According to a report from al-Arabiya, during his meeting in Paris this week with French President Nicolas Sarkozy, Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu relayed a message to Damascus, informing Syrian President Bashar al-Assad that he is willing to withdraw from the Golan Heights. The report actually states the prime minister signaled Israel understands that such a move is required, adding that the details of the withdrawal must be discussed.

Al-Arabia explains that President Sarkozy would present an offer to Assad that “would replace Prime Minister Yitzchak Rabin’s commitment”.

Officials in the Prime Minister’s Office on Thursday morning released an official response, denying the prime minister sent such a message, stating the report is not based in reality.

Earlier this week, Assad released a statement that if the Golan is not returned in a peaceful arrangement, then “resistance” would be viewed as a legitimate means towards accomplishing this goal.

(Yechiel Spira – YWN Israel)