Golan Heights
Golan HeightsIsrael News Photo: (file)

London-based Arab newspaper Al-Hayat reported Thursday that attempts to renew negotiations between Israel and Syria have continued behind the scenes. According to the report, Turkey, acting as a third party, recommended to the two sides to meet for a sixth round of talks. The report noted, however, that with Israeli elections fast approaching, the negotiations have been put on hold.

In the latest discussions between Israel and Syria, each asked the other for a written answer to six questions. The Israeli questions to Syria were regarding security between the two states.  Syria’s questions to Israel were regarding territorial withdrawal. According to sources, Syrian Foreign Minister Walid Muallem told Turkey that Syria wants to know Israel’s position with regard to the borders which were in place before 1967.

This report comes only a day after the Kuwaiti newspaper Al-Watan reported that Syria lauded U.S. President-elect Barak Obama’s appointment of New York Senator Hillary Clinton as Secretary of State. A source in Syria told the paper that Clinton’s appointment is a clear sign that the next American government will make an effort to try and reach an Israeli-Syrian deal in which Israel would withdraw from the Golan Heights in exchange for Syrian promises of peace. He also pointed out that Clinton’s husband, former President Bill Clinton, tried to bring about such a deal between Israel and Syria during his tenure.

Last month, Syrian President Bashar Assad accused Israel of not being interested in "making peace." Bashar said, “Israel’s refusal to meet the minimum legitimate demands of the Palestinians and the requirements for peace on the Syrian track shows that peace for it is a tactical thing, not a strategic choice.” Negotiations for an Israeli retreat from the Golan Heights had broken down between Israel and Syrian two months earlier after Prime Minister Olmert announced his resignation under the pressure of mounting investigations into corruption charges against him.