Prime Minister Ehud Olmert will visit Turkey on Monday. During his trip Olmert will meet with Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan to discuss negotiations between Israel and Syria.
Turkish officials have been mediating indirect talks between Israel and Syria. Olmert initiated contact with Syria during his term as Prime Minister to try to achieve a peace agreement. In exchange for an agreement, Syria demands the Golan region, which was taken in the 1967 Six Day War and annexed to Israel in 1981.
On Monday, Syrian officials reported that Syria had given Turkish mediators documents showing the exact territory Syria demands in exchange for peace with Israel. Syrian President Bashar Assad demands the entire Golan, up to the northeastern beaches of the Kinneret (Sea of Galilee), the officials said.
In addition, Assad reportedly demanded to know what land Israel will consider giving to Syria under a peace deal before talks continue.
Analysts say Olmert is highly interested in making significant progress in his talks with Syria and the Palestinian Authority prior to leaving office, following the February elections. Olmert may be hoping to switch to direct talks with Assad after next week's meeting with Erdogan, some said Thursday.
Many Members of Knesset have objected to Olmert's insistence on continuing negotiations with Syria and the PA despite his having lost control of the ruling party, Kadima. As Prime Minister of a transitional government, Olmert should not be allowed to make decisions with long-term consequences, they say. Attorney General Menachem Mazuz has warned Olmert that he has no legal mandate to conclude a peace agreement.