June 8, 2007

DID ANYONE ASK THE GOLANESE?:

Olmert 'offers Golan Heights in peace deal' (Rory McCarthy, June 8, 2007, Guardian Unlimited

In return, Israel wants Syria to end its support for Iran, Hizbullah and armed Palestinian groups. A number of Palestinian groups have leaders based in Damascus, including notably Khaled Meshal, head of the Hamas political bureau.

According to the Yedioth Ahronoth newspaper, Mr Olmert spoke by for an hour by telephone to George Bush on April 24 and told him he wanted to restart talks with the Syrians. Previously, the US administration has been opposed to such contact because of its criticisms of Syria's role in the Iraq insurgency and support for Hizbullah.

Mr Olmert then sent a secret message to the Syrians through German and Turkish officials, the newspaper said. "I would like to hear from you whether, in exchange for an Israeli withdrawal from the Golan Heights, Syria would be willing to fulfill its part: To gradually dissolve its alliances with Iran, Hizbullah and the Palestinian terror organizations, and to stop financing and encouraging terror," the paper quoted Mr Olmert as saying.


This one was baked in when the military determined several years ago that the Golan wasn't integral to defending the nation from Syria.

Posted by Orrin Judd at June 8, 2007 11:04 AM
Comments

Insanity. They should give the Golan back when Syria holds its first democratic elections.

Posted by: b at June 8, 2007 11:41 AM

gradually dissolve

in 10 years, 15 years? Or until Israel is out in the sea?

Posted by: ic at June 8, 2007 12:52 PM

The problem with deals like these is that Israel surrenders something tangible that cannot be taken back in exchange for Syrai ceasing behavior that can easily be resumed.

Syria can take the Golan now, promise to end support for terrorism, and then begin supporting it again whenever they feel like. Especially since Syria is a dictatorship, there are no sort of controls or monitors. All you have is the credibility of Assad.

Posted by: Chris Durnell at June 8, 2007 1:07 PM

According to oj, Israel gives back territory because they can't hold on to it. Is this another example of that?

Posted by: erp at June 8, 2007 1:11 PM

Ah! The old "I'll gladly pay you Tuesday for a hamburger today" approach to diplomacy.

Posted by: Rick T. at June 8, 2007 1:29 PM

All Israel would have to do to hold it is force a referendum.

Posted by: oj at June 8, 2007 2:16 PM
« JUST ONE SURPRISE AFTER ANOTHER WITH HIM: | Main | POTEMKIN SCRAPHEAPS: »