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Daniel Saunders's avatar

This is a good article, although I disagree about Syria being Israel’s “enemy par excellence.” Egypt was much more of a threat from 1948 through to the peace treaty in 1978 and Syria’s collapse into civil war in recent years turned it into an Iranian puppet.

As for the chance of peace: don’t hold your breath. I supported land-for-peace in the past, but since 7 October, I see it as a ruse used by Islamists to get land-for-more-war and am very opposed. Now I believe strongly in the Golan staying Israeli, Yehudah and Shomron (the so-called “West Bank”) staying occupied by the IDF and some kind of Israeli control over Gaza. Anything else is suicide.

(The exception to the land-for-peace rule is the Camp David Accords with Egypt, which returned the Sinai Peninsula to Egypt, but (a) this was not part of Israel-proper and (b) Egyptian President Sadat was no Islamist).

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Hutch's avatar

The Golan is Israel and must never be forfeited.

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Philippe du Col's avatar

Tel Saki is like yesterday for us old men, and "Israeli Druze leaders could negotiate a truce between al-Sharaa and their brethren in Syria" seems a fragile crystal ball. What possibly prevents the return of Eli Cohen as a token of goodwill?

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Tomas Pajaros's avatar

as we write, Syrian forces are actively involved supporting Bedouins in southern Syria (near Golan) in combat against Druze Christians; who are being actively supported by IDF air forces.

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looking closer to war than peace, at the moment.

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Craig James's avatar

As I write, the Al-Julani regime began attacking the Syrian Druze communities in southern Syria.

Prime Minister Netanyahu and Defense Minister Israel Katz have ordered a large wave of airstrikes against the regime, stating that Israel is committed to the safety of the Druze.

Sounds like more of the same to me.

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Steve's avatar

The Middle East is the Working Definition of the word Complicated.

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David Harold Chester's avatar

a sort of muddle East!

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Steve's avatar

Ain't THAT the Truth!!!

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Larry935613's avatar

Not a chance

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Ron Goldman's avatar

Don’t count on it!

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Ian Mark Sirota's avatar

One can hope that eventually, peace between the two countries can be achieved, but I agree, it won't happen anytime soon. Almost eight decades of overt hostility cannot be erased so quickly.

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Dave Bender's avatar

Thank you for this analysis, Dr. Oren - linking it in my update from earlier today and continuing to follow events closely.

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