Four years ago, former Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Barak offered to give Syria the Golan Heights. However, the negotiations that followed failed to reach an agreement, and four years later, the Golan Heights remains in Israel?s hands.
Just hours before this past Yom Kippur, Israeli Ambassador to the United Nations, Dan Gellerman, presented the reasons why Israeli planes attacked a terrorist training camp in Syria that was connected to the recent suicide attack in Haifa. In his speech, Gellerman detailed Syria?s support for Palestinian terror, detailing each attack in which Syria had a direct role.
Here are a few of the many facts presented by the ambassador: The Islamic Jihad organization, which operates within the Palestinian Authority territory and was responsible for many of the recent attacks, has its headquarters in Damascus. Syria offers various levels of support to many terrorist organizations including Hamas, Hizbullah and the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine. In addition, Syria has even actively coordinated attacks with known terrorists.
Over state-run Syrian media, amidst the constant harangues against Israel and praises for suicide bombings, the ambassador quoted one broadcast, on state-run Damascus Radio, which boldly admitted, ?Syria, its political leadership and its Arab people have turned Syrian Arab soil into a training camp, a safe haven and an arms depot for the Palestinian revolutionaries.? Gellerman also quoted Syrian president Bashar Assad who stated on May 15, 2002, regarding acts of terror against Israelis, ?If I had not been president of Syria, I would not hesitate to participate in them.? How presidential!
Every statement by Gellerman was detailed with facts that were so overwhelming that the Security Council that had initially met to discus the condemnation of Israel for attacking the terrorist camp, decided to reconvene and discuss the matter at a future date. The damning record of Syria could not be ignored - even by the UN. Of course, one should not expect the UN to act against Syria, regardless of the accusations.
The question beckons, how would Syria use the Golan Heights if it was in their hands? Imagine that strategically invaluable and yet relatively small region of rising hills to the peaks of Mount Hermon, which overlooks Israel, Lebanon and Syria, in the hands of a dictatorship that promotes and facilitates terror against Israel. The answer is obvious.
How close Israel came to a monumental debacle with Barak?s offer. It would have been hailed as another ?diplomatic breakthrough?, with more signings, ceremonies and Israeli withdrawals, but, in the long run, it would serve as another proof of the folly of such concessions. Has granting the PA control over the territories curbed terrorism? Has Israel?s withdrawal from southern Lebanon removed the threat of Hizbullah? Has Egyptian control over the Sinai, granted by the original camp David accords of 1978, ensured that the Sinai would not become a conduit for weapons smuggling to terrorists in Gaza?
As for Syria, should Assad wake up one day and decide to wear a garment of ?moderation?, it warrants Israelis and all people of good will who oppose the terrorists and their goals to remember the present Assad and for what he stands. Israel does not need another menace from another border.
The Golan Heights, with its majestic peaks, looks over northern Israel. Many of the Syrian positions used pre-1967 to shell Israeli settlements in the Hula Valley stand upon the slopes intact, serving as reminders of how this strategic area was used when in Syrian hands. Israel?s continued hold over the Golan will not only help prevent any similar misuse of the Golan, but will allow Israel to use this vital area to vigilantly guard and protect its borders, to help ensure that the ?North? is as quiet as it can be.
The Israeli Ambassador?s words must be remembered. They have given more-than-ample reason for the Golan to remain in Israel?s hands.
Just hours before this past Yom Kippur, Israeli Ambassador to the United Nations, Dan Gellerman, presented the reasons why Israeli planes attacked a terrorist training camp in Syria that was connected to the recent suicide attack in Haifa. In his speech, Gellerman detailed Syria?s support for Palestinian terror, detailing each attack in which Syria had a direct role.
Here are a few of the many facts presented by the ambassador: The Islamic Jihad organization, which operates within the Palestinian Authority territory and was responsible for many of the recent attacks, has its headquarters in Damascus. Syria offers various levels of support to many terrorist organizations including Hamas, Hizbullah and the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine. In addition, Syria has even actively coordinated attacks with known terrorists.
Over state-run Syrian media, amidst the constant harangues against Israel and praises for suicide bombings, the ambassador quoted one broadcast, on state-run Damascus Radio, which boldly admitted, ?Syria, its political leadership and its Arab people have turned Syrian Arab soil into a training camp, a safe haven and an arms depot for the Palestinian revolutionaries.? Gellerman also quoted Syrian president Bashar Assad who stated on May 15, 2002, regarding acts of terror against Israelis, ?If I had not been president of Syria, I would not hesitate to participate in them.? How presidential!
Every statement by Gellerman was detailed with facts that were so overwhelming that the Security Council that had initially met to discus the condemnation of Israel for attacking the terrorist camp, decided to reconvene and discuss the matter at a future date. The damning record of Syria could not be ignored - even by the UN. Of course, one should not expect the UN to act against Syria, regardless of the accusations.
The question beckons, how would Syria use the Golan Heights if it was in their hands? Imagine that strategically invaluable and yet relatively small region of rising hills to the peaks of Mount Hermon, which overlooks Israel, Lebanon and Syria, in the hands of a dictatorship that promotes and facilitates terror against Israel. The answer is obvious.
How close Israel came to a monumental debacle with Barak?s offer. It would have been hailed as another ?diplomatic breakthrough?, with more signings, ceremonies and Israeli withdrawals, but, in the long run, it would serve as another proof of the folly of such concessions. Has granting the PA control over the territories curbed terrorism? Has Israel?s withdrawal from southern Lebanon removed the threat of Hizbullah? Has Egyptian control over the Sinai, granted by the original camp David accords of 1978, ensured that the Sinai would not become a conduit for weapons smuggling to terrorists in Gaza?
As for Syria, should Assad wake up one day and decide to wear a garment of ?moderation?, it warrants Israelis and all people of good will who oppose the terrorists and their goals to remember the present Assad and for what he stands. Israel does not need another menace from another border.
The Golan Heights, with its majestic peaks, looks over northern Israel. Many of the Syrian positions used pre-1967 to shell Israeli settlements in the Hula Valley stand upon the slopes intact, serving as reminders of how this strategic area was used when in Syrian hands. Israel?s continued hold over the Golan will not only help prevent any similar misuse of the Golan, but will allow Israel to use this vital area to vigilantly guard and protect its borders, to help ensure that the ?North? is as quiet as it can be.
The Israeli Ambassador?s words must be remembered. They have given more-than-ample reason for the Golan to remain in Israel?s hands.