicts with peace ..so the future always will be worse than now ,never better

I suppose you think groceries in Milwaukee are free or a gift since you aren't arrested when you leave the store after bartering a few dollars or using your debit card. Israel makes no gift of apples to Syria. It allows sales. Israel makes no gifts to Gaza, it allows the EU and US to buy stuff and then have it delivered to the border. I suppose the gift is that Gaza's children are allowed to live, in your opinion. You're almost as good and convincing as Baghdad Bob.

Following Syria's defeat after their attack in 1973, the Golan has been peaceful, with fewer attacks coming from Syria than from countries like Egypt and Jordan. Gideon Levy needs to ask :Why Israel would want a formal peace treaty with a failed Third World apartheid regime that illegally conquered Lebanon and systematically murders Lebanese leaders.

Perfect Match

" What Gideon does not seem to know is that Arabs cannot make peace as is understood in the rest of the world." Lets see, Jordanians are Arabs as are Egyptians, aren't they Jasper? Syria IS willing to make peace. All they want is what is theirs under International Law: The Golan.

but someone has to do it. Bullseye as usual Mr Levy---well done.

Let's face it, the Syrians are angelic... they don't bear any ill will. Hezbollah and Hamas have only peaceful intentions. Never mind the archaic rockets or the suicide belts. Assad Jr. is a direct descendant of Sadat and the Iranians, they only send love messages... via express mail. Only a turkey... not the country but Gideon Levy, can see through all this fog. In this Universe... no one else can trip the light-fantastic. Gideon levy thinks that if he looks out his window and sees the moon... he instantly becomes an astronaut.

Gideion is the reason i read this newspaper. He is the voice of reason and he think about the future of Isreal. Keep it up the good work.

No one will suffer for (perceived as) israeli agendas, when he or she realizes that the israeli side isn't ready to do so eighter.

Why does this newspaper employ fools?

No we should not admit that, because of PR reasons. Of course we don`t want to give away the Golan, and every one knows we never will. But for the PR it is important to play the game.

A true and perfect example of a LEFTIST.

Gideon Levy should admit that no one should take anything he write seriously because all he does in every article is urge readers to hate Israel.

Syria has set the price for peace as a complete return to the pre-67 situation where Syria was sitting on the Kinneret. And the peace it offers is less than non-belligerence. So in summary: we are not fools and idiots. Peace with Syria is not worth the asking price.

Yout article is very true and, of course, very very bitter. I fully understand You. I would like to tell You some amiably, friendly words, but my English isn't perfect. So - I believe, that hope dying last. I believe, that change in Israeli politics must come once and I wish You of all my heart, You live so long to see her.

For once I agree with gideon levy. I don't want to give the golan to Syria for peace. It's one of the most beautiful parts of Israel. They start a war, they lose land. We gave Syria Damascus for peace. They want the golan? Come take it cowards.

"He won`t even reciprocate Israel`s good natured gift of apples." Gift? Seems folk are required to PAY . "What Gideon does not seem to know is that Arabs cannot make peace as is understood in the rest of the world." Strange Israel withdrew from Egypt, Egypt agreed to peace on that condition. Jordan another peace agreement. "As long as Assad doesn`t do anything stupid, he has nothing to worry about" Not even Israel's illegal acquisition of SOVEREIGN Syrian territory. WOW! You're so generous.

For some reason Honesty has become a dirty word for Israel. Israel does not want peace with anyone, yet is not honest enough to just state that. It does not want Palestinians polluting Judea and Samaria, much less Jerusalem. Israel does not want peace with Syria, yet lacks the decency to say so. What is wrong with honesty? Why cannot Israel be honest with the world, or itself? Israelis clearly don't want peace, otherwise Netanyahu, Lieberman and Barak would not rule today. So why is Israel determined to elect men who oppose peace with anyone, and follow policies designed to destroy any hope for peace, yet lack the decency to be honest about what it wants? Can ANYONE deny the elections? Can anyone deny that Israel chose to reward the party who's member murdered Rabin with electoral victories since? Israel has chosen what it wants, repeatedly. It wants Judea and Samaria. Israel doesn't even want it's Arabs anymore. Israel has absolutely no interest in peace with anyone, or eve

It is so true!! In exchange of a peace like egyptian and jordanian i would not even exchange one single stone of the Hermon. Whomsays there there will peace at all in the years to come. What will be when Mubarak resigns, what will be if the Hashemite rulers are overthrowwn, or swifting positions as the jordanians always tend and do Even the Bible says, after the distruction of the 2. temple and the distruction of Juda and Israel, the begin of the diaspora, you want leave in peace untile the return of the meshiah.Israel will not be loved amongst the nations.

Syria is our quietest border. Why? Because we control the Golan Heights. Because they know that we can, and will, turn Damascus into a parking lot if the Syrians start a war with us. And what was Syria's response to our bombing their nuclear facility? Nothing. Why? Gideon Levy must be the last Israeli yet to understand that with our potential "peace partners", they very much understand the stick- but not the carrot. This is why we have peace with Syria; because those who invented and perfected "Hama Rules" also know that "Hama Rules" can be used against them.

that is called capitulation. no country capitulates.

about Syria. What convinces you that Syria wants peace? They could have had the Golan back in 1979 had they followed Sadat's footsteps. Now that Bibi said he will meet Assad anywhere, try to get some response from Assad through your esteemed paper or otherwise....and maybe you will change your mind about who wants peace. Incidentally, I hold a totally opposite view for a variety of reasons, including that none of the Arab countries want an independent, Palestinian state in the neighborhood which by virtue of its probable semi democratic political system and possible economic success, it may pose a great threat to the present failed autocratic/dictatorial Arab regimes.

about Syria. What convinces you that Syria wants peace? They could have had the Golan back in 1979 had they followed Sadat's footsteps. Now that Bibi said he will meet Assad anywhere, try to get some response from Assad through your esteemed paper or otherwise....and maybe you will change your mind about who wants peace. Incidentally, I hold a totally opposite view for a variety of reasons, including that none of the Arab countries want an independent, Palestinian state in the neighborhood which by virtue of its probable semi democratic political system and possible economic success, it may pose a great threat to the present failed autocratic/dictatorial Arab regimes.

...for Syria, Iran, Hizballah and Hamas. He should be proud! Mr. Levy, do you seriously believe Israel is wearing a mask while Syria is carrying it's heart on it's sleeve?............please!

Wow... war monger and occupation enabler. You are very brave to fight the war from Canada. Typical right wing hypocrite. I guess you had trouble getting a plane ticket to Tel Aviv so you could put on an IDF uniform and murder Palestinians.

To this day, some Israeli's are denying the fact there is a military occupation. The settlements are not viewed as illegal. The Dimona plant produces soy milk. The checkpoints in the territories are aimed towards making life easy for the Palestinians. The separation wall is a inflatable one and not real. The Mossad is a charity organization and no way is involved in assassinating people - much less in places like Dubai - against members of Hamas. The biggest joke, Israel wants peace with the Palestinians? For me, I say let Israel sink in her web of deceit and delusions. There is no greater weapon than having time on your side. Even those who are in a deep asleep will eventually be forced to wake up to reality. The rude awakening might be sooner than one might think. No one knows when that day will come. Just like all previous wars and eruptions, they explode suddenly.

Israel profits by avoiding peace with the Palestinians, but Israel needs peace with Syria. Syria has much to offer. Currently, Syria supports Hizbollah and Hamas. They give refuge to Meshal and other militants. They are allied with Iran. They exert heavy influence in Lebanon. Israel wants to change all this. Israel needs to change this before Israel can have a valid option to attack Iran. The problem is that Israel wants all this for free. This is not an unusual position for Israel. After all, they have America giving billions each year to Israel, who itself is a major weapons producer. It seems that anyone that can manage that should be able to get Assad to give it away also. Israel has tried and tried, but Syria is not as free with their favor as America is. Gideon Levy is right. It is all a charade, a ruse, a scam. Israel wants peace, but not a peace in which they make any sacrifices.

They lost the Golan in a war which was caused by their wanting to destroy us. There is no moral reason to give it back. This is a basic rule of warfare: if you try to annihilate a nation, there has to be consequences to losing. So we are not going to give back the land that they used to attack us. But we would still like to have peace with them.

Full Israeli withdrawal from Lebanon = War Full Israeli withdrawal from Gaza = War Occupation of golan = Peace Occupation of West Bank = Peace

That's right Gidone baby....why in God's name would any sane country/Israel (and that's excluding leftist nutwings like you) return land to Syria whose raison d'etre is in part the destruction of Israel and once in control of the Golan would arm it with all manner of artillery and missiles? If you're tender sensibilities are offended by Israel, in a "bullying' manner, taking land that's not theirs, put your leftist heart at ease...the land didn't belong to Syria; it in fact was to be part of a Jewish state. In fact, Syria and even Iraq are two artificial states taken from the Ottoman Empire and their boundaries were drawn up by France and England. So Gidone, go enjoy a latte on the boardwalk in a city where nobody will kill you for being Jewish!

Excellent article by Gideon Levy. Perhaps when the Israeli theocracy pursues real peace, rather than its deluded agenda of occupation and oppression, then it might be invited to rejoin the civilized world, where the concept of occupation and colonialism has long been consigned to the dustbin of history - until then Israel retains its status of a Pariah State

...could write for stand up comedians if he were a little closer to reality

Why do you make so little of the fact that Syria aligns herself with Hezbollah, Iran and Hamas? It is a huge deal! How can Israel make peace with Syria by giving up 100% of the Golan and in return Syria doesn't give up a damn thing?

Gee...Gideon L must have read my (unresponded to) posts on the Ruth Dayan interview threafd . The real hawks on this board know full well the Golan was a land grab (I'm shocked, shocked) spelled out in Yediot Aharnot's 1997 Passover Edition. How inconvenient. The UNTSO guy General E.L.M Burns writes his memoirs and never even MENTIONS artillery during the early fifties. But I am told by Israeli supporters that the Syrians rained daily hellfire down on trembling families trying to weed their gardens. Sure. And the IDF waited 19 years from 1948 to 1967 to do something about it? ARE YOU KIDDING ME? Your government is bringing ridicule and shame down on decent Israelis who should (and often do) stand up and say "Not in our name". White steak? Yes. Random Cluster bombs sent by Bush 43? No. Now ignore this post and tell yourself a response is beneath your dignity. But you know the real reason.

what the full peace he imagines is and that it involves cutting relations with Iran and Hezbollah? Oh, sorry, only Israel is expected to reveal its positions ahead of time so that it has no bargaining power whatsoever.

It has become an essential part. For some, the mirror can no longer be looked at without it. Taking the mask off will require MAJOR surgery over a generation or more. Each contaminating piece dug out. A skin graft for every one who still believes any of the many fallacies and outright lies perpetuated on behalf of the expansionist notions of the last 100 years or so. An operation which will have to be repeated each and every time a fallacy is repeated. It is going to be a long and painfull operation. The loss of face will result in massive hemorrhaging and there is no anesthetic. The patient will need to be strapped down in order to prevent it from kicking around, snapping and snarling, endangering itself and those around it. And in the end, it will very likely require laws be made against the denial of what has been visited on the people of Palestine. http://wp.me/PDB7k-M#support-Israel

Israel and it people DO want peace with Syria. The above analysis misses the obvious point that the risks of dealing with a regime that openly agrees with countries such as Iran whose leaders deny the holocaust and say even one inch of land for Israel is too much and other parties such as Lebanon's Hezbollah who say the same thing presents too much of a RISK to the very existence of Israel. Syria is the country of the famous three "nos" after the six day war. Therefore with such risks the rewards are dubious at best. Better for Israel to bide its time until there is a regime that actually will accept Israel vs one that is merely posturing. With Egypt it was a different matter , even if there is a only "cold" peace there is still the buffer of the Negev and the demilitarization of the Sinai. Here the return of the Golan casts Syria in the heartland of Israel. Too much of a risk at present given the actors involved. So please Gideon don't be so simplistic.

Gideon Levy should admit that Syria does not want peace with Israel

Mr Levy, Prior to the Six Day War in 1967, the Golan Heights were in Syrian hands. Why was there no peace then with Syria? I dont know how old you are, but I suspect you do not remember the days prior to 1967. How long do you think there will be peace if the Syrians get the Golan back? The only guarantee that we have that the Syrians will not start a war with us is the fact that the Golan is in Israeli hands.

Through the cold war, Moscow's propagandists claimed that since the US wouldn't agree to withdraw their forces from Western Europe, this "proved" that the US had no interest in peace. This sounds about as absurd...

Why don't you just tell the whole story, Gideon, right down to the shores of the Kinneret. It's not about wine. It's about water, and that's what Syria wants -- and that's something we just can't give. Syria's long and unspoiled history of unrelenting hostility and hatred towards Israel is far more convincing than "Peace PR Feelers" for Western consumption. The "Banquet Scene" is nothing new. In fact it's just more of the same never ending incitement abd plotting. Let the Syrians renounce all claims to the Kinneret as they just recently did on Lebanon, and let them, and not you, talk about "full peace", before you cynically rebuke our intentions. Assad (neither father nor son) is Sadat. He bears a far more striking ressemblance to Ahmadinejad. And that's the problem. Should Israel forge ahead for a full peace with the Palestinians? YES. ABSOLURTELY. A rendezvous with Assad? I'm not so certain that this frog will turn into any prince of good will. He just wants the pond -- all of it!

gideon, with this article you really make me sick and think of you as a person who want to destroy israel Maspick do not write any more do you know all the northren israel is under the gun of iran and arab once we left yoy are deft or blind who was with assad lat week, gideone you better stop writing before you destroy israel

What a brilliant narrative. Let's hand over the keys to the one piece of land that provides a clear military advantage to a man who embraces the head nut from Iran and his Hezbollah puppet master. Let's just take that huge risk because we know deep down inside, Mr. Assad would embrace peace with Israel with hugs and kisses and tell his Iranian task master to just fade away. Then we could all just hold hands and dance in the streets. To Mr. Levy and his flock, ignorance truly is bliss.

... as far as I can see. He won't even reciprocate Israel's good natured gift of apples. Would it kill him to send back a truck load of radishes or something? What Gideon does not seem to know is that Arabs cannot make peace as is understood in the rest of the world. The can only offer hudnas good for 10 years max, because ... ummmm ... Muhammad said so. So what is the point? As long as Assad doesn't do anything stupid, he has nothing to worry about.

natanyahu already has peace from the PA so why give them anything? bibi has no intent on changing anything cause its all just fine...just steal more and more land and see how far he can push...making a deal is no part of bibi's plans

why don't you challenge Assad (in Haaretz, or other public means) to respond to Bibi's proposal to meet anywhere with Assad? If the answer by Assad is no, then you may want to substitute SYRIA for ISRAEL in your indignant editorial. If it's yes, then let's see if Bibi really meant it. What do you think...are you up to the challenge? C'mon Gideon, let's start something here....for the sake of Israel and the Jewish people, not for the Talkbackers and the number of hits you get for your article.

Israel isn't willing to make any sacrifices for security. It will come back to bite her in the @ss in the long run.