Israeli talks bid

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his aides have made statements in recent days, expressing a readiness to resume peace talks with Syria without pre-conditions and without a commitment to withdraw from the Golan Heights.

Referring to the plateau that Israeli forces captured in the 1967 Arab-Israeli War, the UN Security Council Resolution 242 rules out the occupation of land taken by force and "demands that Israel withdraw completely."

Although Syria has repeatedly rejected Israeli offers for resuming peace talks without pre-conditions, Netanyahu keeps on his daily maneuvers, thinking that he can convince Syria to respond...

If Israel refuses to withdraw, citing security and water pretexts, why should we negotiate?

The Golan has always been Syrian land and Syria fought the great October (1973) war to liberate it, sacrificing thousands of martyrs. There are also 100,000 displaced people who were forced by the Israeli Army to leave their homes and are waiting for the day they can return to the Golan and regain their properties.

Is it reasonable that Syria sacrifice its land and people's rights on the altar of Netanyahu's expansionist ambitions?"

Syria will not neglect any serious and positive initiative.

The former Israeli prime minister, Shimon Peres, has described Netanyahu's call as a joke and asked: 'With whom Netanyahu will negotiate? With himself, as he has told Syria in advance of his refusal to withdraw from the Golan and respect peace requirements.'

-- Tishrin daily, Damascus