The following statements and international communication messages and their timing could be a small miscommunication. But it could also be a bad part of the history of our time. These miscommunication practices could simply begin a good start for the next war in the Middle-East.
Friday, 18th April: Prime Minister Ehud Olmert told Haaretz last week in an interview “I know exactly what the Syrians want and I think the Syrians know what the State of Israel and I expect from the peace process.” In an interview for Passover, Olmert also said that ” Whoever threatens Israel would be terribly sorry for the results”.
Saturday, April 19th: Former US president, Mr. Jimmy Carter held discussions in Syria to propose an exchange of soldiers between Hamas and Israel that would lead to the release of Gilad Shalit, an IDF solider who was kidnapped last year. Hamas officials said that, “Shalit won’t see his parents unless Israel returns/withdraws to the 67′ lines”.
Sunday, April 20th: Syrian president, Mr. Bashar Assad, confirmed that he exchanged messages with Israel. According to Syria’s official news agency, SANA, Syria is interested in having a third party explore the possibility of resuming peace talks.
Sunday, April 20th: According to the Associated Press, Assad echoed these comments Sunday, saying “Israel knows well what is accepted and not accepted by Syria.”
Monday, April 21st: Hamas political chief Khaled Meshal said that he will announce his organization’s decision over former U.S. President Jimmy Carter’s truce proposals on Sunday. The time frame for this matter was set on Thursday, April 24th. Meshal also said that Hamas’ Damascus-based leadership was consulting with the organization’s Gaza leadership over the issues that came up in Friday’s meeting.
Monday, April 21st: Assad said to his league members that “Syria will remain a country of resistance to the US, and Israel” (Associated Press).
Monday, April 21st: Assad stated, “Syria is ready for war with Israel”. The Associated Press later declared that in a meeting with his party supporters (Syria’s ruling Baath Party officials) Assad claimed that nevertheless his country is not interested in such war.
Tuesday, April 22nd: IDF Chief Commander claims that movements of the Syrian army are not of a pre-war nature. The possibility for war with Syria remains low.
Tuesday April 22nd: “Syria rejects secret [direct] talks or contacts with Israel… Anything Syria does in this regard will be announced to the public,” Assad was quoted as saying. (www.haartez.co.il)
Tuesday April 22nd: King Hussein of Jordan asks US President, Mr. Bush, to delay his arrival to Israel on May (For the country’s 60th celebration) because of the current poor peace efforts and Israel treatment of Abbas’ (The Palestinian) government and situation in Gaza.
Some background for this matter:
Negotiations broke off in 2000 after Syria rejected Israel’s offer to return the Golan Heights, which it captured in the 1967 Six-Day War and later annexed. Syria wanted Israel to withdraw to the prewar line on the eastern shore of the Sea of Galilee. But Israel wasn’t prepared to give up any control of the lake that provides about half of the country’s drinking water. This major issue would have to be voted by the public. Former Prime Minister, Mr. Ehud Barak, while leading his Labor Party on 2000, announced this plan.
Despite the peace overtures, tensions have been high between the two countries in recent months, largely because of the Israeli air-strike on a Syrian military facility last September which was never confirmed by the Israeli government. The UN investigates the issue, while other foreign reports have said the target was a nuclear installation Syria was building using a North Korean assistance.
Lately, officials in Damascus deny having a nuclear program, and North Korea says it was not involved in any such project. Syria did not retaliate for the attack but filed a complaint within the UN Security Council.
The last clashes between the countries, although indirectly, were in 2006 – the Second Lebanon War. Both Syria and Israel have expressed a willingness to renew talks since Israel’s war against Hezbollah militia. Ehud Olmert, Israel’s current Prime Minister has insisted that if Syria is serious about peace, Damascus must withdraw its support for Hezbollah and the Palestinian militant group Hamas (While their leader, Mashal, operates freely from Damascus).
The sad thing is that those interested in war are not the country’s leaders (from either side), but rather a minority militant group which opposes any contact with the West. All of the recent tactics and tension fit to those militants strategy and serve their interest. This is just another non-reasonable clash between Israel and its neighbors, when none remember after one hour, why we are fighting.
Conclusion: In such a sensitive, flammable environment, one would expect a more careful choice of words.
With all due respect for Mr. Carter’s job as “Informal Chief-Mediator”, and to Mr. Assad, the Syrian leader who actively contributes to the area’s instability and the poor life of many of the region’s citizens, and to King Hussein, who despite having a significant influence in the Arab World did very little to effect major radical movements and basically, doesn’t put dirt on his hands, I say:
Mr. President, When you say No, What do you mean?
And just for a finale, a joke for Passover:
Q: What is the best known gentleman club in Egypt?
A: The Gaza Strip…
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6 Comments
Oren, what did Carter expect to occur as a result of his visit?
These happening are very interesting as I feel that Olmert anticipates a war to defend Israel when he says “Whoever threatens Israel would be terrible sorry for the results”. I am unsure of resume regarding war, but it doesn’t sound like he is a Dove, in regards to the Second Lebanon War. And his Warhawk-ish ways wouldn’t be a good combination for peace with Syria and Jordan.
With Syria making bold statements like being ready for war and remaining hostile to peace efforts, I think that there will be a traditional battle between the Arab nation and Israel. Perhaps an attack on the Sabbath this upcoming Friday night or Saturday morning during Passover week. (It definitely wouldn’t be out of character to attack on a religious holiday.)
All in all, Oren, I think this is a great article on Carter igniting an already dangerous situation.
Andrew: I am not sure about it, but I would guess that secret talks where held mainly around the kidnapped soliders issue. Besdie, it would be easy for both parties to use American intermediator.
Oren, do you think we (the US and/or Israel) should not only negotiate, but also deal with Hamas since it is a terror organization?
Hamas is labeled as a terrorist organization because of their cowardly military tactics. All the more reason to negotiate with them so that they stop killing your innocent civilians. It is irresponsible of the governments who choose not to attempt negotiations for peace.
Anyway, what is wrong with Israel pulling back to the 1967 lines? That is the gift they were given by the UN, and I think it was a more than generous offer in the first place. The fact that the drinking water comes from Golan Heights is not Syria’s problem, it was their land and was not given to Israel by the UN, it was taken through violence. And now you expect them not to threaten violence back? Come on, Oren, you must admit your bias on this topic leads you to tell one side of the story all too often.
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