The missiles are coming

Well said - The most irrational country in the world for the last 43 years is Israel. A normal person or rational country will give back the land it occupies and live in peace - but no not Israel - it still hangs on to Golan heights - some parts of Lebanon and almost all of Palestine. The joke is it says it want peace. What peace it is talking about ?????

Well said - The most irrational country in the world for the last 43 years is Israel. A normal person or rational country will give back the land it occupies and live in peace - but no not Israel - it still hangs on to Golan heights - some parts of Lebanon and almost all of Palestine. The joke is it says it want peace. What peace it is talking about ?????

Were the Golan not a strategic height, Syria would never have lobbed rockets down on kibbutzim and Israelis in the Galil. In 1948 Israel lost the Golan to Syria. Syria then used the Golan to continuously attack Israel. Syria may believe they have a legitimate claim to the Golan, but their claim is not historic nor considering their past is it legitimate. Perhaps the real solution is a shared Golan with a no-mans land governed by UN troops.

Zvi, you draw circles for the three types of missiles that would hit TelAiv now, that is whilst the Golan is in Israeli hands. Then, you get commenter after commenter saying that giving Syria the Golan would bring the missiles nearer to Israel! Their thinking is insane! The missiles are close enough already! They'll get closer when they are more powerful regardless of whether the Golan goes to Syria or not. It is not the distance between the rocket site and Israel which matters. It is the willingness of Syria, Iran and Hezbollah to use them. If giving Golan to Syria reduces this willingness to use missiles, then Golan should NOT remain in Israel's hands. If the missiles contain anthrax or poisonous gas or are small, easily purchased nuclear weapons, then what value, for goodness sake, is the continued possesion of Golan to Israel?

so giving land results in a reduction of attacks and violence. Tell that to the residents of Sderot or all northern residents near the Lebanese border. When will the left wake up. Our neighbors prove themselves to be what they are not what we wish they were. How will we protect ourselves when the Syrians sit on the heights?

The reason they may be coming is not the just the Golan Heights. It is the continuing occupation of Palestine by the Zionist entity. OK, I am switching back to non-Hamas language. What I am trying to say is that the only way to appease Israel's enemies is for Jews to go somewhere else. If Jews do not want to do this, the only other alternative is to able to defend themselves.

If the 1948 border is re-established with Syria, why not with the Palestinians. Israel's declared sovereign borders are those established in 1948. All territory since captured in war is under belligerent occupation.

When Moshe Dayan confesses in Yediot Aharnot (1997)that the Golan was seized for its agricultural value,and Israel then promptly moved in settlers,all this back and forth is pure nonsense. You can't steal from people and then whine about having no partner for peace. The Jewish people have a cultural blind spot here. Stealing land is SO obvious a character defect.

If Israel gave up Golan heights the missiles would be sitting there right now. Just keep pounding Islam back to the stone ages where they belong. Don't let them get nukes. Carry out all threats. It's the only way for your survival. There will never be any peace with dictators in Iran and Syria, all they want is your destruction.

Generally speaking with all things being equal your are quit correct. But the assumption that the govts of the countries around Israel in suing for peace and a negotiated settlement, will be able to have the terrorist groups they harbor, abide by the deal is difficult to comprehend. To believe antisemitism will go away with a peace deal is to dwell in the realm of Lord Chamberlain, That we have peace in our time. Sadat sued for peace and he was killed. being an infidel means your being lied to! Arabs have no moral obligation to tell you the truth. Unfortunately all paths lead to war, it's what the real powers at be want. It's just a matter of time. if you call for peace and safety sudden destruction will come.

You were attacked from those occupied territories! Israel has also been more than willing to seek peace with it's neighbors (i.e. Egypt). Those neighbors do not want peace they want Israel destroyed!!

Come on Zvi: If Israel gave up the Golan, Syria would lauch missiles as soon as they got the Golan back. If you are surrounded by bad guys one must prepare for the biggest and baddest and smack anyone that stick his nose out. Continue giving up land won at great price is a death wish in Israeli's case.

I agree, but I wonder at the same time what progress has Israel made after the Gaza disengagement five years ago ? 8000 misiles and an increase in the anti-semitism events worldwide

Once again we see that the extreme left have no answers just suicidal suggestions that are based on fear and self loathing.

Has the Isreal ever realy tried to engage in Peace with its neibhours? Its high time to give PEACE a chance! the threats and deterrance may not work forever...you need to be realistic to see the outer world...things get change and change is innevitable...

Sorry to tell that you are really dumm because you seem not to perceive what Syria is after all those years. After re-getting the Golan, syria will harrass Israel more painfully, whatever the plan between the 2 countries. Beware!

if you give golan,you land in presure suriah lebanon(hizbulah)gaza(hamas)t westbank(palestine) in sun tzu you enemy any where,if you want survival do not give if you in attack again war limited war,superior war(land,air,sea)and total war (use you secret weapon)you out gaza lebanon south in stabilatasi in your counrty,if want peace you need back up like eroupa,usa,rusia.do not attack while first attack,iff the attack first ocupation land like lebaanon sourth or gaza

We must analyze intentions of the "players." Syria is interested in "Greater Syria" including Lebanon, the Golan and Northern Israel. An old dream of theirs. No other Arab regime could sit by and let the Syrians make gains without cutting them in. The Egyptians were strong enough to do this, with American support, in diplomatically regaining the Sinai, excluding the Gaza strip. The Iranians want hegemony in the Middle East. They are also in a position through their Shiite Islamic courts to declare the Alawaites as non Muslims. This would lead to support for the overthrow of this group. Israel is seen as an undesirable interloper in the region. It is tolerated, by some, because no combination of powers has yet been able to make it disappear. The missiles will be coming even if the Golan was back in Syrian control. Therefore even any limited value it may have as a buffer or contribution to a slightly earlier warning of incoming missiles has value for Israel. The whole situation is irrational and that is a fact.

Israel's politicians are neither sane or rational.

Returning the Golan would have only made partial sense if Syria was a "normal" country that repented of its past aggressions against Israel and showed proof that it wanted a meaningful peace treaty with her. However, now with a "like father like son, but cowardly" leader whose compromised, boastful feet are squarely in Iran's and Hezbollah's camps regarding attitudes and designs towards Israel, giving up the Golan to Syria is both ludicrous and suicidal. It is akin to handing back the switchblade to a crocodile-tearful, unrepentant assassin that you forcefully disarmed after receiving some deep gashes and handing it back to him by the blood-stained blade knowing full well that his new brawny friends he's hanging out with have cold steely eyed plans for pulling off a brute-force home invasion, yours!

I would like to hear the "leftist" who will explain why this sort of "Disengagement" didn't work in Gaza and what will be different this time. At the same time, Globalization is going to make maintaining the State of Israel economically impossible. And, unless something changes the political environment, and soon, the pressure to force you to commit to disastrous policies, inimical to the protection of your people.

To return the Golan on Syrian terms ( all the way to the shores of Kinneret is foolish. Any return of land is not reducing the threats from Syria or Hezbollah. Israel has to be strong and have save borders. Its neighbors cannot be trusted. Chris

You have your head in the clouds sir. Giving up the Golan would only bring the missiles closer. It didn't work for Neville Chamberlain, and it wouldn't for Israel either.

It is not about missiles. It is about water and the fact that the Golan was Jewish long before it was Syrian.

Israel is not threatening any of its surrounding neighbors with annihilation! So why distort the facts in this article? (If anyone should be waking up in a cold sweat.....)That's liberal propaganda.

Harretz limits the number of postings from those who disagree with Israel's policies. I am drifting away from reading it.

After Barak withdrew from Lebanon in 2000, no part of Lebanon was occupied by Israel. Shaba Farms was held by Syria rather than Lebanon prior to the Israeli conquest of Shaba Farms in 1967.

Israel shouldn't give anything back to any one. They got that land fair and square. Before WW2 European countries gave into Hitler's demands to prevent war. That just made him think he could get away with anything so he invaded Poland and started WW2. Same thing Syria or any arabic nation will do if Israel starts to give into their demands.

They attacked and lost it. War changes boundaries. The truth is, if they attack again, chances are the next negotiation will be over returning Damascus.

If Assad wants peace he should offer full and immediate normalization of relations with Israel in exchange for the peaceful return of the Golan Heights. From Israel`s point of view, that`s a deal worth taking and Syria has nothing to lose. You fight wars for peace, not for territory. The Golan does not belong to Israel. If Israel achieves peace with Syria by returning the Golan Heights and getting complete normalization and peace with open borders in return, (like the US has with Canada, for instance), it will have accomplished its goals. Or is this too sensible?

Were you born stupid or take a pill for it every morning?

"But despite strong backing for Hezbollah, Syria remained keen to strike a peace deal with Israel... A political settlement with Israel is high on Syria's list of priorities and intelligence shows a will to reach an agreement – but on their terms, meaning a return of the Golan Heights and American involvement" [Brig. Gen. Baidatz of MI] said." - Haaretz One would think such an analysis, and others over the years, would lead to one simple conclusion: Get Syria out of Iran`s orbit and make peace with it. This will bring an end to military Hizballah and also bring peace with Lebanon. Syria`s close alliance with Iran is not natural. Syria is secular, Iran fundamentalist. Syria is an Arab state, Iran Persian (long time no friends). Syria is mostly Sunni, Iran Shiite. Syria used to be friendly to the US, since they joined the coalition against Saddam in the 1991 war. Jim Baker visited Syria 15 times. After the 9-11 attacks Syria helped the US in hunting al-Qaida, even to the extent of torturing some on behalf of the CIA. But Syria continued to support Hizballah as pressure against Israel. However, Bush had larger (and confused) ambitions, so he made Hizballah one of his targets. Syria, as their supporter, became "evil", and Israel can now use this excuse to refrain from dealing with Syria and maintain its hold over the Golan. There is a price to the Israeli reluctance to talk peace with Syria. Since 1973, when Egypt got out of the Israeli-Arab conflict, Syria tried to cause trouble only indirectly, so as not to be attacked itself. Israel, though had to go to war twice already, in Lebanon, in 1982 and 2006. Another one is expected. All these were indirect Syrian wars. But now, Syria is willing to repeat the Hizballah strategy and engage Israel in its own war, perhaps as part of a larger war led by Iran.

The tenor of talkbacks — I want to make a meta-comment for a sec — is, "I don't agree with you..." and then immediately, "you're crazy!" Can we discuss things on their merits? This appears key: "Indeed, there is a balance of terror between Israel and its neighbors, whose purpose is deterrence. That's what every rational country does when it feels threatened and can't find a nonmilitary alternative. No doubt, Israel is threatened, but so are Syria, Lebanon, the Gaza Strip and the West Bank." Is anything in that statement incorrect? Please tell me, the louder and angrier the better. Also, the Golan does not appear to be Israel's only deterrent. Israel has nuclear weapons; again, not in dispute. Logically speaking if it came to returning the Golan and finally securing peace, does anyone really mean to say that they'd prefer unending war? Israel is the powerful military power in the region. Let's be real here.

Golan Heights were a part of the Palestine Mandate given to the Brits by the League of Nations in 1922. The condition was that Brits had no right to transfer any part of its mandate to any other power. In 1923, Brits, in flagrant violation of the signed agreement, transfered the Golans to the French in exchange for Mosul. The French later included the Heights into Syria. Thus, Syria illegally obtained stolen property. Why should they get it back from the legitimate owners? Let them have Mosul.

Barel thinks that the only way to avoid war is to dismantle the State of Israel. If he ever took the time to leave Schocken Street, he'd understand that Syria has claims on all of Syria-Palestine.

Are you assuming rational thinking and process from Iran?

I am totally perplexed why grown men have such defeatest, surrendering, capitulating, cowardly attitudes toward our sworn enemies. are we talking about Mexicans, Canadians, or even Cubans. NO! countries that are fueling wars of incitement and missle building against Israel are portrayed to Jews as fair negotiators willing to make peace with Israel as soon as we give into each country's demand. What kind of disorders do Haaretz employees have. they must get paid quite a lot to write such foolish propaganda. Perhaps there is a NIF connection- the unofficial spokesmen of the anti-Israel left. When guns are pointing at your head, you have to be suffering from some disorder that makes you not want to defend yourself. Haaretz does the nation of Israel a big favor by encouraging the population to follow any route & advice except theirs- which goes against the interests of Israel.

So if they threaten us with a war, we should give them what they want and pacify them. By all means we should avoid a war. Chamberlain 1940 . Probably not an exact citation but very close in spirit. And very close to what defeatist author of this article is proposing. It's funny that this article appears on 9th of May , exactly 65 years after Nazi Germany was defeated by the allies. No lessons were learnt by some, it seems. Still there are others who can see a defeatist for what he is.

they had targeted our cities and now with new technologies will be even more easier. Do we need enemies when we have such a kind of genius writing and speaking for us?

Israel should give back the Golan...and, the United States should give back California, Arizona, New Mexico, Texas, Hawaii, Utah, Puerto Rico, Samoa, etc. And, Great Britain should give back the Maldives , and return Independence to Scotland and Wales.

It worked once, kind of, with Egypt. A cold peace, they call it, with possible threats down the road. But since 1973 there have been no hostilities with Egypt. Can the same happen with Syria? Are there sufficient parallels between Syrian and Egypt to justify entering into a relationship? Well, maybe, maybe not. But treaties are not created without maximizing safeguards. On the other hand, could a preemptive war with Syrian/Hezbollah delay their destructive capabilities and send a message to Iran at the same time? Perhaps. It is worthwhile in order to hold onto the Golan? Don't know. All I do know is that this has long been part of the mess.

Israel is apparently NOT interested in peace, and that's the underlying problem. Everything you've said is absolutely correct, and much of it is what's driving the American and European efforts in the Middle-East. But as long as Israel isn't necessarily interested in peace, nothing will come of any of it. Funny that you mention the fear of asking the army for its assessment, because you're absolutely right: it WOULD be likely to recommend a diplomatic path. It's already hinted at its security based preferences for peace with Syria on more than one occasion. Isn't it ironic that the information people most widely receive comes from politically biased sources in the government, while 'real' security assessments from the "horse's mouth", so to speak, are generally subverted and largely kept from the public?

"The missiles are coming ! The missiles are coming!" sounds like Chicken Little's "The sky is falling! The sky is falling !" Only in this case the crier is a real 'chicken' in the truest sense of the word.

Just following his logic: "Any rational country when faces a missiles threat should try to save itself by giving away the point of contention". Fine. Now let's prove that this is a fallacy ad absurdo. "Giving away the Golans will only increase the missiles threat, as the launching pads will be so much closer to Tel-Aviv, and the point of contention will continue existing - the rest of Israel instead of the Golans". Therefore, either do not give away the Golans, as the new situation will be worse, or follow the logic of Herr Professor to the end and brace yourself to giving the entire land. Some professor...

Well, history is repeating itself with the rational of this article. Chamberlain thought the same way and sought a policy of appeasement. Look where that took the Jews to.

you won't find it in an enemy who sees you as scared,and you are,so the best thing you can do is be quiet and let the men do what they have to.

Remember, your enemies are like fire, they never say "Enough."

Moshe Dayan in his memoirs repeatedly warned a continuation of the occupation of the Golan will bring war. The problem seems to be Netanyahou is willing to pay the price with the blood of Israelis. You can send Syria back to the stone age, where Gaza is now, how does that solve the problem.

Syria can wait until the Palestinian peace is accomplished. If Israel starts with Syria, Damascus will be duty-bound to make demands in behalf of the Palestinians, thereby only complicating the process and reducing its likelihood of success.

Really...hasSyria done anything to get back the Golan? When Barak offered it back short of the Kinneret, they said no and claimed the Kinneret was theirs. Am I am sure their building an atomic reactor had everything to do with the Golan and nothing to do with Israel proper. I am also sure that if they only got back the Golan, they would disassemble each and every missle and Scud they have.

In order to have peace with Egypt and Jordan, Israel was required to withdraw from all of their Sovereign territories BEFORE normal relations resumed. --- UNSC Res 1701 tells us that the war was between Israel and Hezbollah, NOT the state of Lebanon. By not having the Lebanese military engage with Israel, Israel cannot gain territory for strategic advantage and then claim it for defense against the STATE of Lebanon, because the war was not against the State of Lebanon. Israel was required to withdraw and the Lebanese Military was requested to be DEPLOYED into the areas Hezbollah operate, WITH UN help.

I don't know. This whole arrangement with the arms and everything has been based on the old Cold War between the Russians and the United States. Now things are changing. It looks like the challenges are going to be more internal. Religious Extremists and Anarchists angry about the new austerity and credit situations. Lone terrorists. Possibly, you'll have to return land for peace with Syria. Maybe. Iran? They're crazy but... I don't know if I can say this now. They're not going to last. No matter what they do, it's Mother Nature that's going to stop them. They live on top of a volcano that's going to explode and then the entire country is just going to cave in. Just like that. That's the top secret thing that nobody wanted to talk about. It's why they're so crazy right now. Hard to know exactly what happens between now and then. Dangerous actually. It's something that nobody can control. The things between Syria and Israel. They're controllable.

Israel will need it's army, to fight in the next war. The Air Force alone, cannot do the job. The Air Force should be used over Damascus - not small villages in Lebanon. Let the fascist nepotistic minority military dictatorship of Syria, pay the price for supporting both Iran and Hezbollah. Appeasement will never work in the Middle East - the writer of the article has no clue.

Israel will need it's army, to fight in the next war. The Air Force alone, cannot do the job. The Air Force should be used over Damascus - not small villages in Lebanon. Let the fascist nepotistic minority military dictatorship of Syria, pay the price for supporting both Iran and Hezbollah. Appeasement will never work in the Middle East - the writer of the article has no clue.

Israel will need it's army, to fight in the next war. The Air Force alone, cannot do the job. The Air Force should be used over Damascus - not small villages in Lebanon. Let the fascist nepotistic minority military dictatorship of Syria, pay the price for supporting both Iran and Hezbollah. Appeasement will never work in the Middle East - the writer of the article has no clue.

aND SO AND SO TILL WE LIVE ALL THE JEWS IN hETZELIA... then the world will love us.....

Possession of the Golan Heights prevents war. Damascus is only 40 miles away on level territory. Return the heights and Israel will have to fight its way up the heights again. And then there is the obvious argument--withdrawal from Gaza and Lebanon has led to war since they are interpreted as a sign of weakness.

Take courage oh Israel, i know you are weary, but take heart, stand upon HIS eternal promise, do not lean upon your limited viewpoint. again i say stand

Does Zvi think that his mathamatic is correct? Does he think that the skilled IDF has not done its calculations & will allow this country be a sitting duck? Dont be naieve. What do uou know about the Iron Dome or the Arrow 3 program? You think that you are an expert by making such unjustified & unprofessional comments, it is unprofessional & dangereous in this day and age so please, stay away from this topic.

Take courage oh Israel, i know you are weary, but take heart, stand upon HIS eternal promise, do not lean upon your limited viewpoint. again i say stand

Israel will be making the biggest mistake by ever giving Golan back as the strategic heights are a strong defence against the aggressive Syrians. Why not ask China to return Tibet and parts of India annexed by them or for that matter ask Pakistan to return parts of Kashmir captured by them. Israels strength is in retaining the Golan heights at any cost. GOD BLESS THE IDF.

Given that there were attacks on Israel before 1967, why would any sane, intelligent person believe that they will stop if Israel allow Syria to occupy the Golan Heights?

"But despite strong backing for Hezbollah, Syria remained keen to strike a peace deal with Israel... A political settlement with Israel is high on Syria's list of priorities and intelligence shows a will to reach an agreement – but on their terms, meaning a return of the Golan Heights and American involvement" [Brig. Gen. Baidatz of MI] said." - Haaretz One would think such an analysis, and others over the years, would lead to one simple conclusion: Get Syria out of Iran`s orbit and make peace with it. This will bring an end to military Hizballah and also bring peace with Lebanon. Syria`s close alliance with Iran is not natural. Syria is secular, Iran fundamentalist. Syria is an Arab state, Iran Persian (long time no friends). Syria is mostly Sunni, Iran Shiite. Syria used to be friendly to the US, since they joined the coalition against Saddam in the 1991 war. Jim Baker visited Syria 15 times. After the 9-11 attacks Syria helped the US in hunting al-Qaida, even to the extent of torturing some on behalf of the CIA. But Syria continued to support Hizballah as pressure against Israel. However, Bush had larger (and confused) ambitions, so he made Hizballah one of his targets. Syria, as their supporter, became "evil", and Israel can now use this excuse to refrain from dealing with Syria and maintain its hold over the Golan. There is a price to the Israeli reluctance to talk peace with Syria. Since 1973, when Egypt got out of the Israeli-Arab conflict, Syria tried to cause trouble only indirectly, so as not to be attacked itself. Israel, though had to go to war twice already, in Lebanon, in 1982 and 2006. Another one is expected. All these were indirect Syrian wars. But now, Syria is willing to repeat the Hizballah strategy and engage Israel in its own war, perhaps as part of a larger war led by Iran.

In case you forgot, Syria already had the Golan in the past, and it was happy to attack us anyway. You think it might be different now? There's no need to speculate or experiment on this. Mr. Bar'el, it already happened! We've been down that road. There's a name for a person who does the same thing and expects different results. Similarly, we were attacked even when we didn't have the Old City and East Jerusalem, Judea, Samaria, Gaza, and when there were no settlements ... yet these things are now labeled Obstacles To Peace, Catalysts For War. In reality, they're only Excuses. The Arabs' monstrous hatred of us existed before, and it will exist after. Treaties are pieces of paper, but hatred permeates their minds and cultures. Don't embolden them.

wake up man...returning the golan does nothing but bring the syrians closer with the advantage of height. Besides, syria won't change a thing. oh they'll talk a good game for western ears, but that's all. Does this author REALLY believe if we give back the golan that syria will change? hamas will be unwelcome there? they will cut relations with iran? stop supplying hezbollah? really? do you believe this bar'el? or is this merely what you HOPE will happen...you gotta love the left..."we love you israel but if you would just do this ...if you would just do that...." LOL....

Had we have your way back in the 60s, Israel would have been no longer. Would I agree to give back the Golan? No way. I don't care whether the missiles are coming like the artillery shells from 1948 to 1967. Enough paying Olmert' mistakes. I do want to make sure this time we go after the right guys: Bashar and his gang. No way we will give back the Golan. No

He is smoking something different...

sooner or later that's where this is going.

Arabs have already stated land for peace. Give back the land and you will have peace. Someone is not listening.

We as Muslims do not have a problem with Jews, If as Zvi Bar'el mentioned that the occupied land is returned then there will be no reason for war. A lot of people comment that Giving the land back will not bring Piece ( The Gaza story) But they seem to forget the Suez and Eygpt (the closest Arab Ally)

...Syria took a very active part in the Muslim-Arab coalitions that initiated both wars whose aim was to wipe Israel off the face of earth. And instead of negotiating with Israel until 1973, Syria, together with a number of Muslim-Arab states, refused to accept UN Security Council Resolution 242 that was the principal UN resolution that was to resolve the Arab Israeli conflict; the reason: UN Security Council Resolution 242 recognizes the FACT that Israel's exists, not even its RIGHT to do so. Perhaps it is time to direct demands and questions to the Muslim-Arab side with regard to questions of war and peace in this region instead of harping time and again on tiny Israel which simply tries to survive and to thrive in the Jewish people's ancestral homeland, including the Golan incidentally!

אתה כותב: No doubt, Israel is threatened, but so are Syria, Lebanon, the Gaza Strip and the West Bank. It's enough to listen to Israel's threats to "take Syria back to the Stone Age," "destroy Lebanon's civilian infrastructure" or smash Hamas to understand that the style of the Israeli threat approaches that of Iran. If anyone should be waking up in the morning in a cold sweat, it's the Lebanese, Syrians and Gazans, not the Israelis. ואני אומר שכל האיומים הללו(חלקם של ליברמן) הרי לא באו אלא בגלל התבטאויות של הצד השני לגבינו. כל מיני התקפות מהצד השני כלפינו. כידוע לכל, ישראל לא מעוניינת במלחמה באופן כללי. אף אחד כאן לא שש אלי קרב כל הזמן. במילים אחרות, כמו שקראתי השבת באיזו כתבה: אם לערבים לא יהיה נשק, לא תהיה מלחמה אתם, אבל אם לישראל לא יהיה נשק, לא תהיה מדינת ישראל וזה כל העניין.

The author is delusional in thinking that Syria would hold to a signed declaration of peace and her anymosity to Israel and Jews would cease. What are you smoking?

Syria shamly lost the Golan where there is no real population problem like there is with the west bank. All the reasons given by the article are not relevant because I think that we should not give away our disputed territory to desactivate a regional crisis at a specific point in time. It would have a temporary effect and after we don't have anymore joker to play.

they would regain the moral high ground

they would regain the moral high ground

Zvi Bar'el thinks Israel should pull out form the Golan because he beleives that once the Syrians have the Golan that they would never go to war against us. I use the term "beleif" because Bar'el isn't taking astand based on logic but on what is tnatamount to a religious beleif that withdrawal will bring utopian peace. Here's the irony: the Left camp that Bar'el is associated with has traditionaly attributed wars in other countries to motives of the leaders that are not directly associated with the conflict. Yet when it comes to a post-Golan withdrawal world, Bar'el doesn't consider the possibility that any of a number of interests could cause Syria to launch a war against us (for example, to divert public attention from dimestic problems) even if it had 100% of the Golan.

could be there an alternative solution to give that lands to the Drus comunity?, no israel or syria, just the people that lives there?

could be there an alternative solution to give that lans to the Drus comunity?, no israel or syria, just the people that lives there?

The author has no spine

Giving up land will not bring Israel anything except more terror. Be strong and resist the enemy because they will not stop till you are driven into the sea. Obama will try to get you to surrender your nukes and he will protect you, don't trust him.

The best way to finish off the the conflict in the north is not to give up the Golan but to teach Syria a lesson. Next time there is a single rocket fired by Hizbollah then there should be a full scale invasion of Syria rather than Lebanon, cut off the snakes head. Take territory and then return it ( not the Golan ) for a ceasefire and then you say to Assad we are not going to continue to punish Lebanon for your wars now next time Hizbollah fire rockets provided by you onto Israel we will hit Syria. Most of Syrias hardware is from the 70s & early 80s so no match for the IDF. A large part of their navel forces took part in the 1967 war. Israel should aim for a very short war with Syria the intention to teach Assad a painful lesson and hopefully make him think twice about supporting terrorists in future be it Hizbollah or Hamas. Just giving away territory doesn't tell the enemy that its peace you want it says I am just weak and it will allow Assad to dictate all terms which will cost Israel heavily. If you retaliate and hit the enemy next time their proxy army attack Israel that says we want peace but we are not scared to go to war so its up to you to decide if you want war or peace.

We have had this nonsensical discussions before.Have we not said time and again how important the Golan is for our safety? Let's do the math: Since we acquired Golan by blood sweat and TEARS,the population in the North are now enjoing quieter life.Kiriyat Shmone is not receiving daily rockets and the people do live mainly in shelters(as they do now in Sderot) as an example.We have the panoramic view whereby we can quickly detect of any incurtion of the enemy who may be trying to cross over. I think Mr.B'arel we have had enough of the constant regurgitation of this subject. I,and many of our good and sensible Jews(also the Druze by the way)will never agree to relinquish Golan EVER.

We have had this nonsensical discussions before.Have we not said time and again how important the Golan is for our safety? Let's do the math: Since we acquired Golan by blood sweat and TEARS,the population in the North are now enjoing quieter life.Kiriyat Shmone is not receiving daily rockets and the people do live mainly in shelters(as they do now in Sderot) as an example.We have the panoramic view whereby we can quickly detect of any incurtion of the enemy who may be trying to cross over. I think Mr.B'arel we have had enough of the constant regurgitation of this subject. I,and many of our good and sensible Jews(also the Druze by the way)will never agree to relinquish Golan EVER.

will take it as a sign of weakness and grow bolder.

Why shoudld returning the Golan stop Syria's agressive attitude towards Israel? Did they ever suggested that they would make peace if the Golan was returned. Didn't they attack Israel before they lost the Golan to it? And how peace with Syria would stop Hizballah agressivity? It will slow its rearming but certainly not stop it. Destruction of civilian infrastructure is a war crime, but cannot be compared to genocide, which is what Iran promised or 'predicted'.

so, what would you suggest to, if Syria gets the Golan and settles it with 1 million Syrians and a large army threatening the Galil ?

After Israel returns the Golan, wthdraws from the West Bank, and gives territory to Lebanon, the next stage to avoid war would be to take down the Israeli flag return Jaffa, Haifa, Tel-Aviv, etc. to Palestinian control and dismantle the Israeli government. That will certainly stop all Arab Israeli wars, however, it will bring on another holocast of the Jews.

Geniuses Incorp is back! Dear Zvi, I'll teach you different mathematics. If you give the whole of Israel over to the Arabs, i. e. Israel = 0, do you think that their anti-Semitism will disappear? No! Because it existed long before Israel was even created.

you make the incorrect statement that giving back the golan will promote peace you look old enough to know the recent history of the golan. it was war that got Israel the golan stupido not the other way round

Israel must never return Golan. T do so will be a prelude to war, or a certain defeat of Israel via Syrian Golan forces. No one wanting peace would ask for the pary to surrender a vital defensive border. It is double speak and the Jews had better snap out of their delusion. A lie repeated becomes part of the narrative. Israel is a enabling the enemies fraudulent narrative.

Good analysis. But who listen and understand. As you guys gave Sinai to Egypt and got peace. Give other lands and you will get peace and even more cultural, economic and security relations with Arabic countries. Why always stand a step behind and not to give a start to solve the problem. Break the psychological wall before the cement wall.

A simple but true observation. I hope Israel takes the steps to allow fair diplomacy before another war happens.

pure nonsense...

Just like giving back Gaza also stoped the threat of rocket attacks... right?

Your stance is very interesting because it suggests returning the Golan Heights would instantaneously end the threat of rockets/missiles from the North, when it reality, there is far more evidence that it would only increase said threat. The only legitimate claim could be that returning the Golan Heights with American mediation would ensure no further attacks from the North, but even that is a bit naive from an historical perspective. Also, all the quotes you mentioned about Israel attacking Syria were all responses to threats. I think most people know if they would stop amassing weapons 24/7 and threatening Israel, Israel would have no reason to attack and waste its $, resources, and soldiers' lives, and the Syrians can wake up every morning in peace.

I had tried to explain the importance of arithmetics and geometry by making some comparisons when Ayalon unnecessarily bullied turks. It is clear that Syria`s policies towards Israel are not based on aggression but deterrence. So It is logical to say that Israel`s decisions and policies shape the ones of Syria. That`s why, when Netenyahu claims there is no need for mediation, Syria insists on indirect talks as he seeks a kind of warranty from a third part. Because he believes that Syria is the weaker side in the negotiations. Israel will decide for peace or status quo in the region. Keeping the status quo is favorable for Israel government. But it is getting harder for Israel and its side effects are tougher.

Its the quitest border Israel has for 37 years, It would be foolish to relinquish the Golan. Barak made the mistake of leaving Lebanon unilaterally so there was a vacuum an Hezballah moved in. The wise thing would have been to annex southern Lebabnon and give it to Syria in exchange for the Golan. Barak made a grave mistake and Olmert and the IDF apparently erred in the Lebanon war as well. Missiles are problematic but If they shoot them Turn Bierut into Dresden.

That will create peace.

'But unlike Israel, which sees the threat but forgets the catalyst, each of its neighbors has territory under Israeli occupation, each has a legitimate national claim to get its occupied land back'. first, Zvi Bar'el forgot to mention 'territorial claims' of the non-neighboring iran, the threats of which he so vividly described just in the beginning. second, hizballah already declared no intention of getting rid of its weapons even after there will be no 'territorial claims' whatsoever. third, if a mere threat is enough to force israel to withdraw from the strategic golan plato, why change the approach that works. there will still be 'palestinian brothers' to help, then legitimate concerns of 'suffering' israeli arabs, etc. zvi bar'el has a hypothesis, it is not backed up by any facts or precedents. maybe it's enough to get a paycheck from haaretz but why should all of us pay for his 'analysis'.

Surrender the Golan to reduce the prospects of war, indeed. Then, to reduce the prospects further, surrender all other areas where hostile regimes have raised a "legitimate national claim to get [...] occupied land back" while refusing to settle the conflict. Then, on to these regimes' other demands: water sources, return of "refugees," territorial bridges, disarmament. Think of the potentia.

Fear as no place in Israel. The threat by Hezbolla Hamas and any other terrorist threat is valueless While the threat by Iran Syria and Libanon and a population and a real estate at risk So before the 3 countries act under their ambrellas against Israel They will calculate the cost and figure out that they will be the losers on the short long and ever time. The Iranians are no fools. The Syrians are equaly no fools And half of Libanon are Israel friends So think about it! Give up the Golan give up East Jerusalem give up the Jordan valley and who has lost and will be wipped out? Israel!

but i am afraid you are bound to get some abuse for asking the unaskable - "Can Israel give land back?" I agree with your view that peace cannot exist until Israel relinquishes land. This will no doubt keep the knee jerkers happy with their 'existential threats' and the theologans busy for some time. No doubt the religiously devout will also rant about 'this land was promised to us' Good luck either way

all this flaccid talk about giving it up is silly and comes from those prone to panic.

golan is that bird.giving it up for words and promises from syria is sheer folly.

as zvi bar'el implies.we have withdrawn to un demarcated borders.

our jets are more numerous then germany's the uk and france.so how would our neighbours react? they cannot match the iaf so they take the poor man's option of massing rockets.that does not mean they want war. we need not be afraid.

hizballah were devastated by the bombing of its beirut suburb at dahiyah.they are now armed to deter us from hitting them again.they do not mean to initiate a war. that may well be the case.so we need only to keep our counsel.and await developments.

our fire power is greater by several factors.lebanon has more to lose by going to war. our reaction should be to be armed and thus deter the enemy.hizballah is not suicidal.the shiites in lebanon broadcast their unhappiness at nasrallah's part in causing the 2006 war.they have been deterred.

would be for us to broadcast our fear.zvi bar'el please note.

would be for us to broadcast our fear.zvi bar'el please note.

Aren't you ignoring the fact that Israeli withdrawls up to this point haven't produced more security? Hezbollah isn't working to regain the Golan for Syria. They want Israeli to be destroyed plain and simple. What part of Lebanon does Israel occupy? Or Iran - their beef isn't the Palestinians or Iranian land. Same deal, they want to destroy Israel. Hamas is a different issue, but they are also for war not peace. The article just ignores all this - as if Israel's problems are easily solved by giving back the Golan. Say for a moment that Israel could ever really conclude a peace with Palestinians and withdraws to 67 lines and also gives back the Golan - do you really believe it ends there. Say there is even recognition by moderate Arab states -- a cold peace of a sort. Does it end there? Do Hezbollah and Hamas and Iran say " great, welcome to the neighborhood." Will the west then come to Israel's defense as the missiles continue to multiply? Maybe these fundamentalist movements have had success over the past decade because there has been too much Israeli acquiescence to the changing balance of power. The countries that host these ideologies have deep faith that the west will never let Israel sustain a long campaign against them. It is questionable whether the people of Israel have the desire to endure the hardships at any rate, and who can blame them. Of course there will be another war when Israel feels too threatened - but it won't be definitive or change anything really, because the countries who are planning for the fight want their people only to hate Israel - to hate it completely, even if it kills them.

To avoid losing land like the Golan Heights, try not to start wars. Seems they missed that lesson. Amazing huh?

zvi bar'el's handwringing is not the answer to a jewish nation that has been through so many trauma.if we back down then the same threat will be made with the same missiles.then where would we be?

no war broke out.they had weapons far more devastating then scuds and katyyshas.

and if Israel were to help the Palesitians back on their feet and spearhead a Middle East nuclear free zone…

The current Syrian regime needs Iran, Hamas, and Hizbullah way more than it needs the Golan Heights to survive. The Golan seems to be a great prize, but mainly in the sense that a child wants what another child has until he actually gets it and realizes it's not that great. Radical regimes that don't judge Assad for being a corrupt dictator who stamps out democracy with through powerful controls of information, secret police, and brute force--they are what the Syrian regime actually needs to stay alive.

Might peace with Syria neutralize the military threat from that country? The key word here "might". Might yes, might no. No more stupied politics believing to Asad and give him our strategical advantage.

Was the Golan conquered in 1967 because Israel wanted their own ski-resort? Or was it due to serious strategic danger for Israel? And did Syria turn into a reasonable state or do the threats continue till today in be it an other shape like the construction of a nuclear facility for development of WMD´s or rocket terror threats via the Syrian proxy Hezbollah. Whenever Syria becomes a peaceful and stable democracy I am sure they will find Israel willing in making territorial concessions.

give up the galilee to avoid war.and then further bow down to syria as lebanon does.where will this weak-kneeed reaction stop?

Just like Europe did in the 30's, giving Hitler what he wanted sure did stop the war.

You are kidding, right? You forgot already all the years Syria shot at Israeli towns and kibutzim from their positions on the Golan? We did'nt have the Golan - why were they shooting?? In the last 30 years the border has been QUIET with syria. Want it to remain QUIET? Keep the Golan. From up there we have a STRATEGIC advantage and not only can we see when their forces move on the ground, we can see planes taking off in Damascus. You are a bleeding heart left wing liberal just like Obama who believes if you make nice nice with Dictators they will make nice nice with you. This is NOT kindergarden!

I live in Canada and have a more indepth understanding of the middle east situation than Zvi Bar'el. The Golan Heights were lost because of the stupidity of the Arab nations that attacked Israel. You attack somebody and lose, you lose, get it? Syria is living in a constant state of unreality if they think even for a nanosecond that they will ever see the Golan Heights again....wake up man!!!! Get your head out of the sand! The truth is starring you in the face....good grief..........warm regards....Gregg Bowman

Dear Zvi, with due respect it seems that many Jews cannot grasp or too naive or in denial to the nature of the beast, namely the Palestians/Arabs. It has been and will be a case of if you give them a finger, they want a hand. The Israelis wanted to give them too much during days of Arafat and they declined. Do you really think by giving up the Golan Heights where many an Israeli soldier gave up his life would appease the Syrians. You and many Jews like you need a wake up call. Nothing will appease them. They fight amongst themselves and will still fight the Jews. The only language they understand is to be tough with them. Unfortunately that is the case. They, the Syrians will take the Golan Heights if the Israelis give it to them and still go their merry way to support the Iranians, Hezbollah etc. It is dangerous for Jews to think like you as it will bring more bloodshed to the Israelis. Their mentality is unlike ours, the quicker you get it, the better. The Jews are givers, the Arabs are takers. The more you give them the more they will want, just look at history for God's sake. Kind regards from someone who is not blind and sees it as it is.

You could probably convince me if you could show me Assad putting on a Yarmulke, declaring he was a Zionist, and kissing the Jewish Wall of the Temple, but outside of that, it ain't gonna happen. Go ahead and do want you want, but I wouldn't do it, short of the above. Maybe not even for those things. Ofcourse, all I got that concerns me are all the flies that I attract.

What territory is Israel occupying in Lebanon again? Didn't Israel already withdraw from there a decade ago, yet Hezbollah has still not ceased firing missiles. And as for Assad wanting peace, Obama has proven that he's not a die-hard supporter of Israel (although please, all you ignorant people out there save your Hussein-Radical-Muslim rants for your own blogs, this is for a serious conversation). Obama opened the door to Syria, and it proved that it is more interested in maintaining its position alongside Iran than with rejoining the world community in peace. And as for Hamas, they have been given the offer many times that if they would end their violent quest for Israel's destruction, they would be recognized and the blockade would end. Their refusal to live in peace is what brings the suffering down upon them and their people. However, I do agree with one thing in this article: the Israeli occupation of the West Bank has to end. Israel needs to take a hard line against those forces that seek to destroy it, but the PA at least appears to want peace. It may remain to be seen if they really do, but let's force their hand. Let's make offer and give them the opportunity to either accept them and get a state or reject them (again) and show the world that they are an extremist organization that cannot be trusted. Either way, such a strategy would help Israel's PR with the world, staving off these crazy boycott campaigns.

Analyst, my foot. One of the hear,see no evil but speak evil group of astute propagandists who keep trying to mislead common sense israelis into capitulation and destruction. These pundits of apologists seem to forget the original formula that brewed the wars against israel and continues to be brewing today. Nothing learned from our enemies who are sworn to our destruction. Syria does not have " a legitimate national claim" to the golan! It initiated a war and lost ! No other country would be so foolish to buy this bar'rel of baloney. To ignore reality and subject israel to potential destruction is a horrendous mind set owned by this 'analyst' and his comrades in harms. If syria wants peace, demonstrate it in peace, not threats. Simple enough! A nation that supplies other neighbors with weapons against israel is not ready for peace. How dumb do you ;think we are!!!

As long as Israelis who believe the only way Israel can survive is by keeping all the land it has gotten by whatever means, it is impossible to think of ceding back some of its holdings. The fact is that no matter whether all that territory is held or not, Israel is just not big enough to achieve security that way.

What they think of as legitimate go way beyond what this idiot thinks of as legitimate. Hezbollah has already brought up the question of formerly Shiite villages in Israel proper. The demands are not going to end just because Barel thinks they will.

Clearly the Lebanese and to a degree even the Syrians are under the Iranian thumb. You think the Iranians will give up so easily?

Revisionist history.

Zvi Bar'el must be pretty naive if he thinks that giving back the Golan Heights will solve anything. The worst possible scenario for Israel would be to relinquish the high ground. And since when could the Arabs be trusted for anything?

End of conflict, secure peace for Israel, then we can talk about the Golan Heights. Not one minute, not one second before. Syria is planning a surprise attack on the heights. This should be well known to most Israelis. If and when they attempt this, they will be dealt a severe blow. Most Israelis understand that if Israel loses the heights in this manner, if would encourage the Arab and Muslim armies to want to march on.

What will stop the "peaceful" neighbors from breaking their promises and attacking Israel? It could be that in several decades even the treaties with Egypt and Jordan will be broken. As Islamists made inroads in Turkey the popular opinion turned drastically against Israel, despite a lack of historic animosity. Islamists in Egypt and Jordan will come to power and will certainly go to war. Seems like a better approach is to completely abandon "piece" of paper for land policy and adopt as standard operating procedure the approach by which Israel forever keeps so many square kilometers of land for every Israeli killed in the event of hostilities started by its state and non-state adversaries.

The issue is not Golan. The issue is Syria acting as a Proxy. Syria cannot fight Israel, except support Hezbollah,Hamas and possibly other smaller splinter groups now converging on the territories. Syria does NOT want peace, sure, many will disagree. Syria cannot sign any peace agreement with Israel without the consent from Tehran. Now Turkey, wishes to once again act on behalf of..Typical maneuvering for a country hell bent on becoming a major player in the ME. The return of a quasi Ottoman Empire and The Great Persian Empire is on the charts. Good day from snowy Swiss Alps.

what changed Zvi? Someone told you "write it again or else"?

Telling the truth.That's why I love haaretz.

Get out your history books. The Golan was part of Syria for far less than it has been in Israel's hands. Giving land over to the Syrian state won't make them like Jews. They want to destroy Israel because there are Jews in Israel.

(End).

To avoid war Israel should give up not only Golan Heights but the rest of the country as well...

Haven't you people lived with the heathen amongst you long enough to realize that you will have peace only when you alone possess the land of Israel. There can never be a shared Israel. Don't give them back a square inch!

This was a good set of thoughts. It is nice to see that Jews are waking up and coming to their senses. More steps like this will go a long way.

And giving back the Golan will stop the missiles? It didn't work in Gaza and it won't work on the Golan. Past lessons of Gaza should teach us a lot. What is needed is for Syria to want peace and sadly they just don't.

This article is not worth commenting on. It's really sad that Zvi's opinion is shared by too many Israeli left. You just never learn from history.

Why not go back to pre-1948 lines to avoid a war that was waged by Arab countries at the time Israel was within these lines? An even better way to avoid a war with them would be to give up the whole country and go into exile. This way, we could be sure that there would be no war to grab something we have not anymore. Of course, after that, it could be that someone would try to take our lives anyway during a pogrom of some kind, a Dreyfus trial II, a Shoah II... Then, some Theodor Herzl II would come and dream about an independant country for the Jews... Maybe in Uganda or Khazakstan... And a Ben Gurion II would come and make that dream come true.

Why not return the entire state of israel. That way all the world's muslims will surely love us.

You're insane.

Very good article,and above all,with a lot of common sense,shalom and thank you! Greetings from Vancouver,Canada

Our enemies need to be defeated. We as Jews need to stop being pacifists. If we don't have any respect for ourselves as Jews, and our Holy Torah, the rest of the world will never have any respect for us, and rightly so...

We will not live in fear and allow intimidation to force to make bad decisions and give up land to our enemies. This form of appeasement based on fear has proved to bring more war and not peace. Do we need rockets falling from the Golan as well?