Diplomatic chatter, and talk of war between Israel and Syria are increasing once again following the Annapolis Conference.
Russia is now trying to jumpstart negotiations between Israel and Syria. Simultaneously, officials in Damascus are warning Jerusalem not to violate Syrian sovereignty.
A member of the Syrian Parliament stated that Syria could strike Israel’s nuclear facility in Dimona if Syrian sovereignty is violated in the future, according to the London based Al-Quds al-Arabi Arabic language newspaper.
Back in September, Israel struck a Syrian weapons facility during a covert airstrike.
Since Israel’s war with Lebanon in the summer of 2006, Prime Minister Ehud Olmert’s administration has been considering opening dialogue with Syria, and relinquishing Israel’s sovereign claims to the strategic Golan Heights.
Olmert has been fiercely negotiating with the United States and the Palestinian Authority over the relinquishment of Israeli control over Judea and Samaria. However, many in Jerusalem believe that these negotiations may break down, while negotiations with Syria present an alternative diplomatic course.
The Haaretz daily Hebrew newspaper reports that sources close to Olmert claim that negotiations with Syria “have higher chances of success when compared to the Palestinian track.”
Officials in Washington remain irritated over Syria’s continued cooperation with terror organizations working against American diplomatic efforts in the Middle East.
“My patience ran out on President [Bashar] Assad a long time ago,” Bush said during a White House Press Conference last week.
“The reason why,” Bush added, “is because he [Assad] houses Hamas, he facilitates Hizbullah, suiciders go from his country into Iraq, and he destabilizes Lebanon.”
American diplomatic efforts in the Middle East continue to include Syria, as the terror-supporting state was invited to participate in Annapolis.
Asked whether Syria was taking advantage of the renewed diplomatic opportunities, U.S. Secretary of State Condoleeza Rice was critical.
“Annapolis was a chance we gave Syria … So far the Syrians have failed completely.”
As Bush’s impatience with the Syrian dictator grows, Washington may support attempts by Moscow to place diplomatic pressure on Assad.
Russia has taken an interest in “facilitating” peace talks between Israel and Syria.
As the primary seller of weapons to Syria, Russia is flexing its leverage with Damascus to “facilitate” talks between Israel and Syria, and become more involved in Middle Eastern Diplomacy.
Many officials in Jerusalem believe that Moscow was influential in convincing Syria to attend the Damascus conference.
Russia is now considering an invitation to Israel and the Palestinian Authority to Moscow for a future international conference along with Quartet members: U.S., European Union, and United Nations.
