Statement on Golan Issued by Israeli Newspaper Was False Yediot Ahronot statement saying PM Netanyahu called for peace talks with Syria at outbreak of civil war shown to be false. AAFont Size By Scott Krane First Publish: 10/12/2012, 2:50 PM Mine field in the Golan Heights Flash 90 Israeli Hebrew leftist newspaper Yediot Ahronot reported on Friday that Israel’s prime minister held private talks peace with the Syrian government (kept private from the Mossad and Shin Bet) through an American mediator, in which Israel offered them land concessions. However, according to the report the negotiations ended because of the civil war in Syria. Mr. Netanyahu’s office said the offer for such “talks” came from the U.S. and denied Israel had accepted it, “implying the matter was leaked to improve President Barack Obama’s image in the run-up to U.S. presidential elections.” according to Friday’s Washington Post. Earlier Friday, Arutz Sheva posted a story about the report emphasizing the government office denial. Yediot Ahronot reported that the talks were mediated by Fred Hoff Obama envoy from 2010 to early. The report explained that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu offered to return the Golan Heights to Syria as part of negotiations. The paper quoted unspecified American documents saying Netanyahu had expressed such readiness, surprising U.S. diplomats in the midst of indirect contacts they mediated with Syria two years ago, according to Reuters. According to Friday’s report in Yediot Ahronot, PM Netanyahu and defense minister Ehud Barak, were willing to give up the Golan Heights, within the time range of about two years, in exchange for a full peace treaty that and Syria’s severing its close ties with Iran. The report explained that the negotiations were conducted in deep privacy. In a statement released Friday the prime minister’s office said: “This is one initiative of many that have been offered to Israel in recent years…the initiative is old and irrelevant, and its current publication stems from political considerations.” The statement had referred to the first Netanyahu Knesset, as well as the premiereship of Ehud Barak when similar concessions were made.

That "people give nothing for nothing" . You forgot to say that Israel is the ONLY country in this region that will NOT betray the USA , the ONLY country in this region that the USA can rely on and trust

The trend of returning land and in return receiving instability from new governments is a tried and tested failure. Gaza: Israel returned all settlements and in exchange received Hamas and Jihad rockets on southern Israel towns. Egypt: Israel returned Sinai and maintained peace until Mubarak's ousting, now Morsy is 'reconsidering' and violating peace treaty by adding army into Sinai. As we all see now, if Golan was returned to Syria we would be without the Golan and with no peace treaty. Is it worth it to return lands from our already small nation for a temporary cease-fire called "peace"? I think not.

Dear Chaim, the first part of your talkback is correct. I think Israel must only make more retreats into a secure and honoured peace's agreement with her neighbors. But the second part is too erred and terrible. Your State is not imperialist. Israel; I repeat; was founded through the best principles. I am sure that they will ever be respected.

Besides, while I like Netanyahu, Lieberman is my hero.

If you thought that I composed the post at No. 3, you're a moron.

Think of the impact upon the upcoming presidential election. The leak was intended to achieve a bump in the polls for a rapidly fading Hussein Obama.

If Netanyahu thinks he can do this, God will not allow him to be leader of Israel again. What happened to Ariel Sharon when he withdrew Jews from Gaza, which God explicitly promised to the patriarch Isaac?

muslims and christians. Israel is our land and you gentiles can not accept are rights, believing we Jews should live under your despotic rule because we reject your prophets. I say go to HELL and try to become civilized like us Jews. but that may be impossible.

Israeli is stupid enough to give up Israel's rightfully owned land to any arab government/country which have proven to be transient, hostile, liars, and whose deals are not worth the paper they are written on. plenty of evidence to support this view

President Obama is gliding to a re-election by three to five points. So forget about a Mitt fantasy that is not going to happen. And be glad, for if Mitt did have a chance, Israel would be in for lots of incoming fire, probably enough to destroy the country. Wit President Obama you have the best friend ever. More money than ever, Iron Dome paid for by American tax dollars, an extra half a billion in aid. This is Israel's last best chance. If Israel fails to grasp this brass ring, bye bye state of Israel forever. And all because the wingnuts over-reached and stole all that land outside of Israel proper. Oh well, the last chance train is pulling out of the station and even Bibi recognizes that lonesome dog whistle...

This is the sort of story which can't really be verified by the reader. I tend to doubt that Bibi would trade the Rama for anything until Syria totally disarmed... and showed him some snowballs in hell.

I found the #3 post childish. Who is to know it wasn't you, tell me? Do I know you from Adam? You call me a moron? Now that IS childish.

Just a reminder that Sara B never existed. She is my depiction of a frustrated malicious old hag indulging in vicarious mayhem.

I may desagree from Mr's Sarah B some times. But she is a firm Israeli lady, with much knowledge and great dignity. She does not deserve your offensive comment. If she says that a post is not hers, all readers have to believe it. Sincerely.

....for your offensive comment. I am Christian and I love Israel and Jewish people to much. Not only me, but many other "gentiles". Radicalism and prejudice are awful. Our God is the same. Think more about it.

My immediate family is mixed Israeli-American and one of us served in the IDF and we spend a fair amount of time in Israel. We previously supported returning the Golan but after seeing what happened in Gaza and along the Lebanese border, what is the benefit? The Arabs will continue their campaign to eradicate Israel through attrition or full-scale war. Returning Gaza accomplished nothing. The Golan should remain part of Israel forever.

However, you forgot to read the entire articlle, and where it had appeared, pay attention, it was posted in Y diot

I SAID the POST was offensive. You did NOT read my words. And to call someone a moron IS stupid and childish. READ!

AMEN! Israel cannot afford to hand her head on a platter by ceding an inch of her land. It is all she has. Gaza makes the point completely.

His office is under investigation re: the unprotected assassination of four Americans, including our Ambassador. Several requests for security were refused and denied and the spin of the reason for the assassinations being a 'mob' due to a film is proved a lie by film now released showing the assassins in real time, rocket launchers and all. The office of the Presidency is slipping through his fingers due to the job being over his head. ( and, I'm being polite here. ) And by nothing being too low for this weak President to stoop to, including insisting the film was solely responsible, which, now, we all know was not the truth. Romney will make a far better President and, the majority of America and the pools, echo this sentiment.

Don t underestimate Bibi.

It's a lie about the Golan. Political trick to kill the reelection of the Prime minister. A dirty manipulation, the's all

Excuse me. The word "moron", in fact, is too offensive. Courtesy must be a basic attitude among all talkbackers. Salutes.

There is nothing more dangerous or insidious in this conflict than is the rampant censorship imposed by those who think you should only know what they want you to know. All done with the excuse of "courtesy". That's nothing but a useful blanket, it was left out so as to not offend. Land theft and rampant killing is offensive, and word still got out.

Tell that to your own politcal parties in the USA, theyre major practioners Where are HBO's College Recrds & his actual certificate of birth?

Please stand up, Please stand up.