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APN Presidential Campaign Issue Brief Number 2: Support Israel-Syria Peace Talks

American support for Israel-Syria peace is vital, just as U.S. engagement has been vital to the achievement of other Israeli-Arab peace agreements.

Significant progress in negotiating an end to the Israel-Syria conflict was achieved under Prime Minister Ehud Barak, demonstrating that there is a real chance for an agreement, if there is the political will to pursue one.  Circumstances have long been ripe for resuming these negotiations. Unfortunately, the Bush Administration has impeded such efforts.  Despite growing consensus among Israeli security officials that such talks can succeed and are consistent with Israel's own best interests, the Bush Administration has pressured Israel to adhere to its own approach of replacing diplomacy with a dogmatic refusal to engage with adversaries, and wrongly equating engagement with appeasement. 

Recently, despite U.S. opposition, Israel entered into talks with Syria, under the auspices of Turkey.  It is regrettable that the Bush Administration failed to take the lead in brokering these peace talks. Israel clearly did the right thing in pursuing its strategic interests by opening negotiations, even without the participation of the U.S.  This promising diplomatic track remains open today.  However, both Israel and Syria recognize that substantial progress toward peace awaits a new U.S. Administration that will embrace this initiative.

American support for Israel-Syria peace is vital, just as U.S. engagement has been vital to the achievement of other Israeli-Arab peace agreements.   While there are, undoubtedly, legitimate concerns about the nature and the actions of the Assad regime, Syria is a key player with respect to stability in the region and Israeli security; U.S. engagement can help determine whether the role Syria plays in the future will be positive or not.  Candidates for president should support such engagement. The next Administration, regardless of party, should act quickly to resume America's traditional leadership role in shepherding Mideast peace.

APN urges the Presidential campaigns to:  

  • Embrace a smart approach to U.S.-Syria relations that is founded on engagement and diplomacy, rather than one that relies solely on threats, sanctions, and ultimatums;
  • Enunciate clear support for the Israel-Syria peace track, recognizing that Israel-Syria peace will promote both Israeli and U.S. vital interests; and,
  • Reject any efforts to place preconditions on negotiations, pre-empt U.S. options for supporting negotiations, or block U.S. support for an agreement that such negotiations may produce.