Israel and Syria are scheduled to resume negotiations in Turkey this week, with efforts being focused on entering into direct talks — without Turkish third-party mediation.

Chief negotiator Dr. Yoram Turbowitz and senior political advisor to Prime Minister Olmert, Shalom Turjeman, will travel to Istanbul this week for the fourth round of talks between Yerushalayim and Damascus. According to a Yediot Achronot report, senior Jerusalem officials are expressing “cautious optimism” regarding such a possibility.

Officials point out this is the first round of talks since the two leaders were attending the conference in Paris, but Syrian President Bashar al-Assad shunned any attempt by PM Olmert to make direct contact in Paris.

In addition, senior Syrian officials continue releasing statements that Syria will never relinquish its demand that Israel agree to a total unconditional withdrawal of the entire Golan Heights as a precondition to direct talks.

(Yechiel Spira – YWN Israel)