Comment: Backhand volley
As Israel and Syria launch a game of political ping-pong, the time does not seem ripe for the resumption of comprehensive peace talks, writes Imad Fawzi Shueibi
It has come to light that there was no truth in Israeli Foreign Minister Silvan Shalom's announcement that Israel had conducted secret negotiations with Syria seven months ago, and that those negotiations were broken off when news of them leaked. Israel's latest move has backfired: the "negotiations" and "leaks" are recognised as Israeli fabrications, concocted as a frenzied reaction to the Syrian peace initiative.
For years now, the Israelis have been coming up with fabricated leaks as a means to exert pressure on the various negotiating tracks. One cannot help but wonder whether Israel has become so naïve or mentally bankrupt that it is no longer capable of coming up with anything but these hackneyed games, let alone an honest attempt to talk peace.
In the first place why would Syria need a back channel for negotiations? One of the basic understandings of negotiations is that any party willing to open a secret channel of communication is also willing to make honest concessions. But Israel knows perfectly well that Syria is not prepared to accept anything less than Israel's full withdrawal to the lines of 4 June 1967, and that secret talks would only weaken its negotiating position. Moreover, why would Israel have agreed to enter unconditionally into those alleged negotiations seven months ago and yet insist on a host of prerequisite conditions today? Arguably, the purpose of such statements is to undermine Damascus's credibility.
Syria's recent "peace offensive" had Israelis scurrying to the defensive, with reactions varying from outright rejection of the initiative to obstructive delaying tactics. Indeed, one of the most bizarre suggestions was the proposal that the two parties should negotiate over entering into negotiations. Furthermore, Israel's oft-repeated demands that Syria abandon its alleged support for "terrorism" is interpreted as another ruse -- a smoke screen to cover Israel's attempt to bury the Syrian peace project.
Then came the invitation from Israeli President Ketsaz to Syrian President Al-Assad to initiate a new round of talks in Israel. After having reiterated ad nauseam that it had no Syrian peace partner, Israel was keen to paint Syria as the party that rejects that hand of peace this time.
In a move deliberately designed to antagonise Damascus, Israeli Prime Minister Sharon insisted talks must begin anew instead of resuming from where they broke off in 2000. Accepting an invitation to talks in Israel would implicitly force Syria to normalise relations with its Jewish neighbour. Predictably, Al-Assad rejected the invitation.
For some time now, Syria and Israel have been hitting the ball back and forth into each other's court. However, in his most recent volley, President Al- Assad's call to resume the peace process has precipitated considerable confusion in Israel, all the more so in view of the fact that the Israeli military has been pressuring politicians to resume negotiations with Syria. It could well be that the recent barrage of statements from Israeli politicians is their way of countering internal pressures.
