Relying on the opinion of one man is a useless venture. The behind-the-scenes thing isn't how Sadat & Begin did it. But the behind the scenes Oslo thing was Arafat's Trojan horse. Who care what this guy's opinion is about Assad. He has so much invested (16 years ) in this that he is blindly optimistic. Besides, Assad is a schizophrenic, inbred Jew hater who is weak and can easily be toppled after the likes of Livni surrenders the Golan.

After all - they didn't miss a chance of going to war with Israel and they paid a price. Now, the Golans have been under our control more than they've been under Syrian. As fior the history ... it was a part of British mandate - and they just ceded it to French.... Syrian boundries were artificially created... it's as much illegitimate state as Jordan is... Golans are a part of the Eretz Israel.. Syrinas belong to Arabian peninsula..

It is not fair that Israel is the only country in the history of the world to win terrirory in a war of defence and then have to give it back in exchange for peace. The Syrians should be treated like the Japanese at the end of WW2: You started these wars and lost. Make peace on our terms or fade off into history...

To me; Assad looks most confused ruler of this present world! He wants to be with Ahemadinijad and don't want conflict with Israel!

The Golan was Palestine till 1922 when Britain then gave it to the French. However I think peace should be given a chance.

Dont be fooled by this liar. He's wrong on all his facts. The Golan is not Syrian land. It was never Syrian land. The Golan was part of the British mandate borders that was supposed to go to Israel. The Golan was never part of Syria before 1946. I also want to point out, Ibrahim Suleiman believes Hatay is part of Syria. Everyone read this article, which shows the difference between Turkey and Israel when dealing with terrorist Syria. Look how Turkey dealt with Syria when Syria tried to get Hatay from Turkey. http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-3347015,00.html

Yes, yes, Assad is serious. He saw the whooping Hezbollah gave Israel and thought to himself, 'If they can do it surely I can to." He wants the Golan back, of course he does. It's higher ground. Anyone who thinks Israel will have "peace" of any kind by giving up the Golan is nuts. Israel maintains a strategic advantage by keeping it. Have you noodle-brained peacniks forgot how Syria shelled Israel for years and years from the Golan Heights? You can go up there now and stand of the bunkers they used. Wake up!

"Who care what this guy's opinion is about Assad. He has so much invested (16 years ) in this that he is blindly optimistic." How can putting 16 years into a failed project make you optimistic??

No REAL Negotiators stays between them. because no place there for honesty. THEY ALL FORGET THE WORDS OF THE GOD. THEY ARE IN DEADLY WRONG. The God is witness to us, now. WE WANT TO DEVILS GO WHERE THEY BELONG OR ASK FORGIVINESS. LET WORLD PEOPLE FREE. THIS WORLD IS NOT YOURS. YOUR TIME IS JUST UP. Ahmet Atilla Karagözoğlu

Only in dreams. Until Assad is willing to walk across the Knesset floor and declare that he gives up claim the the Golan Heights and truly desires peace, then Israel can make a REAL peace deal. Shady backroom meetings do not inspire legitimacy nor validity of terms. To be truly effective, Assad should stop being a coward. I know, that small moonwalk across the Knesset ended up giving Sadat an early retirement, but, the price of great change. In the words of the office space movie "Why should we change, they're the ones who suck"

do you think you can reject all peace initiatives just because Israel has got few missiles?? come on, get out of this short sighted reasoning for once.. there are initiatives and israeli weapons and strategic advantages won't last too long, the others are too many and will get more and more angry with Israel & US blocking all their initiatives. If Israel doesn't act for once like an adult state, by deciding ALONE of its own future in the region, then I don't predict a beautiful future for its children, it's just a question of time and balance of forces. Better think a bit before spitting your arrogance, the others won't be patient for ever.

Syria cannot be taken at its word until it stops harboring terrorists, giving a place to Iranian Red Guards on its soil, and being a conduit of arms to Hezbollah and other terror groups in the PA. Then if Syria wants peace they can follow the Israeli formula and THEY CAN give up the Golan for peace with Israel.

Assad can take his "peace" & shove it up where the sun don't shine. Let them renounce claims to the Golan, maybe we can talk then. I think this article is another "plant" to continue testing the water, so to speak - just to see peoples opinion. Well, I just gave my opinion.

When someone is over invested in anything, like a gold bug whose been buying gold for 20 years and it goes nowhere, they think some day they will strike it rich. That's how. This guy thinks he came "real close" and now he can blame someone for his failure...like every other non-Jewish Middle Easterner says "It's Israel's fault!!!". Same old garbage.

"If Israel doesn't act for once like an adult state...." Outnumbered 10:1 Israel has managed , to the bitter surprise to most, to stay alive for 58 years. If that's not adult I don't know what is. But look at the Palestinian boys & girls. They act like spoiled teenagers who throw temper tantrums every time something doesn't go their way. Instead of acting like adults these children could have had a state 58 years ago and with more than the 67 borders. And each time they lost ground, battles and land in wars they started, they want a "do over" and whine "it's not fair" like little school girls. Beinem...Grow up !

Bainem, what peace initiative is Israel rejecting? I do not see a thing that Syria is offering for peace. You seem to worry about Israels future but ignore your own country, France's future. Your country is been desicrated and slowly eaten away by the muslims in your country. For a french person to talk about our arrogance is a joke. Clean your own backyard before commenting on ours. Golan will NEVER be Syrian again so forget that option.

Frankly, I don't want peace with Syria in its current shape. This country supports , arms and guides the worst enemies of my country, and all Syria wants from Israel, is Golans back. I don't want such "peace". If peace is signed:1)will we have trade with Syria?2) Will we be able to travel to Damascus and feel safe there?3) Won't Syria demand more from us? 4) Will Syria stop arming Hizb and kick Meshal out of Damascus? - The answer is "NO". We already have a sick joke of "peace" with Egypt and Jordan where Israel gave everything back, and got only contempt and hatred in return.

there is no point in making peace with assad, he could be dumped tomorrow and the place could be ruled by shiite fundamentalists who would immediately resume their war on israel, this time from the golan which sharon stupidly wanted to give them. another reason the country is safer with sharon in a coma and his son in jail !

You don't come and say "This is mine, period!" and get it. You get fist in your face. OR, alternatively, you have something to offer. The fact that you are Israeli, Palestinian, Syrian, American, Batu Negro, Aborigine or Marsian is of little importance - you get if you have something to give. And Turkey after Alexandreta colds it's ties with EU, starts closer ties with Iran and Syria, has strong pro-arab programs etc. etc. In other hands, Alexandreta for Turkey being part of Muslim world, instead of Europe.

it has been relayed to me by many israelis that their biggest problem is actually the arabs living in israel, with israeli citizenship. what happens in 30 years when arabs are close in number to the jews in israel? will the knesset be split between arabs and jews? what will happen then? also, israel has NOT been alone in its preservation (as one mentioned, 10:1) rather has had the support of the US. the US only cares about israel if it serves its interest, which may not last forever with the growing antisemitism (that jews always point out) in the US. better make peace now, because eventually, in one way or another, the balance of power is bound to shift.