Netanyahu vows not to withdraw from Golan

Ahead of next week's meeting with US President Obama in Washington, prime minister makes declaration of intent during Likud ministers' meeting as to future Israel-Syria peace talks

Roni Sofer
Published: 05.10.09, 13:29 / Israel News

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who is expected to meet with US President Barack Obama next week, vowed Sunday that "Israel will not withdraw from the Golan Heights."

He spoke at a Likud ministers' forum just before the weekly cabinet meeting.

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The Golan issue was raised Sunday morning by Transportation Minister Yisrael Katz, who served until a short while ago as chairman of the Knesset's Golan Lobby.

Katz praised the prime minister for remarks he made about the northern area while speaking with editors of Russian newspapers. He asked Netanyahu to reiterate his statement as to Israel's sovereignty over the Golan Heights during the Likud ministers' meeting, and the prime minister gladly accepted and stated that he had no plans to withdraw from the Golan.

"I view this declaration as a message to the Golan's residents and to all of Israel's residents," said Katz. "The prime minister's statement carries good news to Israel's security. It is a message to the United States, the region's countries and the rest of the world.

"The message is that Israel will be ready for negotiations in the future, but that there will not be an Israeli commitment to withdraw from the Golan, so that they know the rules in advance. This message is undoubtedly very significant, on the eve of the prime minister's visit to the White House."

Netanyahu made the statement less than one day after the Obama administration decided to renew economic sanctions imposed on Syria.

Netanyahu's remark clarifies that the Turkish-mediated talks held between Damascus and the Ehud Olmert government have been frozen and would likely remain that way. The Syrians are demanding an Israeli declaration on the Jewish state's willingness to withdraw from the Golan Heights as the basis for any continued dialogue.

The prime minister has said in closed forums that he is ready to hold negotiations with Syria, without preconditions. Before the Knesset elections in February, Netanyahu visited the Golan and planted a tree there as a symbol of Israel's sovereignty over the area.

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