No need for mediators
Yoel Ben-Nun offers different formula for direct peace negotiations with Syrians
Part 2 of analysis
Syria's president keeps on challenging us with his desire to achieve peace. However, what is the essence of peace in the Syrian language? Bashar Assad states it clearly: The reinstatement of Syria's just rights; that is, returning the land.
Thus far, nobody stood up around here to openly declare that their rights are completely dependent on our rights – please tell us, Mr. Assad, do you recognize the just rights of the Jewish people for any territory in the Land of Israel? And if so, where?
Should Syria recognize our just rights, which means complete rejection of the notion of "absolute Palestinian justice all across Palestine," then we should indeed be talking to them about the (internationally recognized) border between us. Yet if they are unwilling to do it, and it's important to ensure that Europe and America also hear their response, we can still keep talking about maintaining the quiet on both ends of the border; security vis-à-vis security, and peace based on compromises made by both sides, etc.
In order to present an appropriate framework for dignified negotiations based on equality, there is no need for any secret mediators, neither from Turkey nor from France, which merely cause further complications. Syria's president is right about one thing: Dignified talks must be held openly and can be covered by the media. There is no reason for any kind of mediation.
People have told me that my path will never lead to peace, "because you are asking them to make ideological concessions they will never agree to make." My response to that is as follows: We've been adopting your path for 40 years now, and there's no peace. There will be no peace in another 40 years, because without mutual respect there is no chance for peace in the Middle East.
At this time, we are not adopting this policy either on the "Left" or "Right", because one side endorses any concession, while the other side rejects concessions.
And as without honor there are no rights, the only way to engage in talks on the release of abducted IDF soldier Gilad Shalit is to insist on trading him for one prisoner only. As Hamas able to abduct one of our soldiers, it has the right to choose one detainee it wants to see released; even the most "heavy-duty' prisoner. However, they must get no more. As noted, without honor there are no rights, and there is no peace.
