It would be really worthy for Israel to make peace with Syria and try to isolate Iran.

Now we know why we lost in Lebanon. I say raid this guy's house and see what weed he smokes!

Rabin knew that the terror will increase 10 fold. Thousands of Jews will die. Suicide bombings will became the way of life. And Hizbullah will bom the Northern Israel and many soldiers will die. I am not sure if he also knew about several bombings in US, the 9/11, and the start of Jihad. He probably knew this as well. The only unexpected thing was the Nobel Prize with Arafat and his beloved friend Peres.

Its difficult not to be insulted by the frivolity in which you color in your map with crayons. No where in your article do you discuss the importance of the Golan strategically as well as hydrologically. Israel ownership and possession of the Golan is the biggest deterrence to attack (peace is not a deterrence) from Israel's numerous enemies The Golan has the main hydrologic and hydrogeologic (if you dont know these words you had no business writing this article) sources for all the water supplies in Israel. Article after article from Ynet showcases ignorant frivolous leftist jibberish about peace with no appreciation for the danger you want to put the country in.

The attitude must change from working against Syria to working with Syria. Punishing Syria has Not worked!!

The author of this article needs to take a history lesson. The Golan was promised to the Jews in 1922 and unfairly given to Syria in 1946. Israel regained the GOLAN 40 YEARS AGO. i live in the Northern Golan with my family and I will NOT leave!

That is a rhetorical question -- no answer really required. Make Assad an offer he cannot refuse? What offer? Give him Golan for a worthless promise.? Didn't Israeli surrender squad learn anything from Oslo? It is abundantly obvious that it is enough for the Arabs to sit quietly, offering nothing, and all those brilliant Israeli 'negotiators' will keep coming to them, offering more and more of their country on a platter, in return for absolutely nothing. Why doesn't the author cut his own throat, if he is tired of life, and let the Israelis go on with their lives -- after all not all in Israel subscribe to this suicide pact. Some actually are building and hoping for future. I pray daily for Israel's hope – those kids dressed in orange.

it just should be quite a different offer -- should be an ultimatum: behave or die. The carrot should be allowing Syria and its leaders to go on breathing, not Golan.

Weren't the tragedies of Katif District in Gaza strip more than enough for one generation ??? The Golan Height is populated with thousands of loyal israelis who will absolutely not withdraw from the land they've cultivated for years . How dare you suggest giving up so easily ???

Great article, compelling analysis, logical arguments. The US missed an opportunity right after 9/11 to reach out to radical but secular Syria and lure it away from its alliance with Islamist Iran. Let's hope it's not too late. Rabin was right. So was the late Nahum Goldmann, whom I knew and admired. The chairman of the World Jewish Congress--one of Israel's architects and a towering personality in organized Jewish life for decades--consistently argued that time worked against Israel. Therefore, a political solution to the conflict with the Arabs was crucial. But even this great Zionist visionary did not foresee the rise of radical Islam. The Arab/Palestinian-Israeli conflict has been Islamized. Non-Arab Shiite Iran is managing to bridge the divide with Islam's Sunni branch in one respect--hatred for Israel. The time for deals--real deals--with Syria and the Palestinians is long overdue. Again, let's hope it's not too late....

There is too much focus, talk and fuss on appeasing and wooing the Assads and too little about the bitter sacrifices that Syria must make to get what they seek.

Would you give up your home in America? Think about it. You have got some nerve suggesting that I should give up my beautiful home in the Golan for a worthless piece of paper from the dictator Assad. My child goes to nursery school in Kastrin and she sings and dances to Hebrew songs only meters away from the ancient Jewish city of Kastrin where thousands of years ago other Jewish children sang and danced to Hebrew songs. The Golan is ours!

before and during the first US/Iraq war. The US had sacrificed Lebanon for the good will of Syria and got squat in return, which in my humble opinion is what we deserved for our moral lapse. There is only one solution possible to satisfy Arabs, and they have often stated it --it is for Israel to disappear. Are you suggesting Israeli self-destruction? No, you don't make deals with the people who want to destroy you, you destroy them first. Otherwise, Israelis will simply negotiate their own demise. Just like there could be no negotiations with Hitler, so, you cannot negotiate with Arab seculars, like Syria, who are in fact fascists, or Muslims, who are fascist- like. Once Israel accepts those facts, victory will become possible. This is also a valid lesson for the rest of us -- either we'll begin to call the enemy by the right name, or we'll continue to fail in out fight against "terrorism."

I truly think you are the one smoking weed not Assad. Very poor journalism and full of holes. Israel NEEDS the Golan for security from the very people you want to make an offer they can't refuse. Sober up buddy!

Bush is a pig-headed idiot and now even the Israelis see it. What friends does he have left? Tony?

Many of us praised him but in retrospect he brought us only more problems. He was perhaps a fine general and we thank him for Entebbe but as a politician he failed us. His weakness ? He did not understand the Arab mentality in part because of his origin. I hope Lieberman understands better !

It is always easy to dictate that Israel should make peace with its hostile bordering arab neighbors. These comments are always brought about by those who have little or no insight whatsoever as to what is happening in the region. Yes, everybody pressures Israel to have peace with its arab countries...let me ask you this: Would you really make peace with someone who holds a dagger behind their back? Syria is a strong supporter and hosts many factions of terrorist organizations...they clearly indicate to the world where they stand when it comes to peace. So what is Israel to do? Make peace with a regime that supports terrorist organizations committed to eradicting Israel...hmm...not the type of peace partner I would want. The truth is that Israel yearns to have peace in the region and has gone to great lengths to materialize this to fruition. Israel doesn't need total trust from its neighbors...they would accept a "cold" peace with thme as we have with Egypt. They do not need strong ties...just leave Israel alone and Israel will accomodate likewise. The only aggression Israel shows is when its security is at risk. If israel felt that its arab neighbors really wanted a true peace with it rather than trying to destroy it...Israel would bend over backwards to achieve a true peace accord. That is the truth.

Assad is not a democratically elected leader. Nor is he a King acting as head-of-state. He is an eye-doctor turned dictator. Son of a tyrannical dictator. He is not an intelligent leader trying to represent the needs of his people. He is a man trying to hold on to power and enforce his will. Assad may rule Syria his entire life. Then again, his rule may end tommorrow. How exactly is a lasting peace forged under those conditions? AND WHY on earth would you hand him the Golan? It's part of Israel. It's been part of Israel much longer than it ever was part of Syria.

This is the same reasoning that led to the US effort to bring democracy to Iraq. What planet does the writer live on?

I completely concur with #8. As an authority on the Middle East I am amazed at ‘Yossi Ben Ari’ lack of knowledge on the subject matter. Is his type still teaching at the Nat. Security College? No wonder Israel is in such precarious situation depending on the will and the demands of the USA. ‘Yossi Ben Ari’ go open a book on the Golan and do not show your ignorance here!

Let's extend an invitation to both Bashar and Nasrallah for peace negotiations. I would simply add that this invitation should be delivered to their personal bunkers by several ground divisions of the IDF.

If the Syrians are such peace-loving people, certainly they would be willing to give up the Golan in return for peace. Peace is worth any price, right, as long as it's Israel that pays.

I think not somehow.

He should start talking to someone soon. He doesn't communicate very well. Sometimes I think he speaks with bitterness in his heart. Where did we find him, anyway? (ramblings...)