of course, the writer is correct. but, one cannot expect olmert to forcefully assert Israel's case. he is an empty suit, vacant, devoid of principles and convictions. olmert does not believe in the country and he does not believe in Zionism. the invevitable result is that he approaches every negotiation timidly, weakly, apologetically, and he allows Israel's enemies to dictate the terms of the discussion. it is disgusting. olmert could not be trusted to lead a troop of boy scouts, let alone hold the first ministry of the government.

I disagree with the writer. 1-Golan heights are syrian territories under UN and security council resolutions while Alexandreatte was not. 2- Turkey is rooted in the region while Israel was only created ~ 55 years ago and its existance remains in danger. 3- Furthermore, peace agreement with the Syrians can make Israel more secure and safe- like Taba when was returned to Egypt for peace that is still paying off.

The Golan Heights were NOT Syrian; in accordance with armistice agreements 1949 Israel received the southern part of the Golan. Syria has never accepted that and still claims to have the exclusive rights... Well well, when you repeat the same lies during so many years many people start believing them. TOO BAD!

A few more points for you to make: 1. The Golan was ceded to Syria from the Palestine Mandate as part of a French/British deal

Some more points: The Golan was ceded to Syria by France/Britain from the Palestine Mandate; No Syrians now live on the Golan, (some Druze); The Golan is part of Israel geographically (watershed); Israel has the Golan for 40 years, Syria had it for only 47 years; Syria lost its claim when Syria breached UN 242 by attacking in 1973; Israel completed its UN 242 obligation when it yielded the Damascus plain and Kuneitra after 1973; Israel has paid for the Golan and owns it (paid in blood);" Land for Peace" should mean Syria yields its demand for the Golan in exchange for Peace; Golan is as much a part of Israel as is Tel Aviv. Golanis need to start a public relations campaign now to counteract Livni, Peretz, Peres, Haaretz, etc.

Dear Islamic Reader of an Israeli newspaper, Let me first state that my family will avenge me using bullets greased in pig fat. Next, Israel used to be Canaan. According to some Egyptian guy named Pharoah, a HEBREW guy named Moses led a small army of former Hebrew slaves out of Egypt. For many centuries, so-called historians laughed at Christian and Jew alike and said we are idiots because our books talk about a city called Jericho. Well, they dug the sucker up not too long ago. AND... all the historical tablets found in that area of the world talk about fights with the Hebrews and their One God. Now, the people back then could probably tell the difference between Arabs and Hebrews. Pharoah certainly could, being that he WAS an Arab of some kind or other. So, I have to vote on the side that says the Hebrews/Jews conquered Canaan. As I once heard a clever, little Jewish kid ask, "If we are to give the land back to its rightful inhabitants, we've got to first go find some surviving Canaanites." Thus, if the Palestinians are really Canaanites, then they can make a play for what's left of Jericho. But if they are not, then they need to get over it and move or pay taxes. Also, if the land belongs to someone because of conquest, aren't the Israelis the current conquerors? So isn't it theirs by the same right as that which took it from the Canaanites? Have I missed something? Also, quit pretending you hate Jews because of Israel. Israel only became a nation in 1948. You've been trying to kill Jews for 3500 years. So what's the deal? Give it up. Also, if your god is God, why did the Jews invent Drip Farming instead of you????? And in closing... I don't know about the Golan being part of Canaan, but the Sinai Penninsula most assuredly was. Thus, it is part of Israel, too. Further, when the Grand Adviser to Pharoah, a Jewish guy named Joseph, saved Eqypt from extinction, that Pharoah gave the finest lands in Eqypt for all times to the house of Joseph. Those lands were the ones that border the Nile and were called Goshen. Thus, Goshen is really part of Israel... but only if Joseph says it's okay. So be really happy when Israel does NOT come after the lands you are illegally squatting on. Be happy that you have a home and that nobody is rocket attacking you. Israel ONLY fights in self defense. That is why America will annihilate her enemies. Have a lovely day.

FOOL, YOU DIDN'T ASK YOURSELF WHAT TURKEY GAVE SYRIA FOR ALEXANDRETA, DID YOU? YOU DIDN'T SEE THE SHARP TURN FROM EUROPE AND ALL-FOR-SUDDEN BETTER TIES WITH SYRIA, IRAN AND OTHER ARAB COUNTRIES, COLDER TIES WITH ISRAEL ETC. ETC. JUST BECAUSE YOU SAID "THIS IS MINE, PERIOD!" YOU WILL NOT - I REPEAT, NOT! - GET WHAT YOU WANT. WHO GIVES A F... YOU ARE ISRAELI? WHO GIVES A F... YOU ARE AMERICAN, SYRIAN OR ANY OTHER? YOU BETTER HAVE SOMETHING TO GIVE OR DON'T GET ANYTHING!

"Love" seeing all the trigger happy, anti-peace responders from all over the world btw. Easy enough to be right-wingers when it's not you and your dear ones getting killed in the wars in Lebanon.

We already HAVE peace with Syria through STRENGTH. Why do we want the world to 'love us'? they never will... Is Olmert Delusional or Dangerous,, or BOTH? Once again, Olmert is an embarrasment - Peace for Peace and NOT Land for Peace Olmert is trying not only to give away the Golan but the northeastern Kinneret shore to Syria. Putting Syria on the Kinnert is tantamount to suicide. Thats where Israel gets alot of its water. The shoreline and the lake were not historically part of Syria. Syria occupied them in 1948 after a war of aggression it launched against Israel. This is a no compromise issue for Israel. But then again, we see Olmert and Kadima freeing mass murderers like Samir Kuntar who smashed a girls head to death for 2 dead bodies. Speaking of Kuntar, the fascist Assad honors Kuntar. http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-3627989,00.html Its unreal how Olmert appeases terrorists and trying to give away the Jewish Golan. Jews in Israel must resist this Neville Chamberlain Olmert appeaser.

Olmert did not lift a finger to defend the Golan. There were real heroes who died to capture, then defend the Heights. Olmert never defended Israel. The Golan is Israeli as much as Tel Aviv or all of Jerusalem. Olmert go away and let us live. We will be better off without you, Kadima, Labor, Peres and Barak Subversive cells of LEFT-WING RADICALS have no right to give away our inherited homeland. East Jerusalem and the Golan are the ancestral inheritance of Jews the world over. Appeasing Hitler did not work before WW II. Appeasing modern-day enemies of the Jewish people will work no better. They will only turn the West Bank and East Jerusalem into terrorist bases from which to attack Israel, just as they did with Gaza

Excellent historical analysis. I only wish that Israel's government becomes aware of it. For starters, Peres must go. His constant offer of handing over the Golan if certain 'conditions' are met is absurd. Assad will turn the Golan into a first strike missile center. Israel will have no time to respond until thousands, if not more are dead.