"Syria welcome to attend peace summit" --Officials in Jerusalem How many degrees of cynicism are we looking at here? Actually the invitation reminds me of a carnival barker urging passersby into a side show.

GOLAN is a NON -STARTER ! Olmert Rice is starting something here. As usual she will play the game at the detriment of Israel. This will be followed by a cry of blaming even the Isareli Ants as Military - Zioanist and Everything as Jewish Conspiracy.Mr. Olmert watch out. watch out, watch out ! ben singapore

Joke, or provocation ? Let's see what that species of politicians and leaders are capable to do to their own people... Irak, Darfour, Algeria, Afghanistan, Malaisia, Indonésia, Morocco...and Lebanon....and Syria.... Everybody knows, even the monkeys, how that comedy can perform.

Evertbody in the Arab world hates Assad. His only 'friend' is Iran. Don't invite him. It's a mistake.

You're probably right that politically, at least, Syria is weaker than ever. And, indeed, his only "friend" is Iran. A Syrian presence at the conference will hardly be constructive & from an Israeli point of view (but unfortunately, not our gov't's point of view), it establishes a linkage to our problem with the Golan. However, I find your comment odd, coming as you do from the epicenter of terrorist ideology. So, what is the basis for the "hatred" of the Arab world towards Assad? Is it because he's not a Muslim? Is it because he's allied with Shi'ite Iran? Surely, it's not because he's a dictator? I doubt strongly that it's because he's so anti-Israel. The whole idea of a conference is a bad idea for Israel with Syria or without Syria. From our point of view, nothing good will come of it. But we have a gov't. that in no way represents the opinion of the vast majority of Israelis. In any case, I would be interested in hearing why, in your opinion, Assad is hated by the rest of the Arab world.

Syria and Iran do not peace with Israel. http://ayatollah.blog.co.uk/