Like other Arab leaders including PA Chairman Mahmoud Abbas (Abu Mazen), Syria President Bashar al-Assad, who recently began portraying himself as a peace-maker in the region, told Arab leaders that if peace efforts are not met with a commensurate response, violence will be used to achieve Damascus’ goals. Actually, Assad recently stated that “one way or another,” Syria would regain control of the Golan Heights.

He told an Islamic conference that “Israel was illegally created on occupied lands” and Jerusalem and the administration of Binyamin Netanyahu continues along the very same lines. In his reference to Israel as a keynote speaker, he stated “They are not peace partners”.

“First of all, let Israel return all occupied lands. If Israel refuses, the justifiable resistance will continue” stated Assad.

Assad basically dismissed any chance of renewed talks with Jerusalem in the near future after Turkish-mediated talks with the previous Israeli administration ended with the launching of Operation Cast Lead, the IDF’s counter-terrorism military offensive in Gaza.

“Netanyahu’s government is the most radical in Israel’s history. It represents a stumbling block to peace” he added, stating the mediated talks with the Olmert administration proved Israel simply is not genuinely interested in peace with her neighbors.

A number of hours earlier, Syrian Foreign Minister Walid Moallem echoed the very same words, stating Israel is not interested in true peace, insisting talks cannot be renewed prior to Israel’s total and unconditional withdrawal from the entire Golan Heights.

Moallem added that any formula for renewed talks with Israel will demand the involvement of the United States.

(Yechiel Spira – YWN Israel)