Peace with Syria as vital as stopping Iran's bomb

"How many wars that we didn`t have to fight with Syria since October 1973?" (Mordo) None, for the meantime - as you surely know. Is that a sufficient reason for choosing the Golan over peace with another of our neighbours? And why none? Because we are now in peace with Egypt, and Syria alone cannot go to war. Egypt about which people like you were saying, "they all hate us, they all want to destroy us, always did ... "

"How many wars that we didn`t have to fight with Syria since October 1973?" (Mordo) None, for the meantime - as you surely know. Is that a sufficient reason for choosing the Golan over peace with another of our neighbours? And why none? Because we are now in peace with Egypt, and Syria alone cannot go to war. Egypt about which people like you were saying, "they all hate us, they all want to destroy us, always did ... "

How many wars that we didn't have to fight with Syria since October 1973?

Dear Joel from Tel Aviv: NO concession whatever will ever please a terror group. Their goal is the elimination of the Jewish state of Israel. What part of that goal do you not understand?

Dear Courcy: The analogy you gave is correct, but you have inadequate historical knowledge - let me help you out here. The "horse" is the Mandate of Palestine and the British were the thieves who stole it from the Jewish people and gave it as a gift to Arab countries which they created. Golan was "gifted" to Syria in 1923 from France. What business did the Catholics of France have in doing such things? Golan is part of Israel now and forever. And the suburbs of Jerusalem will reach to the suburbs of Damascus. The prophet had it right.

Thanks to Zionist Forever for laying out the ultimate results of "peace treaty" with Syria in this generation, all of which are negative consequences for Israel. It is wishful thinking that only damages Israel in the long run, and such daydreams should not be dreamt by anyone who loves Israel.

Thank you, Avi. This politician does not admit or understand that Iran is now the dominant political influence in Syria and has some influence in Iraq as well. And through the Hizbollah, they control a proxy army in southern Lebanon which can attack Israel while leaving Tehran safe.

To Joel from Tel Aviv: There can be no "comprehensive peace" with "Palestinians" as you have declared Israel's priority to be. Her priority is the defense of her citizens' lives, against the continuing war made against the Jewish state by the Arab states and the European states and the USA. All these groups seek to weaken and to eliminate the Jewish state from existence; all other declarations are just smoke screens to hide the real goal of their agendas for "peace."

"they [the Syrians] had the Golan Heights before '67 and there wasn't any peace. The reality is that they all hate us, they all want to destroy us, always did and and always will ... " (Mordo #61) The Egyptians had the Sinai before '67, and there wasn't any peace. The reality is that they all hate us, they all want to destroy us, etc ... How naive it was from then-PM Begin to have welcomed their President Sadat in Jerusalem. Think of all the wars that we didn't had to fight, as from October 1973.

Strategic position, new axis? Can this author please enlighten us as to what exactly is different today than was 20 years ago than was 40 years ago than was 60 years ago? The reality is that they all hate us, they all want to destroy us, always did and and always will, and they will all use the latest means to pursue that end. Besides, they had the Golan Heights before '67 and there wasn't any peace. What could have been bothering them then?

"The Golan IS of strategic interest ... ", you said. "WAS once", is more appropriate. In the age of drones, spy/surveillance satellites and ballistic deadly missiles, 16 miles/26 kms (the width of the occupied Golan at its widest part) have no strategic value at all. "it is in the interest of Israel to keep the Golan for its resources ... " (DM) Big mistake: The time of war for resources is long over. Israel cannot afford to be the last of colonial powers. A Middle East in peace would be our ultimate resource, much more valuable than any other one. " ... and the half a million Jewish Israelis living there." (DM) Over too is the time of war for 'lebensraum'. What EXACLY WOULD I want from Syria in Return? Simple: A negotiated Peace Treaty, of the kind we finally got from Pres. Sadat and King Hussein.

Shabbatai Tzvi was my favourite, he was going great guns until he upped sticks and became a Muslim.Close but no cigar eh? No there won't be a messiah, nor was there ever inteded to be one. Messianism was a contrived at a late date to the OT. All the messiahs were kings 'anointed'. It meant little more than just that, but Judaism became infused with Zoroastrianism in the post exilic and with it came the obsession with life after death, good and evil, light and dark, a concept (life after death) absent or unimportant in early Judaism. This was fueled by the calamities in the there and then and 2 destroyed Temples, The Christians ran with the theme and today half of the US and much of the Mid East[including Osama] are delirious with the same virus. So all we can be assured is that there will be countless messiahs-all of them false.

Every generation produces at least one potential messiah. Bar Kochba had as good a chance as Jesus or the Rebbe. We will see who the real messiah is when the real messiah does. Let me give you a clue: it will not be your favorite Bin Laden. Try to imagine someone the opposite of Bin Laden and you might be on the right track.

Your last comment says it all (#54). The Golan IS of strategic interest: it is in the interest of Israel to keep the resources the Golan represent and the half a million Jewish Israelis living there in place. It is so especially in light of those who argue for an imaginary peace in return from Syria that would be cold as a corpse and infertile as the desert of the Sinai. But ultimately, the decision is not mine to make. So, think clearly, think hard, and do not complain afterwards when Syria continues its support of those groups that wish to eliminate the State of Israel completely.

Rabbi Akiva was a stark example of a fanatic gone awol. He thought Bar Kochba was the messiah [how very 'moderate' of him] when all modern day zealots know the real messiah was the Rebbe [ha ha]. Then again as you go contextualizing the zealots for a wee bit of mistiming... do you think al Queda have shot their bolt a tad early then and have the secular god forsaken west[Hellenists]got the upper hand?

I see by your five replies to my short post that I must have struck a nerve in you merely by pointing out a few basic facts. I did not say that the Zealots were moderate shrinking violets: that was your "hallucinogenic" imagination. The fact remains that the Zealots followed the Maccabees in fighting for freedom against the totalitarian oppression of the Hellenistic Syrian and Roman empires. It has nothing to do any of that stuff you wrote about the renaissance and what not. You are right that the Talmud criticises the Zealots but not for their ideals or their decision to fight, only for making the mistake of fighting at the wrong time. The greatest of all the Talmudists was Rabbi Akiva who sacrificed his life in support of the Bar Kochba uprising against the Roman Emperor Hadrian. Although the Jews did not succeed in defeating the mighty Roman Empire the heroic example of their struggle made possible the reestablishment of the independent state of Israel as a modern democracy in 1948.

"giving the Golan Hts back to Syria would be ok if demilitarized ... " (Sarah) That would be one of the Israeli negotiators' job to take care of. It can happen. It has happened with part of Sinai. " ... and the Syrians agree to cut ties with Hamas and Hizbollah." (Sarah) There is no need at all to demand that from Syria. It sounds to me more than reasonable to believe that all Syria's present allies would immediately condemn Assad's regime for having agreed to live in peace with the Zionist state.

Oh I see, fanatical Hellenists were merely being resisted by moderate zealots[forget the oxymoron then?] those mild mannered shrinking violets and sicari! Even the Talmud refers to those zealots of the Roman era as being responsible for the destruction of Jerusalem and the Temple. Let me put it in a way suited to the thickest of talkbackers. Hellenists of yore were modernisers, innovators who saw the new Greek ways as more enlightened and progressive. They equate well to European Renaissance and Enlightenment figures. The zealots in the renaissance were the Roman Church. Now who were the fanatics again? According to your method it would be the great renaissance figures like Descartes and Giordano Bruno! Now if I were to appeal to the most bigoted and Lieberman like right wing talk backers. Todays would be modernisers in the Islamic world and the secular west are reviled and violently opposed by zealots in the Islamic world. People like al Queda who do of course regard their foes as the *fanatics*! Of course you would have it by your own contorted reasoning[if you were either honest or consistent] that it is the west or the moderate Muslims who are the fanatics for "provoking" the innocent zealots and staining the name of allah with their persecution of the noble faith of Islam! That's the trouble with perverting history so completely. It only works if done in strict isolation entirely subjectively and without allowing logic or consistency to enter ones calculations. Not to worry though, judging by your post, there is little danger of logic or consistency playing any part in your thinking.

The current regime in Iran is despotic and utterly autocratic but it lives well within its international borders and it is in peace with ALL its neighbors. On the other hand the regime that you support has a long history of terrorism, occupation and blatant Apartheid. Of course I agree with you that Iran has influence on Syria and as an ancient nation many friends too. As the author has pointed out the Zionist regime is not interested in peace and Syria knows that. The axis the author is talking about is real and only peace with the Palestinians will allow Israel to join it or access its huge regional market brimming with youth who'd like to consume goods and services. Iran is not going anywhere and the only way to deal with it is through peace with the Palestinians.

Try to think all by yourself - if only for this once. Only fools believe that Syria may, one day, make its peace with us and consent to be the one and only Arab state to have willingly contributed a piece of its sovereign land to the prosperity of the Jewish state. Only dimwits believe that the present state of war between us and Syria can last forever as is. It only plays into the hands of the Ayatullahs: They are only waiting for the first opportunity to stir the pot and replace, one day or another, the secular regime of the Alawite Assad family with an Islamist one. Just what Israel and the Jordanian king need. "Syria poses both a danger and an opportunity. It could also play a constructive role in the region ... ", Edward Djerejian, former American ambassador to Syria and to Israel, as quoted in "The Syrian-American Rift" by Akiva Eldar, Haaretz 01/11/2006. www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/781527.html#resp

"Assad will continue to support Hamas and Hizbollah, no matter what", you said. Could you try and explain why is that? What else do you think is to be expected from a country whose sovereign land (the Golan had been syrian way before June 1967) has been military occupied for the last 42 years by a foreign power?

Israel and will not dare provoking it. Iran is interested in playing up its deterrent by activating proxy war of words because of the recent diplomatic pressure - that is all. There is no muscle behind this threat. Should Syrian be this stupid and as much as fart (militarily speaking) it will be disposed of in 24 hours. Assad knows this and needs a confrontation with Israel like a hole in his head. Israel is quite happy with the Syrian status quo also so there is nothing to gain by attacking Syria. Back to the Saints Super Ball celebrations.

a provision went with it that it stay demilitarized, and the Syrians agreed to cut ties with Hamas,Hizbollah & Syria. I doubt in your wildest dreams you really believe that would ever happen.

Long term peace with everybody is more essential than anything else! The constant state of war is long term unstable. Your grandchildren will thank you for a just peace. A just peace of course implies the return of all occupied territories.

I liked Syria when I visited with my family last year. Although I must say what passes for Carbonara in Damascus rather startled my younger son. I just wonder has Israel really digested the implications of "The six degrees of seperation"/"Human Web Theory" with respect to its defence policies?

Oh I see, fanatical Hellenists were merely being resisted by moderate zealots[forget the oxymoron then?] those mild mannered shrinking violets and sicari! Even the Talmud refers to those zealots of the Roman era as being responsible for the destruction of Jerusalem and the Temple. Let me put it in a way suited to the thickest of talkbackers. Hellenists of yore were modernisers, innovators who saw the new Greek ways as more enlightened and progressive. They equate well to European Renaissance and Enlightenment figures. The zealots in the renaissance were the Roman Church. Now who were the fanatics again? According to your method it would be the great renaissance figures like Descartes and Giordano Bruno! Now if I were to appeal to the most bigoted and Lieberman like right wing talk backers. Todays would be modernisers in the Islamic world and the secular west are reviled and violently opposed by zealots in the Islamic world. People like al Queda who do of course regard their foes as the *fanatics*! Of course you would have it by your own contorted reasoning[if you were either honest or consistent] that it is the west or the moderate Muslims who are the fanatics for "provoking" the innocent zealots and staining the name of allah with their persecution of the noble faith of Islam! That's the trouble with perverting history so completely. It only works if done in strict isolation entirely subjectively and without allowing logic or consistency to enter ones calculations. Not to worry though, judging by your post, there is little danger of logic or consistency playing any part in your thinking.

Oh I see, fanatical Hellenists were merely being resisted by moderate zealots[forget the oxymoron then?] those mild mannered shrinking violets and sicari! Even the Talmud refers to those zealots of the Roman era as being responsible for the destruction of Jerusalem and the Temple. Let me put it in a way suited to the thickest of talkbackers. Hellenists of yore were modernisers, innovators who saw the new Greek ways as more enlightened and progressive. They equate well to European Renaissance and Enlightenment figures. The zealots in the renaissance were the Roman Church. Now who were the fanatics again? According to your method it would be the great renaissance figures like Descartes and Giordano Bruno! Now if I were to appeal to the most bigoted and Lieberman like right wing talk backers. Todays would be modernisers in the Islamic world and the secular west are reviled and violently opposed by zealots in the Islamic world. People like al Queda who do of course regard their foes as the *fanatics*! Of course you would have it by your own contorted reasoning[if you were either honest or consistent] that it is the west or the moderate Muslims who are the fanatics for "provoking" the innocent zealots and staining the name of allah with their persecution of the noble faith of Islam! That's the trouble with perverting history so completely. It only works if done in strict isolation entirely subjectively and without allowing logic or consistency to enter ones calculations. Not to worry though, judging by your post, there is little danger of logic or consistency playing any part in your thinking.

To Sarah: Syria wants pre-conditions before talking ( emulated by Abbas). The return of ALL the Golan Hts is their only reason for talking. Once returned, ( recall Kuneitra after 73 ), they can sit back and do what they please, like enhance their military capabilities there., facing Israel to the south. Recall that Syria started the 67 War by faking the Israeli border actions. It attacked in 73 even though it had signed agreements. It regularly tweaks Israel's nose by using water diversion, and call-ups (recently). Assad understood Damascus would disappear if Israel struck hard. His son has myopia..and needs his brain drained of the residue. Syria DOES have Scud Cs and Ds, with BC warheads..and defenses (Russian). It has a treaty with Iran ( has treaty with Hez). Hamas, Hez/ Syria /Iran..are joined, like twins. But, knocking off the head Syria (or Iran) will dismember the others. Bottom line: any Israeli retaliation (or pre-empt), must be devestating, no mercy shown, no cease fires.

Lest anyone forget, Syria has attacked Israel 3 times, (objective to destroy the Jewish country), not to forget thousands of guerrilla raids, diverting the water, and emasculating IDF soldiers. It has demanded the return of the entire Golan, in exchange for nothing, but an empty promise of peace ( whatever that means). They are like a sibling who only wants the brother's money..after which the war continues. What is the rush to give Syria territory it lost when IT made war). The US waits 70yrs before returning some islands taken in WW2. Don't all you guys get it, this is about the destructio of the Jewish state..and killing of ALL it's people., nothing less. Iran's leader today told Germany that Israel will be destroyed by G-d ( ie, Shihabs armed with nukes). W/O Iran, Syria cannot defeat Israel. So, Bibi's minimizing Hamas/Hez/Fatah, and giving priority to Iran's danger, is realistic. Unlike our Obama, Bibi cannot use just inspiring rhetoric. One major loss, and Israel is lost.

To DM; You absolutely right. Also, the US gives back territory taken in WW2, but only after peace is assured (like 50 years). Syria has been fighting Israel since day one. What is the urgency here? Let Syria prove by deeds over 100 yrs that they really do want peace with Israel. Look, had Israel lost any land since 48, do we really believe the Arabs would consider returning. Anyone who does..I have the Brooklyn Bridge. Syria's goal, and the entire Muslim world's goal, is Israel judenrein, get it, w/O Jews. Nothing has changed since 73, when they emasuclated IDFers caught The ONLY reason they haven't attacked Israel is the obvious, they CANNOT WIN, with Israel holding the best tank trap in the world. Syria, must invade Israel, cut it into two parts, to hope for a victory (not just fire Scuds). NO country, given the current environment, would give up land. If Israel does..next it will be Tel Aviv. Iran today said G-d will destroy Israel ( implication: ASA it gets nukes..good bye Jews.

Syria is not interested in real peace. It is putting on a show to get more onside with the USA and come further down from its rogue classification. It is a straw man argument to suggest that Israel is driving Syria into Iran's hands. As the ayatollah has proclaimed .The regional powers are looking for a way to wipe Israel off the map. For that misstep.It would be a misstep to jump the gun on giving back the Golan. Only when Israel is truly accepted in the region by both arabs and iranians. And they don't going around blythely denying the holocaust and Israel's right to exist could such a move get a serious look. In the meantime the best thing to do is continue low level discussions.

If you ever look at the occupational maps of Europe during World War II all you will see is that the red of the reich bled over to ever nation and Switzerland still stood free as neutral.Israel is in the diverse position to be neutral and we have a unique situation that we have a mixed culture same as Switzerland with strong military and land rights for peace. We are at the moment to stand true to the world in advancement with all around us united together in peace.We have a chance in 2010 to remain of the old and leap forward to the new. Let us realize we are an example to achieve one more day of truth providing the light (food, warmth, caring, education), God, and the way of realizing we lead or we follow.No more. Stopping is not weakness.Turning the other cheek and walking away sometimes is not weakness.Is that not more strength to achieve the right to stop from killing than the easier path to just pull a trigger.What right does that get you to Heaven the ulitmate goal of all.Karoon

Oh I see, fanatical Hellenists were merely being resisted by zealots, those mild mannered shrinking violets and sicari! Even the Talmud refers to those zealots of the Roman era as being responsible for the destruction of Jerusalem and the Temple. Let me put it in a way suited to the thickest of talkbackers. Hellenists of yore were modernisers, innovators who saw the new Greek ways as more enlightened and progressive. They equate well to European Renaissance and Enlightenment figures. The zealots in the renaissance were the Roman Church. Now who were the fanatics again? According to your method it would be the great renaissance figures like Descartes and Giordano Bruno! Now if I were to appeal to the most bigoted and Lieberman like right wing talk backers. Todays would be modernisers in the Islamic world and the secular west are reviled and violently opposed by zealots in the Islamic world. People like al Queda who do of course regard their foes as the *fanatics*! Of course you would have it by your own contorted reasoning[if you were either honest or consistent] that it is the west or the moderate Muslims who are the fanatics for "provoking" the innocent zealots and staining the name of allah with their persecution of the noble faith of Islam! That's the trouble with perverting history so completely. It only works if done in strict isolation entirely subjectively and without allowing logic or consistency to enter ones calculations. Not to worry though, judging by your post, there is little danger of logic or consistency playing any part in your thinking.

Oh I see, fanatical Hellenists were merely being resisted by zealots, those mild mannered shrinking violets and sicari! Let me put it in a way suited to the thickest of talkbackers. Hellenists of yore were modernisers, innovators who saw the new Greek ways as more enlightened and progressive. They equate well to European Renaissance and Enlightenment figures. The zealots in the renaissance were the Roman Church. Now who were the fanatics again? According to your method it would be the great renaissance figures like Descartes and Giordano Bruno! Now if I were to appeal to the most bigoted and Lieberman like right wing talk backers. Todays would be modernisers in the Islamic world and the secular west are reviled and violently opposed by zealots in the Islamic world. People like al Queda who do of course regard their foes as the *fanatics*! Of course you would have it by your own contorted reasoning[if you were either honest or consistent] that it is the west or the moderate Muslims who are the fanatics for "provoking" the innocent zealots and staining the name of allah with their persecution of the noble faith of Islam! That's the trouble with perverting history so completely. It only works if done in strict isolation entirely subjectively and without allowing logic or consistency to enter ones calculations. Not to worry though, judging by your post, there is little danger of logic or consistency playing any part in your thinking.

"Without the Golan Heights, Israel will be at the mercy of a hostile country once more that could shell any part of Israel ... " (DM) As if only our occupation of the Golan prevents Syria from shelling us with their modern long-range missiles. Pure nonsense, which also betrays a deep ignorance of what a Peace Treaty is: Not a promise of lasting friendship but first of all a contract between two parties that have come to the conclusion that living in peace would be more profitable than making war. And as is the case for every contract, the party that breaks it is liable to suffer the consequences. Think only Lebanon, summer 2006. The only agreement we have with this country is the 1949 Armistice Agreement, not even a Peace Treaty.

Yes, of course you're right. Even Iraq attacked Israel with Scuds, not to mention Lebanon and the attempts of Hamas. But why give a platform to the enemy (and Syria would remain as such even after Israel received a piece of paper from it)? On this platform, Syria could station various types of weaponry. In addition, the Golan is a BEAUTIFUL area that Syria LOST as a result of its aggression on Israel. It has been built up by Israel in the past 40 years. It is a strategic asset in what way, you ask? It contains resources, first and foremost (water, forests, territory that was only part of Syria for a VERY short time). Lastly, if Israel were to surrender the Golan, it would only embolden the enemies of Israel even more and demand more for "peace." Thus, it would be the height of folly to surrender territory paid for in blood and developed by the sweat and tears of generations.

Well in the eyes of israelis Syria is nothing. It is a bankrupt country with obsolete weapons, so there is not even a point of thinking about it. Look at IAF and look at the antiquated, non-electronic planes of the Syrians. In terms of know how, look at Technion and the look at Damascus engineering college. Well, this is a grave mistake. Things in strategy are not very linear and you never know where the trouble will start. Syria can take an important role in a worls where USA is no longet the omnipotent leader.

It is under illegal Occuption as per INTERNATIONAL LAW. The quicker Israel give it back the better benefits will come for Israel, to stop Syria being friends to Iran Hezb, and Hamas. If Syria wants to be the friends of them three then it is their business, We are quite happy having the US as our friends, so they are free to choose thier friends. The future will be that Syria will be a better friend to us than the US which is too far away from our backyard.That is the FUTURE Sarah.

Have you notice that todays weapons are MISSILES of all kinds. HEBZ. possess more than 40 000 missiles that can reach lots of towns and cities. Even poor Hamas got some hundreds, and Syria will not use tanks and artillery, but MISSILES by thousands, and UNCLE IRAN will help for few more advance one when require. So this article by Zvi BAR'EL is very important, surely not for your type who do not understand Politics and benefits to Israel.

Israelis may well really want peace with their neighbours, but on the cheap. They seem to envisage a peace with Syria in which that country cuts ties with Iran, Hezbollah and Hamas while Israel retains the Golan. Israel would then satisfy the Palestinians with a "state" comprising non-contiguous bantustans in the West Bank with severely limited sovereignty. Most reasonable people see a peace where Israel leaves occupied Syrian, Lebanese and Palestinian territories in exchange for recognition by her neighbours and others, as offered twice by the Arabs. If I stole your horse, should I expect you to shake hands in reconciliation while I retain the horse?

with regard to Syria is Syria's irreversible pacification -- one way or another. I imagine that the only regret the Israeli political leadership -- and much of the Israeli citizenship -- have with regard to Syria is that it's too close to Israel to nuke.

1) Peace is not about treaties for the sake of treaties its what most benefits the countries security and the Golan is a bigger benefit to security that any treaty with Assad 2) Syria is not the key to peace making with other arab states. The Gulf states are right enemies on paper only and it is possible to make peace on on a country by country basis and Syria is not their favorite country anyway. 3) Peace with Syria will not end the Iranian threat because its Iran that pulls the strings. Assuming we made peace with Syria and Assad cut off relations with Iran, it wouldn't affect Iran if anything it would be good because they would no longer be paying Syrias debts to Russia. 4) Do we want a treaty that will badly damage the economy because of the huge costs involved? Do we want a Syria armed with US weapons which is expected as part of the peace with Israel package? Do we want Syria getting a share of Kineret water? A treaty under these terms harms Israel alot & benefits Assad only

Right now Iran is much too unstable to make Zvi's musings anything more than wishful thinking. What Zvi is right about is that there is a basis for a deal with this emerging bloc, but only down the road. What I don't understand is the belligerence he imputes to Netanyahu. From what I see Bibi and Barak are trying to practice deterrence. War is too unpredictable in its outcome to be desirable for these two historically much criticized politicians fortunate enough to get a second chance on the throne.

While Syria enjoys some leeway as Iran's protectorate, Lebanon is an Iranian Hezbollistan and so is Gaza's Hamastan. The decision by Obama to restore ambassador is not inspired in a deep analysis of the new Iran-Iraq-Turkey-Saudi Arabia axis forming. It is more of the same "outsretched arm" naiveté, wanting to gain some more time while Obama's whole absurd castle of diplomatic winks cumbles down. Cipora Julianna Kohn # 9 says is perfectly in two lines.

Your knowledge of ancient history is even worse than your understanding of the twenty first century. It was the fanatical Hellenists who provoked the Maccabeean Revolution by persecuting the Jewish religion, desecrating the Temple in Jerusalem and murdering the seven sons of Hannah. The fanatical Hellenists of today are still up to the same kind of tricks. That is why the last Israeli election produced a Zionist majority in the spirit of the old Maccabees.

"Fanatic helenist jews" JP Really you ought to choose your analogies more carefully. The Hellenist Jews of yore were indeed the moderates who opposed the fanatical zealots of their era. It was the zealots who opposed the Greco-Syrians and later the Romans even resorting to assassinating Jewish opponents[sicari]leading directly to numerous wars and the eventual destruction of the Temple. Not the Hellenist 'fanatics' LOL! Those Hellenists would be best compared with today's J-Street crowd in the US or perhaps the Peace Now or Meretz types in Israel. whereas the zealots would be best aligned with the religious nut-jobs of the West Bank and Old City and their far right facilitators in the Likud and Yisroel Beteinu along with AIPAC in the US. Hellenistic 'fanatics' indeed!

would constitute a treaty that could still lead to war. The folks who think that peace with Syria is as simple as returning the Golan are mistaken. Besides, it`s too late now that Assad has sent high-tech ground-to-ground missiles to Hezbolla capable of targeting Israeli cities.

Assad recently shipped ground to ground missiles to Hizbolla that can hit Israeli cities. Their range is 250 KM and they are launched from mobile units that are very hard to hit. This has nothing to do with Israel wanting or not wanting peace as the enemies of Israel suggest (as well as some ill-informed Haaretz writers)

Syria is never going to be a friend to Israel, never. The Golan is Israel's, and Syria can cry all she wants, nothings being returned to Syria but an adios.

I think a certain amount of intelligence is required to really understand this brillaince and far-sightedness of the article...most of the talkbalkers just arent that intelligent I guess..."Cutting off an arm" (an arm that was cut off someone elses body and transplanted illegally), "Already have peace" (While all may seem quiet in the north, the more you delay the more the syrian ppl seethe, and the government will have to react, if only to keep themselves in power)...and anyone in the know doesnt beleive that itll be tank vs. tank (where israel for sure will win) itll def work on the hezbollah/hamas model of guerilla, infiltration and chaos...the golan is still very much alive in every levantine arab's history, culture, language...contrary to what you may tell yourself, time did not freeze in the golan for 2000 years waiting for the jews to remember it..we want it back..keep it demilitarized, keep ur "eyes" on top of mt. hermon, make it a free travel zone, but we aint givin it up!

The Syrian people need peace and Israeli help to develop their economy and modernise their agriculture but the Syrian dictatorship is terrified that peace can only loosen its hold on Syrian society. All Syria knows that another military confrontation with Israel would be suicide so the likelihood is that Assad will continue to wage his war by proxy forces only until the fall of the Iranian dictatorship. When Iran is a social democracy enjoying full diplomatic relations with Israel there will be a new situation throughout the entire Middle East and even a significant change in Syrian policy.

Fanatic helenist jews, can't see the difference between a partner to peace and a danger in their front.

It will align itself to any force seen as opposing the US-Israeli nexus that otherwise dominates the region. Iran has no effective veto over this Sunni state's actions. Returning the Golan will nullify the detrimental effects of Syria's alliance with Iran as far as Israel is concerned. The main impediment to peace prospects with Syria is Israel's reluctance to countenance a full withdrawal from regions it considers part of eretz yisroel. God given land. In any case Israel badly needs enemies. No state built on such strong nationalist ideals as Israel[an effective ethnocracy]can do without enemies as neighbours and enemies within. Once they melt away, Israel is left to face up to its social and economic divisions without the attendant excuses to delay action in solving them. A worrying prospect for right wing Ashkenazi war mongers in government who march in lockstep with the war planners in the military.

...Barak and Netanyahu, who have devoted their lives to the defense of Israel, are "blind" in your eyes... No, it is not an arrogance, but `blindness`. `Blindness of the Left`. In the `world` of the left there is no place for pure enemy or pure hate. When an enemy or hate developed towards you, look in the mirror. You must have sinned. Remove your sin by giving your enemy all the satisfaction it requires, and all the hate will go away. Because in the same world there is no provision for the cinism that will turn the satisfaction against you in the blink of an eye to your greater detriment and demise.

I understand perfect the ideas of Mr. Barel. As a daily follower of the Isreali press,I praise his ideas. Israel is a beautiful country.With a democratic base. But the State ,his politicians are arrogant and do not want to see the changes,and the potentiaaly changes in the future. I think that the biggest threat to Israel is not the peace process him self,but the really social and economic problems in the country. Without ennemies surrounding him;after a peace process...Israel will face enormous changes and internal problems,that the country cannot face. 1.The integration of the Arab community and the Haredi community to the full economic and social integration. 2.To the resolve :the education problems,the poverty problems. 3.And who to survive the jewish and sionist indentity in the post modern 21 th century. The financial crisis has changed a lot in our lives. Politically,socially and economicely,Israel has to feel it. Can the Sionist Idea than survive.?

Israel northern neighbor does not constitute a military threat is not totally accurate. Logistically, Hamas and Hezbollah would have not night seen the light without Syria. A full blown war is with whom beside Hamas and Hezbollah and how long it is going to last? Israel must come to its senses and realizes by keeping the Golan Heights is keeping itself at war at all time. It will be nice to see Jewish neighborhoods come to life in Syria, Egypt, Lebanon, and Morocco and so on if peace happens. We need leaders with visions to continue the peace path of Anwar Sadat and Yitzhak Rabin. Good article Bar?el.

What a supremely arrogant assertion that Israel's leaders are "blind to the regions strategic developments". Barak and Netanyahu, who have devoted their lives to the defense of Israel, are "blind" in your eyes... He who doth protest...

Israel has long been focused on changing the game of ME politics without realizing that working out a comprehensive peace plan with the Palestinians is the only hope for peace between Israel and other regional actors. This is easier said than done, but it is the ONLY way. If we (Israelis) can fully cede the West Bank and Gaza and allow a limited Right of Return for a significant number of Pal. Refs. to places inside the green line, THEN NO ONE WILL CARE ABOUT THE GOLAN.

Finally, someone who thinks strategically, rather than counting potential votes. Run for office, Mr. Bar'el!

syria's growing potential for a pivotal role in the middle-east has been forecast for some time now...and israel's steadfast determination to snub assad's gestures towards peaceful relations, and the positive changes in middle-east security that would inevitably ensue, reflects the dismal shortsightedness of the israeli leadership.

it is highly unlikely that syria will make peace with israel as long as iran's terror regime is intact. the head is iran, not syria.

Assad will continue to support Hamas,and Hizbollah,no matter what.

Mar Bar'el Would the US yield California for Peace with Mexico? The Golan is part of Israel, and to yield it means cutting of an arm. Sometimes, it is worth a fight to save an arm. When do you suggest stopping on yielding--I understand that a country named TelAviv is as possible as a country named Singapore--is this what you want?

Dear leftis on the contrary giving up golan is israel suicide period TALK TALK TALK and destroy israel all you can do nothing more and nothing less liberman is right and should be supported not you and rest of you in haaretz

Bibi--whatever the op-eds at Haaretz tell you to do, run, RUN, run as fast as possible, in the opposite direction.

Even the return of the Golan will not change Syria's attitude to Israel. This is wishful thinking in it's most basic and misleading form.

Syria is NOt interested in peace with Israel. A country that habitually characterizes Israelis as "criminality flowing through their veins" (see jpost article), is not ready to stop its hatred. There is peace with Syria right now: a cessation of violence. That's as good as it gets. Without the Golan Heights, Israel will be at the mercy of a hostile country once more that could shell any part of Israel in firing range etc etc etc. Lieberman is right make clear that the Golan will be retained as part of Israel. End of story.