Syrian President Bashar al-Assad announced on Monday that he does not see any possibility of advancing diplomatic efforts with Israel until Jerusalem reaches a solution for the plight of “1.5 million Palestinians”.

Speaking to the Persian media, the Syrian leader stated five rounds of mediated talks with Israel was a litmus test of where the two countries are holding vis-à-vis serious talks towards launching diplomatic relations. He expressed a willingness and desire to advance diplomatic relations with Israel, but placed the PA issue on the table as a precondition.

Assad accuses Israel of “foot-dragging” releasing his new humanitarian viewpoint shortly after the White House has took a first step towards opening a dialogue with Damascus, which has been on the terror list of former American administrations.

In a somewhat related matter, Turkey’s foreign minister signaled his country is anxious to resume relations with Israel that existed prior to Operation Cast Lead, further stating Ankara is willing to continue acting as a mediator between Jerusalem and Damascus.

(Yechiel Spira – YWN Israel)