That peace talks with Syria remain on the top of Israel's agenda, hints that prospects for a political initiative are not over yet. Americans and Europeans are not likely to apply pressure on Jerusalem to talk to Syria, so such pressure must come from people like Defense Minister Amir Peretz. It would actually help save his political neck.

Peretz's main problem - or, more accurately, ours - is that his attempts seem directed at the Israeli newspapers rather than at the leaders with whom negotiations should take place.

Agreeing to negotiate is not in itself a compromise, but merely sticking to Israel's traditional position that we are always willing to talk. Let the other party play hard to get. The real negotiations should take place bilaterally between Israelis and Syrians, and not among Israelis over Assad's true intentions.

 

to read the rest of the article on JPOST website click here.