Strong leadership and negotiation may see deal between Syria and Israel.
Syria's ambassador to Washington, Imad Moustapha. Imad Moustapha, Damascus� new ambassador in Washington, is reaching out to American Jews as part of a charm offensive launched during a low point in Syria�s relations with the West, and the United States in particular.
The United States and Israel said after high-level talks here Wednesday that the time might not be ripe for the Jewish state to resume peace talks with arch-rival Syria.
Israel does not want a war with arch-foe Syria, Prime Minister Ehud Olmert said on Wednesday after a meeting of the powerful security cabinet that focused on Damascus.
U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice and Israeli Deputy Prime Minister Shaul Mofaz discussed Syria, and the Iranian nuclear program, in a meeting Wednesday that opened an annual bilateral strategic dialogue. U.S. officials are making clear their misgivings about an early resumption of Israeli-Syrian talks. -VOA
Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert Wednesday said he's willing to negotiate directly with Syria without pre-conditions.
With tension rising on Israel's northern border with Syria, Ehud Olmert convened a special security council meeting on Wednesday morning to discuss the situation.
Former Syrian president Hafez al-Assad said during secret peace talks in the 1990s he was ready to leave a strategic Golan Heights stronghold under Israeli control, ex-prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on Thursday.
Prime Minister Ehud Olmert, seeking to defuse tensions with Syria, said Wednesday that Israel was interested in peace with Damascus and had no belligerent intentions.
TEL AVIV – Syria, aided by Iran, has deployed a strengthened army along Israel's northern border and is prepared to launch a surprise war against the Jewish state, according to senior Israeli security officials.