Peace without Golan
Like Turks, Israel must show determination in dealings with Syria
Uri Heitner YNET Published: 01.01.07, 16:11
www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-3347015,00.html

Peace declarations coated by threats of war on the part of Bashar Assad,
Ahmadinejad's and Nasrallah's close partner, are met by the Israel public
with a healthy response, as it appears in the polls: Peace? Sure. But not at
the price of withdrawing from the Golan. At the same time, we see in the
media a campaign of appeasement based on the old cliché that "the price of
peace with Syria is known - the Golan." I suggest that we examine this
axiom.

Almost two years ago, a historic event happened in the Mideast that for some
reason did not publicly resonate in Israel. The Syrian regime recognized for
the first time the Alexandretta (Hatay) region as sovereign Turkish
territory after dozens of years where Syria strongly demanded Turkish
withdrawal from this area. At the same time, Syria maintains its persistent
stand that demands an Israeli withdrawal from the Golan. How can we explain
the duality in Syria's attitude to those two regions?

In both cases we're talking about two regions that in different periods
belonged to Syria, yet today they are controlled by its neighbors and Syria
viewsed them as its territory and demanded sovereignty in both of them. If
there's a difference between the two, Syria's demand for the Golan is in
fact weaker than Alexandretta. In Alexandretta, as opposed to the Golan,
there's a large Arab-Syrian population. The Golan, as opposed to
Alexandretta, constituted a base for Syrian aggression against its
neighbor - belligerence that caused Syria to lose the Golan.

The difference between the Golan and Alexandretta is not found in the Syrian
position. In both cases, the Syrian position was identical - an
uncompromising demand to "return" the area to Syrian sovereignty. In both
cases, Syria educated its citizens and children to view it as occupied
territory. In both cases, all Syrian maps showed the Golan and Alexandretta
as Syrian regions.

The significant difference is between Turkey's attitude to its land,
sovereignty and borders and Israel's attitude to its land, sovereignty and
borders. For dozens of years, Turkey was unwilling to discuss any kind of
compromise in Alexandretta. It never expressed a willingness to cede
Alexandretta in exchange for peace. It never negotiated a withdrawal from
Alexandretta. Its attitude was clear and simple - Alexandretta is ours.
Period.

For dozens of years, Turkey showed determination in safeguarding its
national objectives and strategic interests. It turns out that the
stubbornness and patience paid off. When the Syrian interest necessitated
peaceful, neighborly relations with Turkey, Syria recognized reality and in
contradiction to its pledges for dozens of years renounced its claim for
Alexandretta.

It would be appropriate for Israel to adopt the Turkish model and respect
its sovereignty in the Golan just like Turkey respected its sovereignty in
Alexandretta. Just like the Turks, Israel too must show determination and
patience. We should not discuss the Golan, negotiate over the Golan, or
agree to create any kind of link between the Golan and peace with Syria.
Just like Turkey, Israel must say that the Golan is ours. Period.

Just as was the case with Turkey, determination will pay off for Israel too.
And if a day comes where the Syrian interest is to sign a peace deal with
Israel, Syria will have to recognize reality and accept Israeli sovereignty
in the Golan. Turkey waited patiently for 66 years. We may have to wait
less.

The price is known? It's all in our head. We must change our way of thinking
and make it clear: We're ready for peace with Syria, despite our
reservations over Assad's regime, but the Syrians must know the price of
peace: They must renounce their demand to get the Golan from us.
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The writer, who is member of Kibbutz Ortal, serves as director of the Golan
Community Center