Peace with Syria a pipedream

Livni was joined at the head of this march of folly by Minister Dichter, who volunteered to return the Golan Heights for a "genuine peace." Later, a poll showed that 54 percent of the public back talks with Damascus, with a clear implication: Most of the public is willing to renounce the entire Golan in exchange for nothing.

A reminder and a lesson: In the midst of the Second World War the Soviet Union conquered four small islands, the Kuril Islands in northern Japan. Despite countless pleas on the part of the surrendering Japan, Moscow stuck to its guns: The islands are ours forever.

One of the most fascinating arguments is that "a long time has already passed since the takeover." The fact the islands' size is miniscule doesn't matter. What matters is the principle: Occupied territory would not be handed back, particularly to the losing side.

The Golan Heights' size, including Mount Hermon, constitutes roughly six tenths of a percent of Syria's overall territory (1,158 square kilometers compared to more than 185,000 square kilometers.) A giant country is staging a determined, uncompromising and patient battle over a tiny piece of land conquered by Israel, who was attacked, almost 40 years ago.

It's obvious that the Left will be quick to tell us Israel was the first to open fire. They apparently are blind to the definition according to which he who opens fire is the one leaving his opponent with only two choices – opening fire and surviving, or surrendering.

Lebanon war forgotten already?

And there, several days ago, we saw an interview with Major General (res.) Uri Saguy, "an expert on Golan matters." The joy of withdrawal was back in his voice, as if the second Lebanon war never happened, and as if what Assad is lacking is only half of a percent of his kingdom's land area.

How do we appear to the free world, which finally woke up and started fighting terror, when we reward the aggressor at any time and under any circumstances? I imagine to myself how they grab their heads in disbelief: These Jews have lost it, they don't learn a thing. What, the Golan is also home to an occupied people?

They cannot even speak Hebrew correctly. "We know the prices, we have experience in giving prices, we went in two cases vis-à-vis two countries and arranged matters," says Dichter. How embarrassing.

The defense minister also said that Israel will pay "expensive prices" in diplomatic negotiations with the Syrians. And what would be left to give the occupied Palestine, and Iran? And what if Libya and Lebanon feel like making peace? What will we give them in exchange?

There's a story about the Wise Men of Chelem, who once were discussing a gaping hole in a bridge connecting the different parts of town. Some people fell to their death while others were injured. The solution found after seven days and seven nights was to set up a hospital under the bridge, and peace again returned to town.

This is, roughly , the nature of the solutions offered by the sages of the Left for dozens of years now. You want peace? Of course, let's hand over territory? Why? Just because. After all, the only thing Israel has to offer is peace – yet she's the one required to hand over territory. The only thing the Arabs have to offer is territory – yet even this modest request is not demanded of them.

Dr. Gabi AVital is a lecturer at the Air Force's Flight Academy and a managing member of the Professors for a Strong Israel